Local Organization Accredited with Rigorous Philanthropic Standards

The Community Foundation of the Florida Keys recently received reaccreditation 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, board member of the Council on Foundations. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission.”

“While over 92% of larger community foundations have achieved this accreditation, it is more unusual for an organization our size,” said Jennifer McComb, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. “In 2005, the first community foundations were accredited, and we achieved this milestone the very next year. Every three years we invest labor and expense to have our fund agreements, procedures, policies analyzed by experts for reaccreditation.

“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, honor their charitable wishes and, in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order,” McComb said.

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. The program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.