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.

Nonprofit, Foundation Leaders Oppose Ban of Amendments to Remove anti-Johnson Amendment Rider from Appropriations Bill

The House Rules Committee approved a rule for consideration of the Financial Services and Interior/Environment “mini-bus” appropriations bill (H.R. 6147) that refuses to allow debate or action to remove a disingenuous provision that elevates partisan politics over nonprofit missions and…

How Do US Foundations Support Global Programs and Partners?

  New Data and Trends on International Giving Did you know that grants by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation accounted for almost 50% of all international grants awarded by US foundations? Or that between 2011 and 2015, only 12% of funds went directly to local organizations without…

Post-Graduation Scholarships

A post-graduation scholarship is a type of charitable grant that foundations would make to attract individuals with career skills needed in a particular region to make their homes and build their careers in that community. A post-graduation scholarship would be awarded to an individual who has…

Washington Snapshot: Council Sends Letter to the Hill Outlining UBIT Concerns, President Trump Taps Supreme Court Nominee

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Council Sends Letter to the Hill on UBIT Concerns Rettig Comments on Johnson Amendment, SALT Workarounds in Senate Finance Hearing President Trump Nominates Judge Kavanaugh to Replace Justice Kennedy Council and FEMA Announce New Partnership to Assist in…

Sponsors

The Council would like to thank all of the sponsors for their support of the 2018 HR Summit. Wellness Partner The Colorado Health Foundation www.coloradohealth.org Summit Partners California Health Care Foundation www.chcf.org The Annie E. Casey…

Reception with the Philanthropy Caucus

Philanthropic leaders from across the country, national charitable organizations, lawmakers, and Congressional staff joined the Philanthropy Caucus for this reception to recognize the role of philanthropy as a unique stakeholder in collective efforts to address some of today's toughest challenges.

Philanthropy Caucuses Reception

The House and Senate Philanthropy Caucuses came together for a social reception as a part of Philanthropy Week in Washington 2016. Representatives from a variety of national charitable organizations, lawmakers, and Congressional staff joined this event to recongize the role of philanthropy as a…

Reception with the Philanthropy Caucus

This reception brought together philanthropic leaders from across the country, philanthropic and nonprofit leaders, Members of Congress, and Congressional staff to celebrate the role of philanthropy as a unique stakeholder in collective efforts to address some of today's toughest challenges.

Congressional Briefing: Transitioning Vets - Philanthropy's Role in Veterans' Health and Mental Health

Part of the Council on Foundations Veterans Philanthropy Series Leaders from the charitable sector discussed the lessons philanthropy has learned while working to improve veterans' health and mental health.

Congressional Briefing: Impact of Tax Reform on Charitable Giving

Leaders from the charitable sector discussed how changes to the tax code could impact charitable giving and the nonprofit sector. The briefing explored new research conducted by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University on the unintended effects of such changes on the scope and…

Change from the Bottom Up

Members, View the Recording This is a challenge that resonates with many communities across the country: Lancaster County, PA was suffering from many of the same problems that smaller communities throughout the U.S. have encountered throughout the past few decades -- stagnating job growth and…

Congressional Briefing: Voter Perceptions of the Charitable Sector

The Independent Sector, the Council on Foundations, and the Alliance for Charitable Reform/Philanthropy Roundtable, in cooperation with the House Philanthropy Caucus, came together for a briefing on voter perceptions of the charitable sector from 8:00-9:30 am on Thursday, September 22, 2016 in Room…

Growing a Community of Philanthropy

The word ”philanthropy” means the love of humanity. It manifests itself as generosity by individuals and organizations for the public good. We’ve seen extraordinary transformations in the Paso de Norte region brought about by the generous spirit of philanthropists – large and small – whose love for…

Washington Snapshot: Senate Finance Committee to Question Nominee for IRS Commissioner, House Democrats See Major Upset in Key Primary Race

Please note, we will not be sending Washington Snapshot next week due to the 4th of July holiday. We hope everyone enjoys a safe and fun day off! In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Justice Kennedy Announces Retirement Rettig Hearing House Leaders Willing to Discuss UBIT Issues for Tax Reform 2…

Our Nation's Giving Trends: What Does the Giving USA Report Mean for Foundations?

Members, View the Recording Charitable giving surged to $410 billion in 2017, the highest ever, according to Giving USA 2018: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2017. Foundation grants for the year grew to $67 billion. But can the growth sustain itself and how will future giving be…

Philanthropy's Role in Strengthening Democracy

View the Recording Join foundations and philanthropy serving organizations from across the country for a webinar on July 11th at 2pm EST. “Philanthropy's Role in Strengthening Democracy” is co-sponsored by Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, and Nonprofit VOTE. The webinar…
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