Once again, your Community Foundation is recognized as a leader in its field by being one of the first in the country to submit documentation for compliance with National Standards for Community Foundations.  Two large binders of materials along with electronic files on disc will be delivered this month to the Council on Foundations in Washington D.C. for review by specially trained peers.  “This process is really a national movement toward strengthening the effectiveness of the Community Foundation field,” said Brian Frederick, Greater Lorain County President and CEO.  “Everything from governance to fund agreements to marketing materials have been submitted to support our compliance with the 43 standards.”   The Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County and the Ann Arbor Community Foundation have also agreed to share their compliance documents electronically with other smaller foundations in the Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana areas in an effort to assist them through the compliance process.

By July, the Community Foundation of Greater Lorain County should receive word if it is in compliance.  By January 2006, the Foundation should receive a seal that it can use to demonstrate that it is certified and in compliance.

CEO Frederick has served on the Council on Foundations Standards Action Team since the idea of National Standards came about in 2000.  Greater Lorain County CFO Cheryl McKenna has been trained as a peer reviewer.  “This is our way of sharing our expertise and demonstrating leadership within our field,” said Frederick.