The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation Recognized for Meeting Nation’s Highest Standards in Philanthropy

Tacoma, WA, March 01, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation today announced that it has met the nation’s highest standards in philanthropy for operational quality, integrity and accountability. The National Standards Seal designation is bestowed by the Council on Foundations, a national professional association of more than 1,700 grantmaking foundations and corporations, after a rigorous examination of compliance with 43 standards. Only 250 other community foundations out of more than 700 nationwide have been confirmed in compliance with National Standards.

“The National Standards Seal is a significant demonstration of our unwavering commitment to implementing best practices in all areas of our work,” said Rose Lincoln Hamilton, President and CEO of The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. “This is critically important, as it confirms that we are a leader within the field of philanthropy, committed to transparency, financial responsibility and maintaining the trust of our donors and the broader community.”

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations were developed in 2000 to provide a blueprint for internal development and a set of common benchmarks for external assessment. The National Standards address six key areas of community foundation operations: mission, structure and governance; resource development; stewardship and accountability; grantmaking and community leadership; donor relations; and communication.

The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation was the first community foundation in Washington to earn the Nation Standards Seal in 2006 and met the extensive slate of updated and rigorous standards to be reconfirmed this year.

In the United States, community foundations serve tens of thousands of donors and administer nearly $40 billion in charitable funds.

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