FAQs
- What is a community foundation?
- How many community foundations are there in Canada?
- How do community foundations relate to other non-profit and philanthropic organizations in my community?
- How do community foundations work with other non-profit and philanthropic organizations in my community?
- What attracts donors to community foundations?
- How much do community foundations contribute to Canadian community organizations?
- What is the role of Community Foundations of Canada (CFC)?
- Does CFC provide funding for community groups?
- How can I get involved in the community foundation movement?
- Are there community foundations in other countries?
1. What is a
community foundation?
Community
foundations are locally-run public foundations that build and
manage endowment funds to support charitable activities in
their area.
Each community foundation is autonomous
and governed by a volunteer board of local leaders. These
foundations combine three main roles:
i) Endowment
Building/Donor Service
ii) Grantmaking
iii) Community
Convening & Leadership
To learn more about
community foundations, see our one-page Fact
Sheet.
2. How many
community foundations are there in Canada?
Community foundations are one of the fastest
growing networks dedicated to building and strengthening
Canadian communities. Their numbers have more than quadrupled
over the past fifteen years - from 32 foundations in 1990 to
more than 144 in 2005.
Winnipeg established Canada’s
first community foundation in 1921. Today, community
foundations exist in every province and one territory and are
linked and supported at the national level through Community
Foundations of Canada.
Find out more through
statistics about Canadian
community foundations. For a list of Canadian community
foundations, see our Community
Foundation Finder.
3. How do
community foundations relate to other non-profit and
philanthropic organizations in my community?
The characteristics that make community
foundations special include:
Permanence. A gift
to a community foundation endowment is a gift that lasts
forever.
Flexible donor service. Community
foundations connect donors with the issues and organizations
that matter most to them. They offer donors a wide range of
funds & giving options to help them meet their goals.
Broad perspective. Community foundations
support a wide range of causes not just one sector or
charity.
Community leadership. Community
foundations are often situated at the hub of our communities
promoting dialogue, building partnerships, and working on
issues of broad interest.
Accountability.
Community foundations are recognized and sought after as
responsible stewards of community resources. They strive for
flexible, responsive and transparent governance and leadership
practices that welcome involvement and encourage
dialogue.
4. How do
community foundations work with other non-profit and
philanthropic organizations in my community?
Community foundations benefit the entire
community by promoting the value of charitable giving. They
link donors with a wide range of community organizations and
encourage gifts to all kinds of causes and charities. They
work collaboratively with other funders and grantmakers to
help serve the needs of the whole community.
The
community foundation movement openly shares its extensive
experience and expertise with others in the voluntary sector
from developing values-based tools, to practical tips on human
resources, governance, and administrative procedures.
Find out more about community foundations at work
or learn more about some of CFC’s Special
Initiatives.
5. What attracts
donors to community foundations?
Community foundations are increasingly popular
with Canadians who want to have an impact on their communities
now and in the future.
Flexibility is one of the
primary reasons that community foundations are so popular
among donors. Donors can give to any number of charities
through their community foundation. They can also choose
various types of funds, different ways in which gifts can be
made, and their own degree of personal involvement.
Community foundations also have a deep understanding
of local issues. This insight helps donors have an even
greater impact on the priorities that are close to their
hearts.
Read stories
about why donors choose community foundations.
6. How much do
community foundations contribute to Canadian community
organizations?
In 2003,
Canada’s community foundations provided more than $95 million
in grants to community organizations all across the country
that’s more than the business deals signed during Team
Canadas 2001 trade mission.
To learn more about
community foundation grants, see our most recent
statistics or view our archive of Community
Foundation Stories.
7. What is the
role of Community Foundations of Canada (CFC)?
Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) is the
national membership organization for Canada’s community
foundations. Its programs, activities and services are shaped
by its members and are designed to support the three main
roles of community foundations. CFC was founded in 1992.
Find more information about CFC
Services or browse through CFC’s Annual
Report.
8. Does CFC
provide funding for community groups?
Community Foundations of Canada does not
have any funding or granting programs.
Individual
community foundations across Canada support a wide range of
local initiatives through their grantmaking programs from
health, education and social services to arts, culture,
recreation and the environment.
To find out if
there is a community foundation that serves your region or
municipality, visit our Community
Foundation Finder.
9. How can I get
involved in the community foundation movement? To find out if there is a community foundation that
serves your region or municipality, visit our Community
Foundation Finder.
There are many different ways to support the
community foundation movement. You can become a donor,
volunteer your skills and services, or support an ongoing
project. To find out about opportunities in your community,
contact your local community foundation.
10. Are there
community foundations in other countries? Find out more about WINGS-CF, a worldwide
network of community foundations.
Community foundations are spreading around the
globe and exist in countries such as Australia, Brazil,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Slovakia, South
Africa, the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
Canada is a
respected leader in the international community foundation
movement. Community Foundations of Canada (CFC) was
instrumental in setting up a global network of organizations
to support community foundations and build philanthropy around
the world (WINGS-CF).
CFC continues to assist and
learn from community organizations in Brazil, Mexico, Central
and Eastern Europe, South Africa, and Australia.
Thanks to Community Foundations of Canada for these FAQ references