Community foundations are tax-exempt public charities that seek to meet the various needs in their specific locales. The most recent numbers from the Foundation Center show there are more than 700 community foundations nationwide with a $4 billion estimated giving.
With the help of our previous work, these public charities have improved their giving - many now provide significantly more for lower-income communities, racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations.
Related Publications
Community-Based Public Foundations: Small Beacons for Big Ideas
by Rick Cohen
January 2004
This report takes an in-depth look at community-based public foundations, from their various grantmaking practices and payout policies to leadersip and staff diversity.
Community Foundations and the Disenfranchised: A summary Report on Ten Top Community Foundations' Responsiveness to Low-Income and Other Historically Disenfranchised Groups in American Society
November 1994
This seminal report shed light to the need for community foundations to prioritize equity and empowerment of underserved communities in their giving. For a copy of this report, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
