For Immediate Release
Contact: Lauren Deiorio
Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County
(352) 622-5020
info@ocalafoundation.org
www.ocalafoundation.org
Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County Receives National Recognition
Local Organization Accredited with Rigorous Philanthropic Standards
Ocala, FL (December 1, 2026) The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County has received national accreditation from the Council on Foundations, achieving the nation’s highest standard for philanthropic excellence. The Community Foundations National Standards® accreditation affirms legal, ethical, and effective practices for community foundations across the United States.
“Meeting the National Standards benchmarks is a rigorous, comprehensive process,” said Susie Nelson, board chair of National Standards. “This accreditation is a significant accomplishment that indicates the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County demonstrates a commitment to transparency, quality, integrity, and accountability as it carries out its mission.”
The National Standards® program requires community foundations to document and adopt best practices across donor services, investments, grantmaking, governance, and financial administration. With over 500 accredited community foundations nationwide, the program ensures donors and their legal and financial advisors can rely on responsible stewardship and high-quality service.
“This is critically important to our donors,” said Lauren Deiorio, President & Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County. “When people establish a fund or make a charitable bequest, they place their trust in us. They expect us to manage their charitable assets wisely, honor their intentions, and strengthen the community for generations. This accreditation affirms that we uphold strong, reliable, and well-established practices.”
The Foundation offers a wide range of charitable giving options such as donor advised funds, designated funds, scholarship funds, corporate giving funds, and community impact funds that allow donors to support specific causes, partner strategically with nonprofits, or provide flexible resources for emerging needs. In addition to affirming strong donor services, the National Standards accreditation validates the Foundation’s exemplary grantmaking practices and commitment to a thriving nonprofit sector.
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About the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County
The Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County is dedicated to strengthening the community through philanthropy, nonprofit support, and strategic partnerships. Established to connect donors with meaningful charitable opportunities, the Foundation manages a growing portfolio of funds and leads initiatives that build capacity, expand opportunity, and support long-term community well-being. Through philanthropic services, community leadership, and strategic investments, the Foundation helps people support the causes they care about now and for generations to come.
About the National Standards Program
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. For more information on the National Standards Board, visit www.cfstandards.org.
