Since inception 100 years ago, community foundations pooled money from local businesses and citizens in order to fund vital projects in a geographically-defined boundary, often with a focus on root causes of hunger, poverty and disease. Such funds were placed into an invested endowment and resultant interest granted by an appointed board of trustees to not for-profit organizations to improve lives of community members and to provide ongoing leadership around critical issues. Community Foundations role as conveners, endowment-builders, donor-service providers, grant-makers/seekers, community leaders serve as foundation for an enormous network of connections, data points, information, innovation, expertise and a number of partnerships. The result is a unique knowledge capability that extends reach/impact of our donors’ philanthropy.
Community Foundations are public charitable foundations with the power to transform any community through:
1. Endowment building: Creates a philanthropic legacy for multiple generations. Endowment fund is set by net-fundraising income/charitable sources. Fund is held in trust and work with leading professionals knowledgeable on investments, operate under Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) guidelines: competitively selects a fund manager, administrator, custodian to manage endowment aiming to utilize accrued earnings and affiliated grant. Fund is home to hundreds of philanthropic fund created and directed by thousands of caring donors.
2. Donor service: Here, donors of all types, foundations and their professional advisors get advised on charitable giving.
3. Grant making: Award grants to effective non-profits doing invaluable work in county communities.
4. Community leadership: Brew youth leadership to fix community needs and seize emerging opportunities
LOYALTY-AS-A-SERVICE (LAAS) APP
