WILLIAMSBURG — The Williamsburg Community Foundation (WCF) recently received accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence from the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations Accreditation Program.
The program certifies U.S. community foundations that meet and exceed federal and state law requirements in practice and by policy, according to its website. The Council on Foundations provides operational support for the National Standards program, which is directed and administered by the Community Foundations National Standards Board.
“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, board member of the Council on Foundations. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates Williamsburg Community Foundation demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity and accountability as it carries out its mission.”
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. The program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, legal and financial advisors.
“This is critically important to our donors,” said Nancy Sullivan, President and CEO of WCF. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they put their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely and honor their charitable wishes. The National Standards accreditation says our house is in order.”
Williamsburg Community Foundation works to meet critical community needs and support local causes, including the environment, arts, and education and offers a range of charitable funds to achieve those goals.
The accreditation also validates WCF’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community.
“Grantmaking is a lot like investing,” said Dr. Kathleen Slevin, Williamsburg Community Foundation board chair. “We need to assess risks, weigh potential gains, diversify assets, monitor performance and operate fairly. With our National Standards accreditation, you can be assured that we’re doing just that.”
