--- title: Community Philanthropy Update - March 2026 --- Apply to join our Advisory Group for the Center for Community Foundations by April 8! ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­   | | | --- | | | | --- | | Greetings Friend, For over 75 years, the Council on Foundations has served as a close partner to community foundations, with much of our work directly informed by members. One way we gather feedback is through our Advisory Group for the Center for Community Foundations, which was re-launched in 2022. We are grateful to the 23 community foundation leaders from 20 different states and territories who have served on the Advisory Group over the last year. The Advisory Group includes a wide range of perspectives to support and advance the work of community foundations. Most recently, their input shaped the development of the upcoming Community Foundation Leadership Coalition, a new membership add-on to provide expanded policy and strategic communications support for community foundations. Applications are now open to join the Advisory Group starting in summer 2026. If you’re an executive, C-suite, or vice president level staff member at a community foundation who is a Council member, submit your application by April 8. As a member of the Advisory Group, you will inform planning for our Leading Locally 2027 conference, influence our thinking on new products and services for community foundations, and more. We look forward to leveraging the Advisory Group as a trusted partner in helping the Council effectively meet the needs of community foundations, now and into the future. I hope you’ll consider joining us! Best, Natalie Ross Vice President, Membership, Development, and Finance | | --- | | Updates and Resources Community Foundation Leadership Coalition Info Session Our new CF Leadership Coalition: Policy and Communications Add-On offers the opportunity to join a network of community foundations working to advance shared policy priorities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen the sector’s collective voice. Those who purchase the add-on will also receive new benefits including issue-based briefings, real-time updates sent to your leadership, and more. On Wednesday, April 8, join our free info session as we explain the expanded benefits available to members that choose to upgrade and how you can join this growing network of community foundations leading on policy issues nationally and in their communities. We'll be joined by Trisha Finnegan, a member of the Council’s Advisory Group for the Center for Community Foundations, who will share what the CF Leadership Coalition's creation means for her own organization and the broader field. Legal Question of the Month with Senior Staff Counsel Remy Barnwell Question: Can Giving Circles accept qualified charitable distributions (QCDs)? We classify a Giving Circle as a subcategory of DAF, with the difference being the donor base is much larger than an individual or family. Since DAF can’t accept QCDs, I’m wondering if that applies to Giving Circles as well. Answer: Most giving circles meet the current definition of donor advised funds, and it sounds like you already classify giving circles as DAFs internally. So, giving circles may not receive QCDs. The prohibition against QCDs being distributed to DAFs applies even if the distribution is made to a DAF that wasn’t started by the donor. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any follow up questions. 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 is now open! 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. CF Insights Highlight Webinar Next Week: Community Foundation Trends - Highlights from the CF Insights FY24 Annual Survey Join us next Tuesday, March 24, at 1 p.m. ET for an exploration of the latest CF Insights data snapshot for FY24, and learn how you can access peer benchmarking data on hundreds of community foundations to inform your own operations and strategy. Dave Rosado, Senior Advisor for Community Philanthropy, will share some highlights from the latest CF Insights Annual survey results and demonstrate the CF Insights benchmarking tool. Caresa Summers, Manager, Executive Office with the Santa Fe Community Foundation will join to discuss how the community foundation uses benchmarking data to help inform their own strategic decision-making. Visit our website to learn more about CF Insights or email the team at cfinsights@cof.org anytime with your questions. 2025 Council Award Winners Announced We’re excited to announce the winners of the 2025 Council Awards! In addition to our longstanding awards, we launched two new awards this year that highlight the extraordinary work of community foundations: the Excellence in Community Foundation Leadership Award, for a community foundation leader who has elevated community philanthropy over years of service, and the Building Together Award, for an organization or initiative that helps us connect and collaborate across differences. Distinguished Service Award: Rip Rapson, Kresge Foundation President and CEO Outstanding Corporate Philanthropy Leadership Award: Charu Adesnik, Cisco Foundation Executive Director Scrivner Award: Segal Family Foundation \[NEW\] Excellence in Community Foundation Leadership Award: Ralph Serpe, Adams County Community Foundation President and CEO \[NEW\] Building Together Award: Innovia Foundation 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 Inside Philanthropy: How Community Foundations Are Addressing Rising Hunger in the U.S. The NonProfit Times: NPOs Urged To Fight New Federal Grants Paperwork The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Caught in a Web of DAF Transfers The Associated Press: Trump’s tax law changes may increase the number of donors, but reduce donations to nonprofits Opinions expressed in articles belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council. | | --- | | New Member Spotlight Welcome to the community foundations that have joined as new Council members since our last newsletter! We're excited to have the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County, and Central Kentucky Community Foundation as new members. | | --- | | Upcoming Events Webinars Community Foundation Trends: Highlights from the CF Insights FY24 Annual Survey March 24 \| Virtual \| Webinar Listening Skills for Chaotic Times April 1 \| Virtual \| Webinar Info Session: CF Leadership Coalition Policy & Communications Add-On April 8 \| Virtual \| Webinar Peer Events Public Policy Action Network April 6 \| Virtual \| Peer Event Virtual Meet-Up: Community Foundation Donor Services April 8 \| Virtual \| Peer Event National Standards Monthly Meet-Up April 8 \| Virtual \| Peer Event Values-Aligned Philanthropy Peer Learning Circle May 13 \| Virtual \| Peer Event Member Communications Briefing May 20 \| Virtual \| Peer Event Leading Across Differences Peer Learning Circle June 10\| Virtual \| Peer Event Scholarships Exchange: Book Club April 14 \| Virtual \| Peer Event Trainings and In-Person Events Building Together 2026 May 4-7 \| In-person in Seattle \| Conference Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) Fundamentals Course May 12, 13, 19, 20 \| Virtual \| Training | | --- | | | | --- | | Keep in Touch! Share your organization’s impact story with us at communications@cof.org. View this email as a web page. | | --- | | Shared purpose. Collective voice. Greater impact. Council on Foundations \| 1255 23rd Street NW, Suite 200  \| Washington,  DC  20037 You received this email because you are subscribed to receive emails from the Council on Foundations. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. View our Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe from all future emails. | | --- | | | | --- |