Gain access to our online member directory, where you can connect with peers, attend in-person Council events, and join our online networking platform, the Philanthropy Exchange.

• Open Exchange – Contribute, connect, and learn from peers in this member community designated for staff from all foundation types. This is the best place to get valuable perspective from a broad range of audiences.
• Communications – Engage with other philanthropic communications strategists and gain valuable resources and tools to help share your foundation’s story and convey the meaningful impact of your work.
• Finance and Admin – Learn more from your peers about the varying complexities of financial management, fund accounting, gift acceptance, and fiscal operating practices. This community is designed for foundation staff who serve in finance and administrative roles.
• Programs – As communities need change, it is essential for program professionals to have a space to ask questions and share their concerns and thoughts regarding programmatic strategy and sharing a foundation’s core mission. This community is designed for staff who deliver programs, nonprofit services, grantmaking and community impact.
• Scholarship Exchange – Learn and share scholarship policies, processes, and opportunities with peers, and discuss how to leverage tool to play a more impactful role in giving.
• Human Resources – Participate in peer-to-peer conversations with HR, Culture, and Talent leaders in philanthropy to discuss best practices and new ideas related to talent management, organizational culture, and other operational functions.  
• Global Grantmaking – Discover resources and hear from peers on topics related to effective cross-border grantmaking.
• General Legal Counsel – This community is designed for legal counsel at all member organizations. Dive deeper into the unique legal and compliance issues facing foundations.
• Policy & Advocacy – This community is designed for members interested in policy and advocacy. Share national and state policy actions, promote resources, and facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing with other philanthropic policy and government affairs staff.

Take advantage of member-exclusive discounts on trainings and capacity-building programs to deepen your learning, including conferences, summits, in-person workshops, and webinars.

• Apply for  Career Pathways, an intensive leadership development program designed for mid- to senior-level career professionals committed to strengthening their practice and building connections within the sector.
• CEOs and human resources staff can consider attending our annual HR Retreat.
• Staff engaged in public policy work can consider attending our annual Public Policy Summit.
• Keep an eye on our Events page to find more opportunities to expand your knowledge.

Our extensive legal library contains many helpful resources that are relevant to public grantmaking charities of all shapes and sizes.

• Understand the rules around accepting cryptocurrency donations.
• Dive deep into the rules of global giving  through our Legal Compendium chapter, International Grantmaking: A Guide For Funders Making Grants Outside The United States.
• Explore the different types of fiscal sponsorship and how to avoid common challenges with our model.

The Council often convenes members in working groups, task forces, and committees to help inform our work and ensure that it reflects sector needs. Recent opportunities for involvement include:

• Awards Selection Committee
• Board of Directors
• Public Policy Committee

Reach out to the Engagement Team to explore ways you can volunteer your expertise.

Work with our Government Affairs team to build your capacity to advocate on behalf of nonprofits and your community and inform the Council's public policy agenda.

Remain up to date on the challenges and opportunities shaping philanthropy and share stories about your organization's impact through exclusive communications, including our members-only e-newsletters.

• Grantmaker Salary And Benefits Survey (GSB) - Since 1980, the Council's Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey has provided the sector with the most comprehensive data on staff composition and compensation in the United States. Grantmakers rely on this annual report to plan budgets, benchmark personnel policies and practices, determine salary levels for new and existing staff, and more.
• Values-Aligned Philanthropy -Anti-democratic extremism, hate speech, and politically motivated violence are on the rise. With policymakers, journalists, and activists seeking to determine how hate groups are funded, philanthropic organizations have come under a magnifying glass. Our members have been actively engaged in addressing the issue of hate funding, including by sharing their resources and asking for additional insight.
• A Guide to Advocacy, Lobbying & Election Related Activity: Navigating the Rules - This guide will help you understand the federal tax laws and regulations that govern how, when, and to what extent different types of foundations can engage with policymakers, their staff, or candidates running for public office. It also covers the distinction between what advocacy activity that you as a foundation can do, that your staff can do, and that your grantees can do with your support.

Gain access to our online member directory where you can connect with peers, attend in-person Council events, and join our online platform, the Philanthropy Exchange.

For Executives:

• Private Foundation Executives Exchange

For Investments and Finance Staff:

• Finance and Admin – Learn more from your peers about the varying complexities of financial management, fund accounting, gift acceptance, and fiscal operating practices. This community is designed for foundation staff who serve in finance and administrative roles.
• Scholarship Exchange – Learn and share scholarship policies, processes and opportunities with peers, and see how you can leverage this tool to play a more impactful role in giving.

For Programs and Global Staff:

• Programs – As communities need change, it is essential for program professionals to have a space to ask questions, share concerns, and connect around programmatic strategy. This community is designed for staff who design and deliver programs, nonprofit services, grantmaking, and community impact.
• Global Grantmaking – Discover resources and hear from peers on topics related to effective cross-border grantmaking.

