About Community Foundations Supporting donors make a lasting impact in perpetuity
What are community foundations?
The First Community Foundation
Community foundations are grantmaking public charities 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 nonprofits in their communities. Community foundations vary widely in asset size, ranging from less than $100,000 to more than $5 billion.
A banker, Frederic Goff, established the first community foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914. His goal was to create a permanent endowment that would benefit the citizens of greater Cleveland for years to come. More than a century later, The Cleveland Foundation awards grants worth over $100 million each year to a variety of projects and programs in that region. Today, there are nearly 800 community foundations operating in the United States.
Unique Attributes of Community Foundations Community foundations play a key role in pursuing ways to make donations of all sizes have a larger and longer impact than they would otherwise have on their own. Community foundations serve as vital hubs for philanthropy, bringing together donors and local organizations to address community needs, foster impactful change, and build a stronger, more resilient community. 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. Grantee Encuentro
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