Community Foundation Receives National Recognition

The Community Foundation of Noble County Receives National Recognition
Local Organization Accredited with Rigorous Philanthropic Standards

Kendallville, IN—Community Foundation of Noble County 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 Community Foundation of Noble 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, grantmaking 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 important to our donors,” said Margarita White, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Noble County. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes. The Community Foundation of Noble County works to meet critical community needs and support local causes, including, “supporting the arts, parks, education, local scholarships, and many other community needs. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order.”

The Community Foundation of Noble County offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates the Community Foundation of Noble County’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.

“Grantmaking is a lot like investing,” said Tom Leitch, Program Director, Community Foundation of Noble County. “We need to assess risks, weigh potential gains, diversify assets, monitor performance, and operate fairly. With our National Standards accreditation, you can be assured that we’re doing just that.”

National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® is the first program of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States.

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