The Montana Community Foundation (MCF) was again recognized for meeting the nation's highest standards for philanthropic excellence. MCF was re-accredited by the National Standards Board for U.S. Community Foundations, which is a peer-driven, voluntary, and self-regulatory accreditation program created by and for community foundations. The National Standards were created to demonstrate effectiveness and accountability to policymakers, regulators, and the public, establishing legal, ethical, and effective practices for community foundations.

“Our re-accreditation affirms our commitment to meeting the most rigorous standards in philanthropy and is a promise to our state that we’ll continue to do this good work together, right here in Montana,” says Mary Rutherford, MCF president and chief executive officer.

To receive accreditation with National Standards, MCF submitted its policies and procedures to a rigorous review of 26 National Standards in six key areas of community foundation operations, including donor services, investment management, grantmaking, and administration.

MCF was the first community foundation in the Last Best Place to earn this distinction. Through MCF’s accreditation, the accreditation is also conveyed to many local community foundations affiliated with MCF and operating under its 501(c)3. These include

• Blaine County Community Foundation
• Broadwater County Community Foundation
• Carter County Community Foundation
• The Community Foundation of Northern Rosebud County
• Culbertson Area Community Foundation
• Darby Town Endowment Fund
• Elkhorn Community Foundation
• Golden Prairie Community Foundation
• Great Falls Area Community Foundation
• Greater Glendive Community Foundation
• Hill County Community Endowment
• Lincoln County Community Foundation
• Lincoln Valley Community Foundation
• Powell County Community Foundation
• Redwater Community Foundation
• Roosevelt County Community Foundation
• Sheridan County Community Foundation
• Spanish Peaks Community Foundation
• Sunburst Community Foundation
• Tobacco Valley Community Foundation
• Treasured Community Foundation
• Colstrip Impacts Foundation
• Wibaux Endowment Foundation.

The National Standards’ accreditation process is not mandatory, but MCF is committed to maintaining its accreditation. “This significant accomplishment assures our donors, nonprofit partners, professional advisors, and the public that we are not only following legal guidelines, but also have made a commitment to operational excellence, accountability, and sound policies and procedures,” says Rutherford.

The Community Foundations National Standards Board is a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations and is responsible for the quality, value, and integrity of compliance with National Standards. For more information on the National Standards Board, visit its website at www.cfstandards.org.

The mission of MCF is to cultivate a culture of giving so Montana communities can flourish. Founded in 1988, MCF has reinvested more than $90 million in Montana through grants to charitable organizations and causes across the state. MCF manages more than $165 million in assets and administers more than 1,400 philanthropic funds and planned gifts.