The Community Foundation of Washington County (CFWC) recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.
“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, board member of the Council on Foundations. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates the Community Foundation of Washington County demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission.”
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grant making and administration. With over 500 community foundations already accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.
“This is critically important to our donors,” said Cary Karlson, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “When people make a charitable bequest, donate to our Foundation or establish a fund under our umbrella, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely and honor their charitable wishes. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order.”
CFWC offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause, support an individual organization, and provide flexible support for community needs. While the creation and management of endowment and other funds is a key component of the Foundation’s work, CFWC has also developed its own unique scope of programming and initiatives focused around three key strategic pillars: Early Childhood Education, Workforce Development and Downtown Revitalization. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates the Foundation’s grant making practices for the nonprofit community.
“Since our establishment in 2012, we have functioned as a convener and a collaborator, bringing groups together and bringing people who care about various issues in touch with the groups that are moving those causes forward. As our mission states, we are connecting people who care with causes that matter to create a thriving community for all,” comments Lisa Percy, Development Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and one of the founders of the Foundation. “We are so excited to have achieved this accreditation from the Community Foundations National Standards Board at such a young age. It is an incredible accomplishment for our Foundation as we continue to grow and expand in our services to our community!”
National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® is the first program of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States.
For more information about CFWC, please visit our website at www.cfwashco.org or contact Terri Lane, Executive Director, via e-mail at tlane@cfwashco.org or by phone at (662) 378-3141.
The Community Foundations National Standards Board is a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations and is responsible for the quality, value and integrity of compliance with National Standards. For more information on the National Standards Board, visit its website at www.cfstandards.org.
