Development & Gift Management
It is important to have a strong development plan in place to raise funds and ensure the foundation’s long-term success. The Council is here to help you develop your foundation's strategies to attract resources and monetary gifts, and cultivate ongoing relationships with donors and their advisors.
FAQ: Fundraising for Community Foundations
Legal Compliance Guidance, Fundamentals
Raising money for community needs is the central function of community foundations. No surprise, then, that we receive more questions about fundraising than about any other topic. Following are some common inquiries we receive by telephone and e-mail and the replies we give.
Documents for Donors…
A Scan of Community Foundations Accepting Cryptocurrency Gifts
Publication
With the proliferation of bitcoin and other forms of digital (or "crypto") currencies around the world, a growing number of charitable donations are being given via these transaction vehicles. To what extent have community foundations entered this space? Which cryptocurrencies are the most popular…
Accepting Cryptocurrency as Charitable Contributions
Legal Compliance Guidance
Accepting Cryptocurrency as Charitable Contributions will help community foundations navigate questions and concerns around receiving cryptocurrency as charitable contributions. Get comprehensive, state-by-state information from the Council's Legal Resources Team on how your foundation can…
Accepting Charitable Contributions from Cannabis Businesses
Legal Compliance Guidance
With the sale and use of cannabis still federally prohibited while more states legalize it to varying degrees, the industry is creating far-reaching financial implications for the philanthropic sector.
“Accepting Charitable Contributions from Cannabis Businesses” will help community foundations…
Charitable Solicitation Regulation and Other State Fundraising Regulations
Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law:
The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources
This chapter of Mastering Foundation Law reviews what foundation managers need to know about state-level regulations of fundraising: why and how states regulate fundraising; the basic requirements for…
The PayPal Charitable Giving Fund Settlement and Variance Power
Legal Compliance Guidance
A multi-state settlement agreement between PayPal Charitable Giving Fund (PPGF) and almost two-dozen states was announced to address issues of transparency and PPGF’s website disclosures. One notable area about which state regulators raised concerns was disclosure by PPGF of the fact…
Gifts of Cryptocurrency and Charitable Acknowledgments: IRS FAQs Provide Guidance
Legal Compliance Guidance
The IRS published 45 FAQs related to virtual currency (Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency), and foundations should note two of these questions address charitable acknowledgment of such gifts as well as IRS reporting requirements.
Briefly, a contemporaneous written acknowledgment is required…
Sample Gift Acceptance Policy
Sample Document
Sample policies for gift acceptance, including ethical standards, who has authority to accept gifts on behalf of the foundation, types of gift assets, and more.
This sample document is being provided for informational purposes and is not to be shared without the permission of the Council on…
Sample Gift Acknowledgement Letter for IRA Transfer
Sample Document
This document is a customizable gift acknowledgement letter for an IRA transfer.
This sample document is being provided for informational purposes and is not to be shared without the permission of the Council on Foundations. Use of the sample document does not create an attorney-client…
Webinar Recording: Show Me the Money: Fundraising Tips for Community Foundations in the New Political Landscape
Recording
Today’s political climate poses unique challenges for community foundations, particularly as local communities and nonprofits deal with changes in their communities caused by budget cuts across a variety of programs. But the challenges also pose huge opportunities to fine-tune your organization…
Community Foundation Legal Webinar
Recording
View the Webinar Slides
Community Foundations: Gearing up for Year-End
Spend 90 minutes with the Council's legal staff to explore topics associated with year-end. As well, take a moment out to celebrate #CFWeek and gear up for #GivingTuesday!
Topics Include:
Year-end gift…
Successful Operating Endowment Campaigns
Fundamentals
Operating endowments can provide stability and long-term sustainability for community foundations. They can also provide resources that enable foundation leaders to play a stronger leadership role in the community and direct resources to the most pressing issues. Developing and executing an…
Giving Days
External Resource
2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first community foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then over 700 community foundations have been created in the United States and countless more globally. The Council recognizes the critical and unique role of…
Providing Quality Donor Services to Keep Donors Engaged
Fundamentals
Keeping donors interested and excited about their philanthropy is a fundamental task for a community foundation. After all, donors are your best source for additional gifts and larger “legacy” gifts in the future.
Community foundations provide donor services to achieve two main goals - to keep…
Designing a Development Plan
Fundamentals
A development plan outlines a foundation’s goals and strategies for developing resources. It explains how staff, board members, and other volunteers should focus their development efforts within a certain period (usually one or two years). A development plan also helps measure progress in the midst…
Contributions of Fractional Interests in Tangible Personal Property
Legal Compliance Guidance
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) imposes requirements for determining the charitable deduction permitted for gifts of fractional interests in tangible personal property.
What contributions are affected?
These requirements apply to contributions made after August 17, 2006.
What is…