Community/Public Foundations

Did you know?
Community and other public foundations are publicly supported organizations operated by, and for the benefit of, a specific community, population or geographic region.

Community and other public foundations are proliferating.  To support this fast-growing segment of organized philanthropy, MCF offers targeted programming, research, networks and resources.

Read about the many benefits MCF offers community/public foundations (PDF). Or view our Member Roster to see a listing of our community/public foundation members.

MCF Resources

• Development Professionals Network*
  Member-led, the Development Professionals Network focuses on the needs and interests of staff and trustees responsible for fund development activities for their community or public foundation. We offer many more networks* around issue areas and specific job duties that may also interest community/public foundation trustees and staff.
• Resources from the 2011 Community/Public Foundation Conference
  Thanks to our attendees and fantastic speakers, the 2011 conference was a success. Whether you attended or not you can reap some of the benefits here on the Schedule & Resources page by downloading articles, PPT decks and more.
• Philanthropy Potluck Blog: Posts Featuring Community/Public Foundations
  MCF's Philanthropy Potluck Blog frequently highlights the activities of community and public foundation grantmakers in the state.
• Top 25 Minnesota Community/Public Foundations (PDF)
  View an annual list of Minnesota's largest community/public foundations, ranked by grants paid.
• Giving Forum: Community Philanthropy, Leading and Collaborating for the Greater Good
  This issue of MCF's quarterly newspaper focuses on the future of community/public foundation grantmaking in Minnesota. Development professionals and other leaders share rich perspectives.

More Resources

• Community Foundation Global Status Report 2010
  Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support (WINGS)
  This is the latest in a series of reports on the worldwide development of community foundations.
• Community Foundations National Standards Board
  This site is a resource for foundations that wish to comply with CFNSB's standards of excellence. Learn about compliance and its benefits at cfstandards.org.
• Consumers Guide to Integrated Software for Community Foundations
  This guide looks at the features and processes used by five different integrated software solutions to help community foundations and donor-advised funds manage funds, track grants throughout their life cycles, solicit donations, provide online support for donor advised funds, and track accounting data.
• The Four Ps of Marketing: A Roadmap for Greater Community
  This paper addresses how new community foundations can communicate effectively and offers a tested model along with relevant examples and worksheets to help any community foundation create and manage its marketing program.
• Growing Smarter: Achieving Sustainability in Emerging Community Foundations
  
  This report describes case studies and economic models that can inform community foundations on financial sustainability.
  This report describes case studies and economic models that can inform community foundations on financial sustainability.
• Minnesota Generational Transfer of Wealth Study
  Released in 2010, this data shows that approximately $48 billion will pass from one generation to another in the next 20 years. This shift of wealth has tremendous potential to impact philanthropy within the state.
• Reaching Out: Board Ambassadors for Growth in Community Foundations
  This paper presents five essential elements in nurturing board ambassadors, and provides examples as well as tested exercises and tools to help strengthen board ambassadors in any community foundation.

Stephanie Jacobs
director of member services

Community foundation staff members and trustees looking for resources or wanting to connect with colleagues are invited to contact Stephanie.

Photo at top of page courtesy of Catholic Community Foundation and The Catholic Spirit