Grantmaking by U.S. community foundations rose an estimated 14 percent in 2007, according to a recent study by the Foundation Center.

The Key Facts on Community Foundations report said that the 717 community foundations in the U.S. gave a total of $4.1 million last year. Community foundations comprised just 1 percent of all U.S. foundations but made 9 percent of total foundation gifts.

About two-thirds of the community foundations surveyed said they expect to increase their giving again in 2008. "Since the beginning of the 1990s, community foundation giving has grown more quickly than overall foundation giving in all but two years," said Steven Lawrence, senior director of research at the Foundation Center. "Strong asset growth, new gifts and bequests from donors, and exceptional disbursements from donor-advised funds are the primary factors contributing to these gains."