Community foundations are tax-exempt public charities serving thousands of people who share a common concern--that of improving the quality of life in their geographic area. In its general charitable purposes, a community foundation is much like a private foundation; its funds, however, are derived from many donors rather than a single source, as is usually the case with private foundations.
The community foundation idea is simple: Anyone may use it to give something back to the community.
It's All About Improving the Quality of Life
In a community foundation, individuals, families, businesses and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help their communities and organizations meet the challenges of changing times. The foundation invests and administers these funds.
All community foundations are overseen by a volunteer board of leading citizens and run by professionals with expertise in knowing their community's needs.
The Story County Community Foundation does more than simply distributing grants that advance charitable activities: it also identifies current and emerging issues, stimulates resources to address those needs and helps Story County prepare for the future.
Community foundations serve as a primary community resource.
Foundation volunteers: • help donors balance charitable giving objectives and tax benefits • understand issues critical to their communities • ease administration • care about the future of their community
As one community leader in rural Iowa says, "When my granddaughter is old enough to sit at this table, the assets will still be here. They are permanent, and they belong to the community."
