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Get StartedPhilanthropy Exchange Basics
Learn how to get started on the exchange and the basics of posting.
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FEATURED EVENT
Global Grantmaking Essentials
Practical Solutions for Foundation Staff Making Grants Abroad
October 9, 10, 16, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Virtual
Corporate Giving Programs and Foundations
Corporate Philanthropy refers to the investments and activities a company voluntarily undertakes to responsibly manage and account for its impact on society. It includes investments of money, donations of products, in-kind services and technical assistance, employee volunteerism, and other business transactions to advance a social cause, issue, or the work of a nonprofit organization. Corporate foundations and corporate giving programs traditionally play a major role in these areas.
Due to the large number of resources on our website, we highly recommend you use the site navigation or the search feature to find what you are looking for.
Sample Conflict of Interest Policy
Legal Compliance Guidance
Editable conflict of interest policies for staff and board members.
This sample document is being provided for informational purposes and is not to be shared without the permission of the Council on Foundations. Use of the sample document does not create an attorney-client relationship, and the…
Starting a Foundation
Fundamentals
Does the Council on Foundations provide assistance with starting a foundation?
Can we join the Council before our foundation is formed?
What are the general steps in starting a foundation?
Should we set up our foundation as a trust or a corporation?
What are the costs of starting a foundation…
Document Retention & Destruction Guidelines
Sample Document
This Document Retention and Destruction Policy of the Council on Foundations ("the Council") identifies the record retention responsibilities of staff, volunteers, members of the Board of Directors, and outsiders for maintaining and documenting the storage and destruction of the Council’s documents…
Public Disclosure Requirements for Foundations
Legal Compliance Guidance
Every organization exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code is required to disclose certain information to the public:
The organization’s exemption application, Form 1023, is subject to public disclosure, along with any documents supporting the application and any letters from…
IRS Search Tool: Select Check
External Resource
Grantmakers searching for more detailed information about the charitable status of their potential grantees may find the answers they need in the IRS Select Check tool.
This IRS online search tool allows the user to:
(1) search the IRS public charity list, known as IRS Publication 78, for data to…
Career Pathways
About the Career Pathways Program
Career Pathways, founded by the Council on Foundations in 2010, is a selective leadership development program that cultivates bold, representative, and inclusive decision-makers to lead the philanthropic sector. The program is rigorous, highly personal, and…
DEI & Legal Office Hour
During this session, participants will engage in a Q&A discussion with Council on Foundations Director of Legal Resources, Ben McDearmon, Staff Counsel, Remy Barnwell. & Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Yoo-Jin Kang, to address DEI and legal questions in the wake of the…
DEI Roundtable: Fostering Staff Wellbeing: Equity-Driven Policies
In our last session, we will examine how to create and implement policies that prioritize staff well-being with a focus on equity and inclusion. Operationalizing DEI means embedding these values into the very policies and practices that support staff, ensuring a healthy and supportive work…
DEI Roundtable: Re-Imagining Power in Philanthropy: Building and Sharing Power with our Board, Staff, and Communities
This roundtable will explore how to reimagine and redistribute power within philanthropic organizations to foster more equitable decision-making processes. Operationalizing DEI requires a fundamental shift in how power is held and shared, ensuring that diverse voices are included in shaping…
DEI Roundtable: Self & Community Care for DEI Practitioners: Strategies for Resilience and Overcoming Resistance
This session addresses the critical role of self and community care in sustaining DEI work. By prioritizing the well-being of practitioners, we create a foundation for resilience and long-term engagement. Operationalizing DEI begins with ensuring that those leading these efforts are equipped to…
Looking to 2025: What Does a New Congress Mean for Philanthropy?
In January the 119th Congress will be sworn in and take on the work of choosing leadership for the House and Senate, as well as for each of the 40+ Committees that make up Congress. Join this webinar to learn about the dynamics of the new Congress and how we expect the shifting policy environment…
Looking to 2025: Making Sense of the Elections
No matter who wins, this November’s election will alter dynamics in Washington, D.C. Amy Walter, a national political analyst and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, will break down what the election results could mean for your work and for the U.S. broadly. Then, hear from foundation…
Looking to 2025: What's at Stake?
As you know, most policy issues impacting philanthropy are tax policy issues. In December 2025, key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire, kicking off a race to develop new tax legislation. Even before we know the results of the 2024 election, Congressional committees and…
Meet the Council Expert! Q&A with Yoo-Jin Kang, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
Yoo-Jin considers herself bi-coastal with roots in the Pacific Northwest and the D.C./DMV area. In addition to her work with the Council, she’s currently working towards a Master’s degree in Public Health at UC Berkeley. Her focus is on how racism impacts health, especially in the workplace. She…
August Recess 2024 - Additional Resources
Foundations work on a variety of issues, only some covered by this packet. Below, find additional resources on policy issues the Council has been working on this Congress. You may find them helpful to prep your team, bring to a meeting, or share with an office after the fact.
Understanding Fiscal…
2024 UN General Assembly Philanthropic Side-Events
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Thursday, September 12, 2024
Play, pay and protection: Securing rights for child domestic workers
September 12 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. ET | In-Person
Philanthropies Represented: The Freedom Fund
Register Now
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Climate, Health, Peace, and Security in…