Local Community Foundation Meets Rigorous Standards for Quality and Accountability

      Dunkirk, N.Y., January 30, 2012 ─ Northern Chautauqua Community Foundatn (NCCF) recently received notification that it has met the nation’s highest philanthropic standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability. The notice comes from the Council on Foundations, a national professional association based in Washington, D.C.

    “This is similar to the Good Housekeeping Seal for community foundations,” said Steve Gunderson, Council on Foundations president and chief executive officer. “It says that Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to accountability, excellence and service.”

     The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations Program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investment management, grantmaking and administration. With more than 700 community foundations nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

     “This is critically important to our donors,” said Diane Hannum, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation Executive Director. “When people make a charitable bequest, establish a fund or set up an annuity, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their wishes, and in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards confirmation says our house is in order.”

     Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause such as education or the environment, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the confirmation validates NCCF’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.

     “Some say it’s easier to create wealth than to give money away wisely,” said Peter Clark, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation board chair. “There’s some truth in that. Grantmaking is a lot like investing… we need to assess risks, weigh potential gains, diversify assets, monitor performance and operate fairly. When you see the National Standards Seal, you can be assured that we’re committed to meeting the highest standards for grantmaking as well.”

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

     It is the mission of the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation to enrich the area in which we live and work. Through philanthropic services, strategic investments and community leadership, NCCF helps people support the causes they care about, now and for generations to come.