Family Foundations

The Council on Foundations defines a family foundation as one whose funds are derived from members of a single family, though this is not a legal term and has no precise definition. The Council on Foundations suggests that family foundations have at least one family member serving as an officer or board member of the foundation and, as the donor, that individual (or a relative) must play a significant role in governing and/or managing the foundation. Most family foundations are run by family members who serve as trustees or directors on a voluntary basis. In many cases, second- and third-generation descendants of the original donors manage the foundation.

Family foundations make up over half of all private (family, corporate, independent, and operating) foundations, or 40,456 out of approximately 73,764 foundations (Foundation Center, 2011(link is external)). Family foundations make up approximately one-third of the Council’s membership.

Family foundations range in asset size from a few hundred thousand dollars to more than $1 billion. The holdings of family foundations total approximately $294 billion, or about 44 percent of all foundation holdings of $662 billion. Despite this, three out of five family foundations hold assets of less than $1 million. Family foundations gave away approximately $21.3 billion in grants in 2011 (The Foundation Center, 2011).

Below is everything on our site for family foundations. 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.

Leading Forward: Innovations in Philanthropy Webinar Series

Next month, the Council on Foundations and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are kicking off a new webinar series on issues affecting philanthropy at a national level. Titled Leading Forward: Innovations in Philanthropy, the webinars will focus on three topics that are contributing to the…

Washington Snapshot - March 14, 2014

Camp Bill Sets Critical Precedent Stakeholders in every sector—including the Council—continue to delve into House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp’s (R-MI-4) Tax Reform Act of 2014 to get to the bottom of its wide-reaching implications. As we’ve been commenting since the bill’s…

Approaches to Place-Based Philanthropy

Communities across the country are experiencing rapid demographic shifts, and foundations that use place-based giving strategies must adapt their grantmaking to recognize these changes. Join us in a discussion about the multiple ways foundations define place-based philanthropy, its potential…

Blurred Lines and New Approaches to Working with Business, Nonprofits, and Government

As communities are being asked to address growing social challenges with diminishing resources, the field of philanthropy is placing increasing emphasis on collaboration with businesses, nonprofits, and government in its work for the common good. The webinar will examine the dynamic role of…

The Practices and Opportunities of Big Data in Philanthropy

‘Big Data’ is a hot topic in philanthropy. But what does it actually represent, and how can foundations be most effective in using this data to help inform and advance their work? The first installment of our Leading Forward webinar series will highlight different ways foundations are using Big…

Speaker Highlights

Speaker Highlights Kate Ahern, Vice President of Social Innovation, Case Foundation Ahern oversees a portfolio of activities, including the foundation’s impact investing work and its Be Fearless initiative. She also oversees corporate pro bono campaign A Billion + Change. In addition, she…

Washington Snapshot - March 7, 2014

Philanthropy Leaders Converge on D.C. for Philanthropy Week This was an eventful week at the intersection of philanthropy and public policy! Over 200 philanthropic leaders gathered in D.C. for the first annual Philanthropy Week in Washington, President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2015 Budget…

3 Ways to Bring Philanthropy Week to Your Community

Right now, over 200 leaders from across the philanthropic sector are uniting in Washington, D.C. to tell their lawmakers that thriving philanthropy builds thriving communities. As lawmakers contemplate comprehensive tax reform, individual changes to the tax code and the President’s FY2015 budget,…

President's Budget Proposes Key Domestic Investments

President Obama unveiled his Fiscal Year 2015 Budget yesterday, which sets forth the Administration’s spending and policy priorities for the coming year. The Budget presents a fiscal plan oriented around three White House priorities: accelerating economic growth, expanding opportunity for all…

Washington Snapshot - February 28, 2014

Chairman Camp Releases Tax Reform Proposal Dozens of provisions impact tax-exempt organizations As we let our readers know in a Washington Snapshot Breaking News alert on Wednesday, House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI-4) released his long-awaited comprehensive tax reform bill this week.…

Council on Foundations, Sector Leaders Join Forces Philanthropy Week in Washington March 3-7, 2014

As President Obama presents his proposed budget and as Congress considers comprehensive tax reform, proposed policy changes could have a significant – and potentially harmful – impact on philanthropy’s effectiveness. That’s why the Council on Foundations is pleased to welcome nearly 150 leaders…

Ways and Means Committee Chair Releases Tax Plan

This afternoon Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI-4), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, released a comprehensive plan to reform the individual and corporate tax codes. Find details of the proposed bill here: Executive Summary Summary of Bill Legislative Language Joint Committee on Taxation…

Washington Snapshot - February 21, 2014

BREAKING: Senate Philanthropy Caucus Briefing During Philanthropy Week The Council on Foundations is pleased to report that Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Burr (R-NC) will be chairing the Senate Philanthropy Caucus for the 113th Congress. During Philanthropy Week in Washington, March 3rd…

Field Comment Period Extended for Proposed Revisions to National Standards

The Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB) announces an extension to the public comment period for the Proposed Revised National Standards. These revisions are being made as part of a five-year review cycle and will remain open to public comment until February 26, 2014. The…

Invitation to Participate in Survey of Professional Development Needs

Tell Us About Your Professional Development Needs The Council on Foundations is pleased to invite you to participate in a national study about professional development for nonprofit and philanthropic professionals and board members. The study is sponsored by the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for…

2014 Annual Conference Call for Sessions

Call for Sessions Be a part of the 2014 Annual Conference: Philanthropy Exchange! The Council is issuing a Call for Sessions to leading civil and social innovators. We are looking to you for well-developed sessions that offer diverse perspectives, concrete solutions, and fresh insights…
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