Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Community Foundation?

  • Tax-exempt, public-supported organization

  • Made up of individual, permanent endowment funds

  • Managed by a single administrative body

  • Also manage special project funds

How do Community Foundations benefit communities?

  • Provides an avenue for philanthropy to benefit local non-profit organizations and community projects.

  • Income from the endowment funds is granted to local charities and scholarships.

How do Community Foundations decide who receives grants?

  • The donor determines what areas of philanthropy they would like to support when a fund is established.

  • The fund can be designated to support a specific charity such as a church, non-profit agency, school district or college scholarships and can support a broad field of interest such as human services, arts, humanities, community development, or youth activities.

  • A fund can be unrestricted, where the Columbia Basin Foundation's Board decides where the funds are needed most.

Who runs the Columbia Basin Foundation?

  • The CBF Board of Directors consists of private citizens who are chosen to be representative of the public interest and for their knowledge of their community and our region. The 9 to 15 Directors are members of various communities served by the Foundation. They serve staggered three-year terms.

  • The Office Administrators and Board Members are committed to the philanthropic mission and goals of the foundation.

What are some other reasons for making charitable contributions through CBF?

  • Ensure that your gift will have lasting impact.

  • The Board of Directors make the donor's wishes their priority.

  • Donations can be anonymous.

  • Contributions are tax deductible.

  • Donations can be made at any time, in any amount.

  • Work with the staff while directing donations to multiple charities.

  • The staff can work with you and your professional advisor to coordinate bequests to multiple organizations with the assurance of complete confidentiality.

  • The Columbia Basin Foundation publishes its financial information annually and it is available upon request from the Foundation office.