Community foundations strengthen communities in many ways, such as providing the means for a wide range of donors to create permanent funds to meet local needs. Located in almost every region and state in the country, community foundations grant funds to a wide variety of causes and offer donors many services and benefits. Community foundations work with families, individuals, attorneys and financial planners to design gift plans that fit every economic situation, ensuring that donors receive the most benefit from their charitable contributions and that their philanthropic dollars are used to the fullest community benefit.
At Community First Foundation we are overseen by a governing board that represents the community we serve. Our board of directors defines our mission, vision, policies and direction and helps to guide us as we find more ways to address our community’s needs.
Community foundations accept gifts of various sizes and types from private citizens, local corporations, other foundations and government agencies. Many types of gifts, such as real estate, stock, and insurance, can be contributed to a community foundation. Gifts are also made from bequests and by living donors through various types of funds and deferred giving vehicles.
Although community foundations range greatly in asset size, all funds are invested in diverse portfolios and the management of these funds is a cornerstone of community foundation work. All community foundations share the common goal of serving donors, nonprofit organizations, and the community as a whole.