Introduction to Community Foundation Finance

Build your core competency skills in the financial functions of your community foundation. This introductory course offers a clear, practical overview of key concepts in accounting, budgeting and investment management – and how they impact your community foundation work. You’ll also gain insight into the current trends and forces shaping financial practices in the field. Led by David Bennett, author of Understanding Community Foundations, this session will jumpstart your knowledge in this specialized community foundation field.   

What you’ll take away 

• An introduction to accounting processes, software and administrative functions.   
• An overview of key financial management concepts and investment strategies.   

Who should attend 

• Finance staff at community foundations with less than three years of experience.  
• Community foundation staff who want to build a broader understanding of finance functions.  

Module 1: Accounting Processes and Software 

• The Community Foundation Field in 2026 
• Fund Accounting and Fund Statements 
• Investment Income and Management Fee Allocations 
• Administrative Fees on Funds 
• Reconciliations 
• Accounting for Agency Endowments 
• Internal Controls 

Module 2: Finance, Fund Development and Investments 

• Overview of Taxes and Charitable Giving 
• Different Types of Gifts 
• Documenting Charitable Gifts 
• Accounting for Planned Gifts 
• Qualified Charitable Distributions 
• UMIFA/UPMIFA 
• Investment Committees 
• Investment Strategies 
• Use of External Investment Managers 
• Spending Policy