What is a Community Foundation?

Staff and Board

Mission and History

About Community Foundations

Foundation News

A growing aspect of philanthropy

Community foundations make up one of the fastest growing sectors of philanthropy in the United States today. Community Foundations build and strengthen communities by making it possible for a wide range of donors participate in creating permanent (and often named) funds to meet present and future needs. Community foundations have become catalysts for improvement within urban centers and in rural settings through philanthropy that is visionary, diverse and inclusive.

Community foundations are a sustainable aspect of philanthropy - providing leadership and problem solving in the present and preparing for the future with a permanent endowment.

There are nearly 700 community foundations in the United States and there are more than 90 community foundations and geographic affiliates in Michigan alone. The community foundation model has spread throughout the world. There are at least 470 community foundations in 41 countries outside the United States, with at least another 140 in development around the world.

Assets

Community foundations in the United States hold approximately $35 billion in assets and are located throughout the country. In 2003, community foundations gave grants of more than $2.5 billion to a wide variety of nonprofit activities, including urban affairs, the arts, education, environmental projects, health care and disaster relief.

A focus on service

Differentiating a community foundation from other philanthropic options is a high degree of personalized service for donors.

Foundation development staff routinely works with families and professional advisors to design gift plans that fit every situation and donor preference, ensuring that philanthropists receive the most benefit from their charitable contributions. Program staff conducts research, analyses and site visits to ensure that philanthropic dollars are maximized and well-used.

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation operates in compliance with the National Standards for Community Foundations as set forth by the Council on Foundations. Evaluated and determined by a rigorous peer review process, it is one of 15 accredited community foundations in Michigan.

Gifts of all sizes and shapes

Community foundations can easily accept gifts of various sizes and types from private citizens, corporations, government agencies and other foundations. Nearly every type of gift-including real estate, closely held stock and artwork-can be contributed to a community foundation. Gifts are frequently made through bequests and also by living donors through various types of funds and deferred giving vehicles. In most cases, a gift to a community foundation is made part of a permanent endowment and thus the intention, the asset and the name of the donor are preserved forever.