COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MEETS EXCELLENCE IN PHILANTHROPY THROUGH NATIONAL STANDARDS

The Community Foundation Serving Howard, Carroll and Clinton Counties 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, Chair of the Community Foundations National Standards Board. "This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates the Community Foundation Serving Howard, Carroll and Clinton Counties 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 more than 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 accreditation validates the high standards we have established for the stewardship of our funds," said Hilda Burns, president of the Community Foundation Serving Howard, Carroll and Clinton Counties. "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 and honor their charitable wishes. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order. This is a re-certification for us and is a comprehensive opportunity to review our procedures."

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.

The Carroll County Community Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization governed by a volunteer board of local citizens. The purpose of the Foundation is to serve the interests of donors, to make grants and to act as a catalyst around issues of community importance in Carroll County. In addition to providing community support through endowed funds, the Foundation offers such services as a free will planning guide that is designed to help individuals as they prepare to work with their estate planning advisors.  Contact the Carroll County Community Foundation at (800) 964-0508 or visit the Web site at www.cfcarroll.org for a free copy of the will planning guide or for more information.