Foundation accreditation seal

Watertown Area Community Foundation Receives National Recognition

The Watertown Area Community Foundation regularly reconfirms accreditation with the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations establish legal, ethical, effective practices for community foundations everywhere.

“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 the Watertown Area Community Foundation demonstrates a commitment to transparency. U.S. Community Foundations program requires community foundations to document their policies for donor services, investments, grant making and administration. With over 500 community foundations accredited nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to their legal and financial advisors.

“This is critically important to our donors,” said Jan DeBerg, WACF executive director. “When people make a charitable bequest or establish a fund, they are putting 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.”

“WACF works to meet critical community needs and supports local causes, including the Boys & Girls Club, the CASA program and the Bramble Park Zoo, as well as supporting human services, education, arts and culture.”

The Watertown Area Community Foundation has reconfirmed accreditation since National Standards established the process about 14 years ago, explained DeBerg. It’s an important and worthwhile process to maintain and reconfirm the accreditation both for us and our donors. “I couldn’t be prouder to announce this accreditation. At the foundation, we offer 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 the Watertown Area Community Foundation’s grant-making practices for the nonprofit community.

“Grant making is a lot like investing,” said DeBerg. “We need to assess risks, weigh potential gains, diversify assets, monitor performance and operate fairly. With our National Standards accreditation, you can be assured we’re doing just that.”

National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations is the first program of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States. The Community Foundations' National Standards Board is a supporting organization of the Council on Foundations and is responsible for the quality, value and integrity of compliance with National Standards.