Membership Types

Community Foundations

Community Foundations seek support from the public and administer funds from various donors in a defined geographic area, typically no larger than a state.

Private Grantmakers

Private Grantmakers include private, independent, and family foundations, generally founded by an individual, family, or group of individuals.

Corporate Grantmakers

Corporate Grantmakers include corporate foundations and corporate giving programs that are funded by companies as separate legal entities.

Grantmaking Public Charities

Public charities are grantmaking organizations that raise and administer funds from various individual and organizational donors.

Non-US & Tribal Grantmaker

Non-US foundations outside of the US. Tribal Grantmakers use grants to support native communities in the US and globally.

Non-Grantmakers

Non-grantmakers can join as associate members. This includes for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations, and sole-practitioners that provide services to support the philanthropic sector.

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Why Join the Council on Foundations?

We are charting a course for the field where funders display high integrity, earn and maintain the public's trust, and serve as excellent stewards of philanthropic resources. We look forward to having you join us!

For more information about Council on Foundations membership, contact a member of our team at membership@cof.org or via phone at 202-991-2225 or 800-673-9036 for those outside the United States.

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Membership Benefits
Networking & Connecting
Gain access to our online member directory where you can connect with peers, attend in-person Council events, and join our online platform, the Philanthropy Exchange.
Legal Consultation
Boost your understanding of sector-specific legal issues and access our regularly updated Legal Compendium and Legal Resources team to stay in-the-know on legal matters impacting the sector.
Philantropic Expertise
Receive personalized support from Council staff on issues ranging from fundamentals of operating a foundation to global grantmaking, as well as access to our members-only grantmaking resources center on cof.org.
Government Relations
Work with our Government Affairs team to build your capacity to advocate on behalf of nonprofits and your community and inform the Council's public policy agenda.
Professional Development
Take advantage of member-exclusive discounts to trainings and capacity building programs to deepen your learning, including conferences, summits, in-person workshops, and webinars.
Leadership Opportunities
Enhance your leadership skills by presenting at conferences, developing unique session ideas, volunteering on advisory groups, and recommending nominees for our annual Awards program.
Sector Issues & Updates
Remain up to date on the challenges and opportunities shaping philanthropy and share stories about your organization's impact through exclusive communications, including our members-only e-newsletters.
Savings & Discounts
Enjoy annual savings through discounted registration for Council events and free or discounted access to publications, member resources, and research, including our annual Grantmaker Salary and Benefits report.
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Membership Benefits

What Our Members Say

Ready to join the Council?

The Council on Foundations fosters an environment where philanthropy can thrive and cultivates a community of diverse and skilled philanthropic professionals and organizations who lead with integrity, serve as ethical stewards, and advocate for progress.