League of California Community Foundations

The program has helped us be more innovative and impactful from Day 1. As a brand new community foundation, the collective wisdom and peer support in times of need have strengthened our ability to navigate challenges like a serious wildfire in our first year of operation. We are truly thankful for the Growing Community Foundation Circle and the collaboration it fosters, providing invaluable support, shared knowledge, and a strong sense of community.
Annette KamaloniExecutive Director, Lake County Community Foundation
This program has been a huge help - we've had access to incredible educational opportunities, learned about grant opportunities, and built connections that have made a real difference in our ability to support the community.
John WilliamsonExecutive Director, Amador Community Foundation
Community foundations have such an important and established role.  As we grow to take on more challenges facing our county, this cohort has been such a vital resource providing direction and technical assistance.  The connections have helped us grow much faster than when we were on our own. The provides us the framework, and confidence, to make the journey that many other California community foundations have gone through.
Bill Cummings
Bill CummingsBoard Chair, Community Foundation Merced County
As a new Executive Director I have gained valuable insight into how to grow our community foundation; especially helpful were the presentations on sustainability. The network is a wonderful resource whenever you are facing a new challenge; everyone is so willing to share ideas.
Janis Heckel
Janis HeckelExecutive Director, Anaheim Community Foundation
Sharing ideas with Executives from smaller community foundations has given me some good benchmarks for various protocols our own CF is considering, such as the fee structure for our DAFs, following up with potential donors, and more.
Marianne Haver Hill
Marianne Haver HillExecutive Director, Community Foundation of the Valleys

The Growing Community Foundations Circle is a network of small and emerging community foundations across California that fosters networking, training, capacity building, and shared learning. The Circle is an initiative of the League of California Community Foundations (LCCF).

Circle participants:

  • Share questions and resources year-round via a dedicated peer listserv
  • Meet virtually every quarter for peer discussions, workshops, and guest speaker presentations
  • Meet in person annually for a facilitated retreat led by community foundation experts
  • Receive one complimentary seat at the Community Foundation Boot Camp course (normally $400-500 per person)
  • Enjoy complimentary access to Fiduciary Training for Community Foundation Boards (normally $250 per person)
  • Are eligible to apply for grants from the California Disaster Relief, Recovery and Resilience Fund
  • Participate in the League’s staff-led Peer Groups including: Marketing & Communications, Programs, Scholarships, Finance & Investment, and Development

2026 Circle

2025 Circle

2024 Circle

2023 Circle

2022 Circle

Recent Workshop Topics

  • Strategic Planning
  • Community Philanthropy Models and Lifecycles
  • Staffing Small Community Foundations
  • Working with Professional Advisors
  • Getting Started with Community Leadership
  • Working with Private and Family Foundations
  • Long-Term Growth Strategies
  • Donor-Advised Funds
  • Board Development and Recruitment
  • Marketing and Branding
  • Fund Development
  • Donor Stewardship

Join the Circle

The Growing Community Foundation Circle is open to a community foundation that:

  • Has total assets under management below $10M
  • Has its principal office in the state of California
  • Operates to serve a geographic community in the state of California
  • Has a governing board
  • Has at least one part-time paid staff person, or plans to hire its first paid staff person within 1 year
Apply to the Growing Community Foundation Circle