August 25, 2011, Bettendorf, IA - The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend has received notification that it has again met the nation's highest philanthropic standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability. The notice comes from the Community Foundations National Standards Board, a national accreditation organization based in Arlington, Va.

"This is like a ‘Good Housekeeping Seal' for community foundations," said Diane Miller, Manager, Community Foundations National Standards Board. "It says that CFGRB has demonstrated a commitment to operational quality, integrity and accountability."

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. With over 400 community foundations already confirmed in compliance nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

"This is critically important to our donors," said Susan Skora, president and CEO of CFGRB. "When people make a charitable bequest, establish a fund or make a gift, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes and, in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards re-confirmation says our house is in order."

The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause such as education or the environment, support a specific organization, provide flexible support for community needs or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization's philanthropic services, the confirmation validates the Community Foundation's grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community. In 2010, CFGRB - with its affiliates in a 17-county area that includes parts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois -- distributed six million dollars in grants. CFGRB is the third largest community foundation in Iowa and the second largest in Illinois.

"Some say it's easier to create wealth than to give money away wisely," said Mike Drymiller, Board Chair of CFGRB. "There's some truth in that. Grantmaking is a lot like investing... we need to assess risks, weigh potential gains, diversify, monitor performance and operate fairly. When you see the National Standards Seal, you can be assured that we're committed to meeting the highest standards for grantmaking as well."

The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program is the first of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States.

The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend is a nonprofit organization that connects people who care with causes that matter. CFGRB meets the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations as established by the Council on Foundations.

The Community Foundations National Standards Board is a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations that administers and advances National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations by ensuring the integrity of the accreditation process and building the value of compliance. Visit www.cfstandards.org for more information about the program and organization.

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