National Standards

The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa was one of the first Community Foundations around the country recognized for having met practices that are in compliance with the Council on Foundations` National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. The National Standards were developed in 2000 to aid community foundations in establishing legal, ethical and effective operating practices that would show the foundations` transparency and financial responsibility in light of the increased public scrutiny of foundation practices.

Of the 700 community foundations nationwide, nearly 500 have pledged to comply with the National Standards. In order to achieve Confirmation of Compliance with the National Standards, community foundations must undergo an extensive review of their organizational and financial polices and procedures.

Intended both as a blueprint for internal organizational development and as a tangible set of benchmarks for external assessment of performance, the 43 National Standards address such areas as governance; resource development; stewardship and accountability; grantmaking and community leadership; donor relations; and communications.

For a complete list of US Community Foundation National Standards, click here.