Community Foundations

Community foundations are grantmaking public charities that are dedicated to improving the lives of people in a defined local geographic area. They bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective nonprofits in their communities. Community foundations vary widely in asset size, ranging from less than $100,000 to more than $1.7 billion.

Community foundations play a key role in identifying and solving community problems. In 2017, they gave an estimated $5.48 billion to a variety of nonprofit activities in fields that included the arts and education, health and human services, the environment, and disaster relief. The Community Foundations National Standards Board confirms operational excellence in six key areas—mission, structure, and governance; resource development; stewardship and accountability; grantmaking and community leadership; donor relations; and communications. Foundations that comply with these standards can display the official National Standards Seal. Currently, over 500 community foundations have earned the seal.

More than 900 community foundations operate in urban and rural areas in every state in the United States; currently, approximately 350 are members of the Council on Foundations. The community foundation model also has taken hold around the world. Community foundations have participated in the growth of international giving by U.S. foundations in recent years, with international giving by community foundations more than tripling, from $103 million in 2011 to $315 million in 2015, and community foundations' share of overall international giving by U.S. foundations more than doubling, from 1.4 percent in 2011 to 3.4 percent in 2015.

You can use our Community Foundation Locator to view a list of community foundations in the United States.

Below is everything on our site for community foundations. We highly recommend that you use the navigation or our search feature to find what you're looking for on our site. Please also visit cof.org/community-foundations for curated community foundation content. 

Sustained Collaboration Funders Convening

Hosted by Sustained Collaboration Network (SCN) Funders have been coming together in communities across the country to collectively fund nonprofit collaboration in order to help nonprofits meet increased demand for services, achieve economies of scale, or navigate high-stakes executive…

Building the Durability of Detroit’s Youth-Serving Institutions

Something new is happening in Detroit. The local donor community recently launched the Michigan Central Station Children’s Endowment Initiative (MCSCEI) to ensure that the most critical youth-serving institutions are set up to support the community for the long haul. Ten nonprofit agencies will…

Building Strong Communities Across Divides

Community and place-based foundations are building common ground in the communities they serve. The intended audience for this session is leaders of community and place-based foundations who are curious about what they can do to help bridge divides constructively. Participants will leave…

The Community Foundation of Louisville’s 10-Year Journey into Impact Investing

The Community Foundation of Louisville will discuss the evolution, challenges, and learnings from its 10-year impact investing practice. Foundation staff, donors, and investees will discuss how the newest iteration of the impact investing program, Invest Louisville, is using innovative strategies…

Building Grassroots Impact and Sustainability by Reimagining Fiscal Sponsorship

In 2018, the largest fiscal sponsor in Baltimore, serving over 150 independent projects, started showing signs of fiscal mismanagement. Ultimately, the organization pulled out of fiscal sponsorship, causing harm to dozens of mostly Black-led community organizations that were unable to recover these…

The Role of Community Philanthropy in Advancing Immigrant Inclusion

Local foundations play a critical role in fostering welcoming environments for immigrants. This session explores how philanthropy can support immigrant inclusion through investments, partnerships, and programming. Leaders from the Walder Foundation and Welcoming America will share examples, lessons…

Building Capacity Through Pooled Funds

Discover how pooled funds and collaborative grantmaking foster nonprofit resilience by supporting key capacity-building activities, such as executive transitions and sustained collaboration. This session will  highlight how funders can flexibly support nonprofits through intermediary giving…

The Role of Place Based Funders in Keeping People and Communities Safe

When someone is harmed by those meant to support them, an organizations’ inability to prevent abuse receives intense public scrutiny, as seen with cases such as U.S. Gymnastics and the Boy Scouts. But what is the role of foundations in ensuring that their grantees are preventing harm? How do you…

Building Bridges for a Vibrant Future

This session will explore how national place-based funders play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community through collaboration. Participants will learn from case studies from local service partners that illustrate successful strategies for community engagement and practical tools for…

Building a Culture of Dialogue Across Differences - SOLD OUT

Hosted by Council on Foundations Participants in this half-day workshop will be introduced to Resetting the Table’s celebrated approach to developing the tools to build a culture of productive dialogue on charged issues even in the face of strong differences. Participants exchange views and…

Transformative Philanthropy in Native American Communities

This discussion will explore sustainable investments in Native communities, Native Nations, and Tribal-led programs. It will highlight transformative initiatives led by Native Americans in Philanthropy and the Bush Foundation. Panelists will discuss their process of grantmaking based on extensive…

Bold Strategies to Uplift Humanity in Uncertain Times

Philanthropic institutions are facing mounting challenges in their pursuit of a just world for all. Foundation leaders must confront these legal, communication, and reputational risks head-on support the communities they serve. In this session, tailored for CEOs, participants will learn about…

Understanding Heirs' Property Issues and Opportunities

Heirs’ property is inherited property that has been passed down without a will or other legal instruments and affects a family's ability to maintain stable housing and build intergenerational wealth. Present in all ethnic groups and geographies, it is concentrated in those with lower incomes or…

Affordable Housing Is a Group Project

The session would be focused on the centrality of collaborative, braided funding (public, private, philanthropic) and other resources for affordable housing to effectively address our nation's lack of affordable housing supply. This session is for foundation leadership and staff working on systems…

Opening Plenary Session: United in Giving, Then and Now

Approaching its 250th anniversary, our nation has the opportunity—and the obligation—to reflect: How can these United States truly recognize the contributions of all who live here? And how can we work together on the path toward our ultimate goal: a multiracial, multicultural democracy where…

Advancing Health and Wealth Equity Through a Community-Centered Economic Inclusion Model

Community-centered economic development frameworks drive more accessible economic growth.  These frameworks take an interdisciplinary approach to community development, address social determinants of health, and require collaboration between stakeholders to create grassroots change. Learn…
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