Mission:
Community
Georgia: Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
A century ago, Cleveland banker Frederick Goff had a vision: to pool the charitable resources of his community's philanthropists into a single, great, and permanent endowment for the betterment of the city.
That vision led to the formation of the Cleveland Foundation -- and a movement that has transformed philanthropy in the United States and worldwide.
Today, nearly 900 U.S. community foundations collectively grant more than $14.8 billion each year and manage more than $112.7 billion in charitable assets.
We work with nonprofits in every community to improve local economics, expand access to healthcare, feed the hungry, support faith-based communities, and much more.
Wisconsin: Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region
New Jersey: Community Foundation of New Jersey
Idaho: Idaho Community Foundation
About Community Foundations
WE'RE COMMUNITY-FUNDED...
We rely on private donors to support our work.
... AND WE SERVE COMMUNITIES
Unlike other public charities, we make grants to support nonprofits.
WE HELP DONORS ...
We're experts in helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals. Whether it's through a donor-advised fund, a donation of property, or an unrestricted gift, we take a holistic approach to helping you make a difference with your giving.
... AND NONPROFITS
Community isn't just a part of our name. It's central to who we are and what we do. We are experts in our communities -- connecting donors with the nonprofits that can help them transform lives.
WE PRIORITIZE IMPACT ...
When you work with us, you're not simply managing a fund. You're investing in programs and organizations that are tackling problems and making a difference.
... NOW AND IN THE FUTURE
Community foundations invest billions each year in improving communities, while also ensuring that our donors will leave a legacy that will make a difference for generations to come.
Community Foundations in Action
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta supports the Atlanta Land Trust, which is developing three affordable housing communities in the city.
Addressing America’s Housing Crisis
The United States is facing a nationwide housing crisis. Rising costs, high interest rates, and low inventory have forced many Americans to make impossible choices. Many households are a missed paycheck away from not being able to make their rent or mortgage payments. Others live in unsafe conditions. And others, still, are forced to live in their cars or on the streets.
In the face of this national crisis, America’s community foundations are stepping up to help expand the number of affordable housing options available across the country. From the Community Foundation of Sonoma County building accessory dwelling units in California, to the East Tennessee Foundation establishing the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, community foundations are using their unique positions to build partnerships, mobilize donor assets, and aid lawmakers in identifying effective solutions around affordable housing.
Learn more about how community foundations are tackling affordable housing.
Supporting Nonprofits Through Giving Days
Community foundations across the U.S. annually organize and host community-focused giving days that prompt donations to nonprofits in specific locations.
And a review of giving days hosted by 29 U.S. community foundations in 2022 shows that these events contributed over $262 million to support over 15,000 nonprofit organizations whose missions included the arts, economic and food security, education, racial equity, and more.
Giving days aim to bring communities together by increasing engagement within the community, spreading awareness on important causes and needs, and building capacity for nonprofits. They also help raise the profile of their community foundation sponsors — reaffirming their value to longtime donors and exposing potential new donors.
“Everyone can be a philanthropist,” said Jennifer Taylor, chief marketing officer at Communities Foundation of Texas. “And it doesn’t matter how much a person gives or what causes they care about. What’s important is that many people can be a part of this moment as we work together to build our community.”
To learn more, read the full report here.
Erie Community Foundation's Erie Gives raised more than $8.1 million to support nonprofits in its Pennsylvania community in 2022.
Courtesy: The New York Community Trust
Supporting Communities Nationwide During COVID-19
Community foundations and their donors have a long history of supporting their communities during times of crisis and disaster. And during the COVID-19 pandemic,community foundations stepped up in a major way, mobilizing more than $1 billion to support on-the-ground efforts by nonprofits.
In the early days of the pandemic the funds raised by community foundations provided critical support to those facing lost income, unstable housing, food insecurity, and so on. The Baltimore Community Foundation, for example, launched a rapid-response fund that has provided weekly grants to nonprofits that helped meet the real-time needs in its community, and spearheaded a regional effort that mobilized 15 local organizations and family foundations to address the crisis.
“Community foundations have more than lived up to their reputation as philanthropy’s first responders in the face of COVID-19,” said Terry Mazany, retired CEO of The Chicago Community Trust. “The size and speed of our community-focused response is unlike any in our nation’s history – and it speaks to the unique value community foundations play in big cities, suburbs, and small towns across the country.”
Click here to read more and check out our blog to learn more about specific community initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.