A community foundation typically is an organization that holds, invests, and administers a collection of separate funds - usually endowments - established by donors to meet the philanthropic goals of the donors and the needs of the community being served. 

          1.  Donors contribute money, stock, or other assets, usually to the community foundation's permanent endowment. In doing so,
               the donors can identify a wide variety of charitable causes and community needs. 

          2.  Funds are pooled and investments are overseen by a governing board. 

          3.  The governing board and its distributions or grants committee consist of a representative group of community leaders. 

          4.  Community foundations usually do not engage in fund-raising campaigns directed towards attracting large numbers of small
               contributions. 

          5.  Operating needs are typically satisfied through corporate and business support, board member support, and fund
               management fees. 

          6.  Planned gifts and bequests form the primary tool for endowment development. Often attorneys, financial planners and bankers
               utilize the community foundation vehicle to fulfill their client's wishes.