After FY 2016 saw the field experience a slight uptick in asset growth, the community foundation field saw accelerated growth in FY 2017, both in the aggregate and among individual community foundations. The field’s total reported assets increased by 19%, at least partially due to wider market conditions producing strong investment returns for community foundations across the field.
The data and findings throughout this dashboard are based on FY 2017 Columbus Survey responses provided by 269 community foundations. We extend our thanks to all who participated and contributed to this dataset.
Staff and financial resources are important to monitor for smaller foundations who are looking to grow, and for larger foundations who are looking for the flexibility to diversify their offerings.
Differences in community foundation size are reflected in their different operating models and product focus.
The collective asset total of Columbus Survey participants remains effectively flat from FY 2017, increasing by less than one-half of one percent. These lower asset growth rates, observed field-wide, are reflective of a more volatile investment market in 2018, especially in the second half. The field's collective fundraising and grantmaking totals have however increased to a more significant degree, at roughly 8 percent each.
The data and findings throughout this dashboard are based on FY 2018 Columbus Survey responses provided by 251 community foundations and supplemented by publicly available data. We extend our thanks to all who participated in this year's survey and contributed to our dataset.