Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA) recently received renewed accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® establishes legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations.

“Meeting the National Standards’ benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Randy Royster, Council on Foundations board member and Albuquerque Community Foundation president. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates Community Foundation for the Alleghenies 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, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

CFA offers a range of charitable funds, allowing donors to advance a cause, support an individual organization, provide flexible support for community needs, or recommend individual grants. In addition to affirming the organization’s philanthropic services, the accreditation validates CFA’s grantmaking practices for the nonprofit community. For more information on the National Standards Board, visit www.cfstandards.org.

“This is critically important to our donors, to the community we serve, and to us here at CFA,” CFA President Mike Kane said. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage their investments wisely, honor their charitable wishes and, in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards accreditation demonstrates that we are equipped to meet our donors’ needs and committed to doing so in accordance with best practices and the highest standards of excellence.”