COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MEETS EXCELLENCE IN PHILANTHROPY THROUGH NATIONAL STANDARDS

May 9, 2012 -- The Community Foundation serving Howard, Carroll and Clinton Counties has achieved the Certificate of Standards Compliance with the Ethical and Operational Standards for Indiana Community Foundations. The standards are administered through the National Association of Council on Foundations to verify foundations demonstrate accountability, transparency and continuous self-improvement.

"This certification establishes a high level of operational integrity for us," said Ron Harper, executive director of the Foundation. "When donors, advisors, volunteers and the community look at a foundation as a place to give, the standards ensure all participants that we have met benchmarks for quality in operations and service. This is a re-certification for us and a comprehensive way to review our procedures."

To attain certification, the Foundation went through a rigorous process that ensures community foundations follow excellence in philanthropic practice.

The National Standards serve as a guide for internal organizational development and as a tangible benchmark for external assessment of performance. The standards address six key areas: mission, structure and governance; resource development; stewardship and accountability; grantmaking and community leadership; donor relations; and communications.

The Clinton County Community Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organization created in 1996. The mission of the Foundation is to improve the quality of life of the community through the accumulation and stewardship of enduring charitable gifts. For details about making a charitable gift or establishing a permanent endowment fund to benefit a charitable organization or interest in Clinton County, please contact the Community Foundation at (800) 964-0508 or visit the Web site at www.cfclinton.org.