Larger community foundations tend to have higher proportions of assets in donor-advised funds, which, in combination with holding more in non-endowed assets, reflect an ability to provide flexible philanthropic vehicles to donors.
Averages were used to total 100 percent. (n=255)
Smaller community foundations tend to have a much higher proportion of endowed assets than their larger counterparts, as do younger and emerging community foundations concentrating on growth. Community foundations in Indiana, many of whom were established through the Lilly endowment and occupy the two smaller asset size bands, are well-represented here.
The concentration of high net worth donors in large urban centers is reflected in per capita gift and grant totals at larger community foundations. (n=260)
While the median community foundation saw a 1.3% decrease in gifts received from FY 2015-FY 2016, the median in 2017 was a 7.1% increase. Changes in gift totals tend to vary greatly from year to year and among community foundations; nearly 40% of all respondents saw gift totals change by more than half in either direction.
Focusing on asset, gift, and grant totals for the Top 100 largest community foundations allows for a consistent sample, which remains reflective of overall field growth trends. As noted above, significant asset growth is observed, while gift and grant totals saw relatively more modest increases over 2016 levels. Still, gift and grant totals for this group both reach new highs.
Data reflects the largest 100 community foundations by asset size as of FY21 and includes those within the cohort whose data are available for all 10 years represented. (n=98)