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Local Voices

Community Foundation of Harford County receives national accreditation

Community Foundation of Harford County has received accreditation from the Community Foundations National Standards Board. The accreditation--The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations--is the nation's highest honor for philanthropic excellence.

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program requires community foundations to document their policies across all areas of operations, including donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. It is the first program of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States.

With more than 500 community foundations already accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

The National Standards for U.S. Community Founmdations establish legal, ethical and effective practices for community foundations. The Community Foundations National Standards Board, a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations, provided the accreditation and certified that the Community Foundation of Harford County meets the National Standards.

"Receiving accreditation from the Community Foundations National Standards Board is an extremely high achievement for any community foundation, and we at the Community Foundation of Harford County are very honored to be included," said Tamara W. Zavislan, executive director of the Community Foundation of Harford County. "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 support the local community. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order."

Community Foundation of Harford County (CFHC) is a nonprofit organization supported by the community through donations, enabiling individuals, families and businesses to leave a legacy to benefit the causes that matter on a local level. Charitable gifts are used to make Harford County stronger through grantmaking to local nonprofits and through scholarships. Since 2009, CFHC has awarded more than $140,000 in grants to Harford County nonprofit organizations. CFHC is one of 14 community foundations in Maryland and one of 700 across the country.

"Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process," said Hugh Ralston, chair of the Community Foundations National Standards Board. "This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that says Community Foundation of Harford County has demonstrated a commitment to quality, integrity and accountability."

For more information on the National Standards Board, visit www.cfstandards.org. For more information on Community Foundation of Harford County, visit www.cfharfordcounty.org.


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