What is a Community Foundation?

A community foundation is a collection of individual funds and resources given by local citizens, corporations,
foundations and other organizations to enhance and support the quality of life in their community.

It is a tax exempt public charity that allows many individuals, through gifts and bequests, to establish
permanent endowment funds within the confines of one larger foundation.

The earnings generated from these separate funds can help a community respond to
emerging challenges and opportunities, as well as prepare for its future.

Hundreds of community foundations nationwide share a common mission - to help maximize the current
and long term impact of charitable activities in their communities while providing donors with significant
advantages, tax savings, and recognition.

A board of private citizen volunteers, chosen to be representative of the public interest and for
their knowledge of the community, governs all activities of the community foundation. In this way
the community foundation is fully accountable to the community it serves.