# Place-Based Philanthropy An approach to charitable giving and social investment that targets resources toward a specific geographic area (a neighborhood, city, or region) rather than toward a single thematic cause. Instead of funding "education" or "health" globally, place-based philanthropy funds "this community" across whatever issues matter most locally. It privileges local knowledge, community ownership, and long-term commitment to a territory as the organizing logic for philanthropic action. --- ## Entries ### Community Foundations The most institutionalized expression of place-based philanthropy. Originated in Cleveland, Ohio (1914) as a vehicle for flexible, locally governed charitable giving. By 2014, over 1,800 community foundations existed worldwide. CFs are distinguished by being multithematic, locally governed, endowment-oriented, and focused on long-term community empowerment. In Brazil, [[Instituto para o Desenvolvimento do Investimento Social (IDIS)]], in partnership with the [[Charles Stewart Mott Foundation]], runs the _[Transformando Territórios_ program](https://transformandoterritorios.org.br/) (since 2020), supporting 15 CFs across 10 Brazilian states as of 2025.