A community foundation is a charity that helps other charities. The donations and gifts provided to the community foundation are invested in permanent endowments or funds. The income generated from these funds is then distributed to charitable causes in the community.

Community foundations provide donors with a lasting way to make a difference in their community by building those donations through endowments or trust funds. Foundations also provide grants to community organizations and act as community conveners and leaders.

A community foundation is different than other charitable organizations. Instead of providing charitable services, we provide support to a wide range of charities.

Community foundations are locally run, public foundations that build and manage endowment funds. We work with donors to connect them with issues and organizations that meet their charitable goals. We bring people together from throughout the community and all walks of life to identify and address local issues.

The granting process allows the foundation to anticipate and respond to changing community needs. With today's rapid pace of change, there is no assurance that any organization or institution in our community will continue to exist a generation from now. This isn't the case with the Lethbridge Community Foundation. Our flexibility and ability to move with the times ensures your Foundation will make wise grants forever.

Currently there are 160 Canadian Community Foundations with combined assets of more than $2 billion.

The Grants Committee, which is made up of community volunteers, reviews applications for assistance from the Community Impact Fund. The Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors for approval.

Gifts, large and small, come from individuals, organizations and corporations. Gifts can be in the form of cash, appreciated securities, bequests or insurance policies, to name a few options. The foundation has received gifts ranging in size from $10 to large estates. Whatever the size of your gift, the foundation can help you make a lasting difference in our community.