The National Standards were developed by a group of community foundation practitioners (The Community Foundations Leadership Team) to provide guidance and continuity among U.S. community foundations.
Hundreds of community foundations across the country have adopted the standards, which are focused on six key areas of operational excellence:
- Mission, Structure, and Governance
- Resource Development
- Stewardship and Accountability
- Grantmaking and Community Leadership
- Donor Relations
- Communications
- Compliance with National Standards is voluntary. The Participant Handbook will guide foundations through the process of declaring intent to comply and the review process.
The Standards are designed to:
- Demonstrate community foundations’ transparency and financial responsibilityGuide sound policies and accountable practices
- Distinguish community foundations from other philanthropic vehicles
- Build the capacity of community foundations to carry our their missions
- Assist the field with self-regulation in a manner viewed positively by the Internal Revenue Service, which has increased its scrutiny of charities offering donor advised funds
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