For Legal and Policy Staff:

• General Legal Counsel – This community is designed for legal counsel at all member organizations. Dive deeper into the unique legal and compliance issues facing foundations.
• Policy & Advocacy – This community is designed for members interested in policy and advocacy. Share national and state policy actions, ask questions, and facilitate peer-to-peer knowledge sharing with other philanthropic policy and government affairs staff.

For Communications and HR Staff:

• Communications – Engage with your fellow philanthropic communications strategists to gain valuable resources and tools to help share your foundation’s story and convey the meaningful impact of your work.
• Human Resources – Participate in peer-to-peer conversations with HR, culture, and talent leaders in philanthropy to discuss best practices and new ideas related to talent management, organizational culture, and other operational functions.

Take advantage of member-exclusive discounts on trainings and capacity-building programs to deepen your learning, including conferences, summits, in-person workshops, and webinars.

• Apply for Career Pathways, an intensive leadership development program designed for mid- to senior-level career professionals committed to strengthening their practice and building connections within the sector
• CEOs and staff responsible for HR should consider attending our annual HR Retreat
• Foundation staff engaged in public policy work should consider attending our annual Public Policy Summit
• Keep an eye on our Events page to find more opportunities to expand your knowledge

Boost your understanding of sector-specific legal issues and access our regularly updated Legal Compendium and Legal Resources team to stay in the know on legal matters impacting the sector.

• Private foundations seeking to better understand the limits of engaging in lobbying and policy work can read our Legal Compendium chapter, A Guide To Advocacy, Lobbying & Election Related Activity: Navigating The Rules
• Staff responsible for investments or compliance with the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) can dive deeper in our guide to Foundation Finance And Investment Management
• CEOs and trustees may read our guidance on Conflicts of Interest and the rules around self-dealing
• Receive direct consultation support from our Legal Team

The Council often convenes members in working groups, task forces and committees to help inform and shape our work. Recent opportunities include:

• Awards Selection Committee
• Board of Directors
• Public Policy Committee

Reach out to the Engagement Team to explore ways you can volunteer your expertise.

Work with our Government Affairs team to build your capacity to advocate on behalf of nonprofits and your community and inform the Council's public policy agenda.

Simplifying the Private Foundation Excise Tax – For decades, the Council has advocated for a simplified version of the excise tax. In December 2019, the private foundation excise tax was modified from the historical two-tiered system to a flat rate of 1.39%. when H.R. 1865 (116th Congress) passed on December 20 and took effect upon President’s signature.

Reach out to our Government Affairs team to learn more to learn more.

Remain up to date on the challenges and opportunities shaping philanthropy and share stories about your organization's impact through exclusive communications, including our members-only e-newsletters.

Grantmaker Salary And Benefits Survey (GSB) - Since 1980, the Council's Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey has provided the sector with the most comprehensive data on staff composition and compensation in the United States. Grantmakers rely on this annual report to plan budgets, benchmark personnel policies and practices, determine salary levels for new and existing staff, and more.

Council On Foundations & Commonfund Study Of Investment Of Endowments For Private And Community Foundations (CCSF) Report - The CCSF report is the field’s most comprehensive and authoritative study on investment and governance policies and practices. The 2020 CCSF studies 260 private and community foundations, representing $115.4 billion in assets. Topics covered include:

• Returns and investment objectives
• Asset allocation and responsible investing criteria
• Responsible investment practices
• Fund flows, spending, and gifts
• Resources, management, and governance

Receive personalized support from Council staff on issues ranging from fundamentals of operating a foundation to global grantmaking, as well as access to our members-only grantmaking resources center on cof.org.

The Executive Network of Midsize Foundations is a member-only peer group for CEOs, Presidents, and Executive Directors at family, independent, operating, and other private grantmakers with less than 20 staff members.

This network is designed to connect you with your peer foundation leaders across the country to build meaningful relationships and provide a consistent opportunity for you to engage in collaborative troubleshooting in a trusted environment.

Convene and engage with grantmakers across the philanthropic sector and your corporate grantmaking peers.

• Utilize our online member directory to connect with industry peers.
• Interact with industry peers online through our Philanthropy Exchange.
• Join the member-only Corporate Grantmakers Exchange
•  Discuss issues in cross-border grantmaking in the Global Grantmakers Exchange

Deepen your knowledge of philanthropy and grow your career through trainings and cohorts.

• Apply for Career Pathways, an intensive leadership development program designed for mid- to senior-level career professionals committed to strengthening their practice and building connections within the sector
• Register for our legal training series, Legal Matters for Corporate Foundations

Learn compliance standards, governance, and tax regulations from our Legal Team.

• Receive answers to questions on a wide range of topics, such as self-dealing, purchasing tickets to fundraisers, or administering international gifts.
• Access to the Council’s Legal Compendium, which includes Legal Considerations for Corporate Foundations.
• Receive direct consultation support from ourLegal Team.

