Updates and Resources
Community Foundation Advisory Board Applications
The Advisory Group for the Center for Community Foundations includes a wide range of perspectives to support and advance the work of community foundations. Most recently, their input shaped the development of the CF Leadership Coalition, a new membership add-on to provide expanded policy and strategic communications support for community foundations.
If you’re an executive, C-suite, or vice president level staff member at a community foundation who is a Council member, we invite you to apply for the advisory board. As a member of the group, you will inform planning for our Leading Locally 2027 conference, influence our thinking on new products and services for community foundations, and more.
Legal Question of the Month with Senior Staff Counsel Remy Barnwell
Question: Are community foundations legally able to accept money from a cemetery association, a 501(c)(13) organization? Can community foundations grant funds to 501(c)(19) veterans associations?
Our current fund policies state that we grant funds to public charities identified by IRS Section 170(B)(1)(a). The 501(c)(19) organization does not meet that criteria, however, it is a tax-exempt organization and can accept charitable contributions.
Answer: If a cemetery association is looking to open a fund at your foundation, it’s important to note that the fund will not be an agency fund.
Agency funds are restricted to other charitable organizations, that is other 501(c)(3) organizations. Because cemetery associations receive different tax treatment than community foundations, you also want to ensure that any distributions only further a charitable purpose and serve public rather than private interests. The same is true for 501(c)(19) organizations, generally a community foundation can make grants to them but any distribution must be for a restricted, charitable purpose.
But, it looks like your own internal policies prohibit you from granting to either organization. Although they are both tax-exempt organizations, they are not public charities.
Council members are able to send their questions to our legal team for expert advice and analysis. You can take advantage of this member benefit by becoming a member today.
2026 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Survey
The 2026 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Survey closes on May 14! Your participation ensures that the GSB Report remains the most comprehensive guide to compensation and benefits information for philanthropic organizations in the country. Plus, participants receive early access to GSB data and a free copy of the report in the fall.
Join hundreds of community foundations by taking the 2026 GSB Survey by May 14.
CF Insights Highlight
Members with the CF Insights Add-On: Join Our Next Peer Connections Event on May 19
On May 19 at 2 p.m. ET, we look forward to welcoming Danny Freund, Director of Grant Operations and Analytics at the Princeton Area Community Foundation, to moderate a discussion with peers on Utilizing Data to Inform Community Foundation Strategy.
This peer discussion will bring together CF Insights Add-On members to explore how data can be used as a strategic asset. The conversation will highlight technology systems — from donor management platforms to grants management and community data tools – and how they can be leveraged to support more informed, cohesive strategies. Attendees will have the opportunity to share challenges, lessons learned, and practical approaches to improve data quality, accessibility, and use within organizations. We hope to see you there.
Visit our website to learn more about CF Insights and the CF Insights membership add-on, or email the team at cfinsights@cof.org anytime with your questions.
Values-Aligned Philanthropy Peer Learning Circle
The Values Aligned Philanthropy Peer Circle gives community foundations in the process of exploring, designing, or implementing organizational values-aligned grantmaking policies the opportunity to meet, strategize, and share resources with peers across the country.
This month, we'll discuss recent developments that impact values-aligned policies and current challenges and opportunities. Registration is free and is open to all community foundation staff who are interested regardless of their Council membership status. Join us in our next meeting on May 13 at 1 p.m. ET!
Council/Commonfund Survey Now Open
Are you a fiduciary that oversees an endowment? The 2025 Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations (CCSF) is now open! Join over 200 foundations in participating in the leading annual study of investment and governance policies and practices at foundations.
News Articles
Opinions expressed in articles belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council.
New Member Spotlight
Upcoming Events
