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). 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.

New Executive Leaders Roundtable - April 2023

Building Common Ground in Community Philanthropy Foundation leaders are key levers of change: uniquely positioned to advance change in their organizations, their communities and the broader field. The Council is excited to offer this program to provide support to leaders who are relatively…

Philanthropy's Response to 2023 Spring Tornadoes

Overview Severe storms and tornadoes ripped through the Southeast causing dozens of injuries and at least 26 deaths in late March, and in early April, continued to wreck devastation across a broad swath of the country from Arkansas to Delaware. To date, more than 50 people have lost…

Public Policy Action Network - June 2023 Meeting

The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…

Better Stories, Better Language: A New Voice for Philanthropy

The Council on Foundations and the Center for Public Interest Communications have recently completed a scan of the dominant narratives around foundations. Our findings, in short: We need better stories and better language if we really want to lift up the positive impact of our work, push back…

Public Policy Action Network - March 2023 Meeting

The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…

Trends in Philanthropy Tech: Findings from 2022 Survey of Grantmakers

Results are in from the 2022 State of Philanthropy Tech survey, conducted every two years by Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG). Join this interactive call to explore key findings and trends.   This is the only comprehensive survey on the current state of technology in…

Philanthropy's Response to the Turkey and Syria Earthquake

Overview More than 47,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands more injured after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey (Türkiye) and Syria, resulting in the deadliest earthquake to hit the region in over two decades. A large population of people had already been…

Closing the Wealth Gap to Strengthen American Communities

Every day, more than 50 million Americans live in or near financial crisis, threatening to undercut a future of shared prosperity, greater opportunity, and increased equity. How can funders effectively address this pervasive issue? In this webinar, we partner with Arabella Advisors to …

2022 Year in Review: Looking Within and Acting Together

At home and across the country, the Council community flourished in 2022. Check out the graphic below to see the metrics behind the impact, and read the full Year in Review, including a letter from our President and CEO, to learn more. Download the Year in Review.  

Philanthropy's Response to California's Storms

Overview California experienced one of the state's most devastating disasters this January when historic storms devastated a large portion of the state, leaving at least 20 people dead. There have been 9 atmospheric rivers, bringing massive flooding, tornado-like winds, dangerous mudslides, and…

From Polarization to Collaboration: Philanthropy’s Role in Bridging Differences

  To do our work well and uphold our promise to society, leaders in philanthropy must try to foster a sense of shared humanity, build common ground, and work collaboratively for the greater good. But how can we do that at a time of incredible division and mistrust? Join us for a…

Webinar: Senior Philanthropic Leaders Meeting with Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona

Executive leadership of the Council on Foundations and Hispanics in Philanthropy hosted this kick-off dialogue with foundation executives and senior staff with the U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona. Ulcca Joshi Hansen, Co-Interim Executive Director of Grantmakers for Education…

Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort

Applications Are ClosedApplications for our 2026 cohort closed Wednesday, February 25 at 11:59 p.m. ET.Interested in joining the next cohort? Fill out our interest form to be notified when applications open.Sign up for updatesThe Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort is a facilitated virtual…

Working Across Differences

Positive change doesn't always come easily, especially in times of division and mistrust. But the challenges we face are too big and complex for any one group to solve alone, and real solutions require input and action from a broad coalition of people and groups who sometimes disagree. The appetite…

Philanthropy Supporting Ukraine - January 2023

Since February 24, 2022, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians affected by the Russian war have sought safety in Canada and the United States.  The fourth funder-only roundtable series will focus on how Canadian and U.S. governments, alongside private and community foundations, have welcomed and…

Philanthropy's Response to Gun Violence and Mass Shootings

Overview Gun violence is a constant threat to communities across the United States. While mass shootings capture media attention and public outrage, gun violence is a specter over many Americans' daily lives.  Funders across the country have been called to action to address gun violence and…
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