The Council often convenes members in working groups, task forces, and committees to help inform and shape our work. Recent opportunities include:

• Awards Selection Committee
• Board of Directors
• Public Policy Committee

Reach out to the Engagement Team to explore ways you can volunteer your expertise.

Research, best practices, stewardship principles, and other curated content to increase your impact and efficiency.

• Read our report, Navigating Mergers & Acquisitions: Guidance For Corporate Philanthropy Leaders.
• Explore all resources relevant for Corporate Grantmakers.
• Stay in touch and read the latest trends in corporate giving via our newsletters.

Community Foundation leaders, staff, board members, and others wanting to learn more can exchange ideas, perspectives, and information about the issues that matter most to them – and to the philanthropic sector as a whole – on the Philanthropy Exchange.

• Community Foundation Executives – Recognizing the responsibilities of foundation executives, the Exchange has created a space designated for community foundation leaders to share ideas, resources, and leadership opportunities with peers. This community is open to CEOs and Executive Directors at community foundations, regardless of Council membership status.
• Communications – Engage with other communications strategists and learn about valuable resources and tools to help share your foundation’s story and convey the meaningful impact of your work.
• Donor Services – Ask questions, provide feedback, and share resources with community foundation donor service professionals on ways to support donors, explore gift options, and keep donors engaged. This community is designed for community foundation staff who are philanthropic advisors or involved in donor stewardship.
• Finance and Admin – Learn from your peers about the complexities of financial management, fund accounting, gift acceptance, and fiscal operating practices. This community is designed for staff who serve in finance and administrative roles.
• Programs – As communities need change, it is essential for program professionals to have a space to ask questions, share concerns, and connect around programmatic strategy. This community is designed for staff who design and deliver programs, nonprofit services, grantmaking, and community impact.
• Scholarships Exchange  - Learn and share scholarship policies, processes, and opportunities with peers, and see how scholarships can play an impactful role in giving.
• Open Exchange – Contribute, connect, and learn from peers in this member community designated for staff from all foundation types. This is the best place to get valuable perspective from a broad range of audiences.

Learn compliance standards, governance and tax regulations from our Legal Team.

• Explore our extensive library of legal resources dedicated to community foundations.
• Access to the Council’s Legal Compendium which includes An Overview Of The Law Governing Community Foundations
• Receive direct consultation support from our Legal Team

The Council often convenes members in working groups, task forces and committees to help inform and shape our work. Recent opportunities include:

• Awards Selection Committee
• Board of Directors
• Public Policy Committee
• Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc Working Group
• Community Foundation Advisory Group

Reach out to the Engagement Team to explore ways you can volunteer your expertise.

CF Insights

The idea behind CF Insights is simple: What if each community foundation can know what all community foundations collectively know? CF Insights was created to help community foundations leverage peer data to inform their strategy.

Council members who add Plus Membership gain unlimited access to the CF Insights benchmarking tool, customized dashboards, and 1-on-1 assistance to ensure you get the most out of the data.

All Community Foundations are invited to participate in the CF Insights annual survey and access its results. See our library of FREE publications and toolkits to provide in-depth analysis of your community foundation’s overall sustainability and ability to cover operating costs through fees.

Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report

Since 1980, the Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report (GSB) has provided the sector with the most comprehensive data on staff composition and compensation in the United States. Grantmakers rely on this annual report to inform budgeting, talent recruitment and retention strategies, and personnel policies and practices.

Foundations who participate in the annual GSB survey receive access to benchmarking for salary and benefits. All Council members and organizations who participate in the survey receive FREE access to the annual report of the results. Non-members can purchase the report.

Council on Foundations - Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations (CCSF)

The annual CCSF report is the field’s most comprehensive and authoritative study on investment and governance policies and practices. Topics covered include:

• Returns and Investment Objectives
• Asset Allocation and Responsible Investing Criteria
• Responsible Investment Practices
• Fund Flows, Spending and Gifts
• Resources, Management and Governance

Council members can access the report for FREE and non-members can request a copy through Commonfund.

Work with our Government Affairs team to build your capacity to advocate on behalf of nonprofits and your community and inform the Council's public policy agenda.

Donor-Advised Funds

In 2021, the Council convened the Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc Working Group to develop a set of principles and proposals to share with lawmakers and the field that would strengthen community foundations and DAFs.

Read the recommendations

National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®

We continue to highlight the enthusiasm of the majority of community foundations to voluntarily institute strict operating policies and preserve the highest degree of integrity and excellence by engaging in peer-regulation through the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program.

Remain up to date on the challenges and opportunities shaping philanthropy and share stories about your organization's impact through exclusive communications, including our members-only e-newsletters.

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® (National Standards) is an accreditation program created by community foundations for community foundations. They are peer-driven, voluntary, and self-regulatory.