What is a Community Foundation?


Students at Gerlach Elementary school excitedly receive new library books from a Community Foundation donor advised fund gift.
 

 A community foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people in a local area. It enables people with philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the issues they care about—immediately, or through their estates.  Community foundations provide a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to community giving.

Community foundations do this by helping individuals, families, and businesses establish charitable funds to which they may contribute a variety of assets. Grants are then made from these funds to nonprofit groups in order to meet the charitable goals of the donor. Donors and their families may be actively involved in the selection of the nonprofit groups and, in some cases, the individuals who receive grants from their funds. The grants can be made in the donor’s name or anonymously.

>During 2007 the Community Foundation awarded grants and scholarships totaling more than $7 millon. In our 10 years we have distributed more than $32 million in grants and scholarships in our region and beyond!

Community foundations have in-depth knowledge of their communities. We remain alert to emerging needs in order to respond quickly and effectively. We convene groups—including donors, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials—to work together on community problem-solving. And we foster greater giving and volunteering in our communities.

Community foundations have a long tradition of helping bring about thoughtful, effective change. The first one was started in Cleveland Ohio in 1914, and there are now more than 650 throughout the United States.

Fund holders: need a grant recommendation form?
Click here to download a Donor Advised Grant Recommendation form, which you can fill out and fax to Margaret Stewart at 775-333-5499. If you have any problems downloading this file, contact Margaret at 775-333-5499 or by email at info@cfwnv.org.

What you should know
Why should I give to and through the Community Foundation?

If you’re considering philanthropic alternatives, you may be looking at the differences between establishing a...


Other things to consider when giving through a Community Foundation.

Starting and running a private foundation requires both time and money...


Guidelines for Giving

Receiving Tickets and Using Your Donor Advised Fund
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Due Diligence Policy
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Gift Acceptance Policy
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Donor Advised Fund Grant Guidelines
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Donor Story

Celebrating 10 Stories
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Connecting Generations
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