What Is A Community Foundation?
A Community Foundation is a charitable organization created by and for a community of people. It is supported by local donors and governed by a board of private citizens who work toward the greater good of the citizens in the community. Funds come from a variety of sources, including bequests and living trusts, and are invested in perpetuity. The investment earnings are then distributed to worthy organizations or causes. Today, more than 1,700 community foundations exist around the world. Read more about our history.
What We Do
We go beyond making grants that advance charitable activities. As a community foundation, we function in three ways:
To act as a vehicle for philanthropy for individuals, organizations and corporations by receiving and managing charitable gifts.
To provide leadership in the community by identifying current and emerging areas of need, supporting innovative programs, and sharing information with other organizations.
To lead a meaningful and effective grant process that properly stewards our donors’ gifts.
Our six funding priorities are:
- Human Services
- The Environment
- Economic Development
- Arts and Culture