What is a community foundation?

A community foundation is a type of philanthropic organization that is characterized by its public support and the ability to make grants to various causes within a community. It pools contributions from multiple donors, including individuals, families, and corporations, and uses these funds to support local initiatives and projects that serve the public good. This approach allows the foundation to address a broad spectrum of community needs, ranging from education and health to arts and environmental issues.

The essence of a community foundation lies in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the areas it serves, which is typically reflected in its diverse grant-making activities. By leveraging funds from various sources, community foundations can create a lasting impact and ensure that philanthropic efforts align with local priorities and interests.

In contrast, the other options present narrower definitions of foundations that do not capture the full community-oriented mission of a community foundation. For instance, a foundation funded solely by private donors implies a limited scope and does not reflect the broader public support characteristic of community foundations. Similarly, corporate foundations tend to focus more on supporting business interests rather than serving the community at large, and family-run foundations often have more specific goals that cater to the interests of a particular family rather than the community. Thus, the broad and inclusive nature of a community foundation