Full Membership
Full membership is equal to membership on the League's Board of Directors and involves full fiduciary responsibility for the organization.

Membership in the League of California Community Foundations does not automatically constitute participation in all League funding initiatives. Funding initiatives are implemented on a case by case basis.

All League members are encouraged to join their national and regional affiliate organizations (e.g., Council on Foundations, Northern California Grantmakers, Southern California Grantmakers).

Criteria for Full Membership

• 501(c)(3) tax status



• 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) public charities tax code



• Meets Council on Foundations' definition of community foundation (public support test, broadly representative governing body, operates primarily as a grantmaking institution, defined geographical area, broad grants program, permanent collection of named funds, as described in the Council's Recommended Principles and Practices for Effective Grantmaking)



• Meets or exceeds the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations (Note: League members and associate members are committed to confirming their compliance with national standards through the most rigorous process adopted by the community foundation field.)



• Minimum of a full-time executive director



• Annual dues are paid at 100% level (see schedule under "Membership Dues")



• Minimum asset level of $5 million of which $1 million is in endowment



• A League member in good standing will be current in dues payment and will conduct business in a way that is consistent with the Statement of Mission, Goals, Principles and Values of the League.



• Membership is contingent upon successful completion of the application process, sponsorship by two League members and approval by a majority of League members.

Click here for the Full Membership Application.

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Associate Status
This is a nonvoting status. Associate members are able to participate in meetings and other League activities and may receive the same member services offered to full members. (This does not necessarily include retreats and specially scheduled events.)

Each new associate member will receive an orientation to the League, and is required to have the executive director and at least one board representative participate in that orientation.

Criteria for Associate Status

• 501(c)(3) tax status



• 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) public charities tax code



• Meets Council on Foundations' definition of community foundation (public support test, broadly representative governing body, operates primarily as a grantmaking institution, defined geographical area, broad grants program, permanent collection of named funds, as described in the Council's Recommended Principles and Practices for Effective Grantmaking)



• Meets or exceeds the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations (Note: League members and associate members are committed to confirming their compliance with national standards through the most rigorous process adopted by the community foundation field.)



• Minimum of a part-time executive director



• Membership is contingent upon successful completion of the application process, sponsorship by two League members and approval by a majority of League members.



• Minimum asset level waived for Associate status



• Annual dues paid at 50% level (see schedule under "Membership Dues")



• An associate member of the League in good standing will be current in dues payments and will conduct business in a way that is consistent with the Statement of Mission, Goals, Principles and Values of the League. After achieving associate status, associates must continue to maintain the criteria required for membership.



• Associate members are understood to be moving toward full membership and may not continue in associate status once they meet the criteria for full membership.

Click here for the Associate Membership Application.

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Membership Dues
Annual dues are payable and due in February of each year. Checks should be made payable and forwarded to the League of California Community Foundations, P.O. Box 1638, Rohnert Park, CA 94927.

Asset level under $5 million:   $3,500
(see Associate Member Application)

Asset level $5 – $10 million:   $6,000

Asset level $10 – $25 million:   $9,000

Asset level $25 – $50 million:   $12,000

Asset level $50 – $100 million:   $15,000

Asset level $100 – $200 million:   $18,000

Asset level $200 – $500 million:   $25,000

Asset level $500 – $1 billion:   $27,500

Asset level above $1 billion:   $32,000

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