Last week’s blog cited demographic data from many of the foundations that have recently completed reconfirmation with the National Standards program. In the survey, we also asked foundations how they felt about the program, what areas could be improved, and if anything should be changed.
Standards in Practice
Tuesday, February 14 // 10:38 AM
It is always intriguing to see data. Percentages, ratios, and numbers are finite and objective whereas most of the everyday world is just the opposite—qualitative and subjective. As of today, there are 500 community foundations in compliance with National Standards. The number of foundations in the process (who have submitted a statement of agreement or are under review) is 173 for reconfirmation and 13 for confirmation.
Friday, February 3 // 11:20 AM
I was in a meeting where the participants had to pair up and answer a series of questions, and one of them was “describe your perfect workday.” I’ve been involved in the National Standards program for four years now and many aspects of the work I do constitute what I consider a perfect workday. My favorite workdays have the following components: working on a project, spending some time with my team to problem-solve and think creatively, talking with a few people from the field, and at the end of the day, feeling like I finished something and helped someone.
Wednesday, January 11 // 2:32 PM
Each foundation that applies to National Standards is assigned a submission deadline 9–12 months after the Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB) receives its Statement of Agreement. It may sound like plenty of time, but it is important to get started today. So where do you begin? Below are my suggested steps and timeline, beginning one year before your submission deadline.
One year before submission deadline:
Monday, November 14 // 9:28 AM
Community foundations do wonderful things for their communities. They gather gifts from people with charitable hearts, grow those gifts through wise investments, and they distribute grants to nonprofits that deal with the issues, challenges, and needs of the people in the community. Trust is an important factor in building a community foundation. People need to know that when they make a charitable bequest, create a fund or make a gift it will be safe, their charitable wishes will be achieved, and their legacies will be nurtured.
Tuesday, October 4 // 2:01 PM
You’ve spent days, weeks, and months preparing your record book submission. The board has been involved in the approval of policies and procedures. Teams of people have pored over documents, cover sheets, attended webinars, and finally the record book has been submitted for review. And now that the book is under review… it seems to be taking forever. For anyone who is in the confirmation or reconfirmation process, this last thought must cross your mind once a week.
Thursday, September 15 // 3:36 PM
Two years ago the Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB) launched a new website dedicated to providing community foundations with top-notch technical assistance—the "how" of National Standards—to better prepare them to meet the requirements of compliance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.
