Community foundations build endowment, award grants, and connect the community by providing leadership services which can convene agencies and coordinate resources to create positive change.

A community foundation is a 501c3 tax-exempt charitable organization that provides support, primarily for the needs of the geographic community or region where it is based. This support comes from a permanent collection endowed funds that it maintains, manages, and administers for the long-term benefit of a defined geographic area.

Community foundations seek support from the general public, and they also provide grants.

Community Foundations can:

• Provide tools and resources which help individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit agencies achieve their charitable and financial goals.

• Help donors create charitable funds to support the issues and groups they care about most.

• Accept a variety of assets and facilitate complicated giving strategies.

A community foundation is committed to the principles of equality and diversity, inclusiveness, and public accountability.