Informing Community Foundation Practice through Peer Data: FY21 Annual CF Insights Survey Results

Each year, CF Insights invites US community foundations to contribute to an updated snapshot of the field and a growing peer benchmarking dataset built to inform practice and strategic decision-making. Leaders at Candid (the current home of CF Insights until it officially moves to the Council on September 1, 2023) and the Council discussed the latest CF Insights Annual Survey Results reflecting fiscal year 2021. This webinar covered how community foundations can leverage comparative peer data to inform key strategic decisions.
Key takeaways from the most recent survey include:
Many community foundations, among the most responsive philanthropic entities during a crisis, reported significant increases in fundraising totals over 2020 levels, while maintaining or increasing grantmaking levels as the COVID-19 pandemic entered its second year.
Donor-advised funds continued to be a significant source of grantmaking, representing nearly 60% of all funds given among those who participated in the survey.
Market conditions and increases in fundraising contributed to accelerated asset growth across the field in 2021, with the median community foundation reporting a 19 percent year over year increase over 2020.
CF Insights Annual Survey results include several other data points, such as how different segments of the field sustain their operations and allocate resources to best serve their respective communities.