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.

Building Capacity Through Pooled Funds

Discover how pooled funds and collaborative grantmaking foster nonprofit resilience by supporting key capacity-building activities, such as executive transitions and sustained collaboration. This session will  highlight how funders can flexibly support nonprofits through intermediary giving…

The Role of Place Based Funders in Keeping People and Communities Safe

When someone is harmed by those meant to support them, an organizations’ inability to prevent abuse receives intense public scrutiny, as seen with cases such as U.S. Gymnastics and the Boy Scouts. But what is the role of foundations in ensuring that their grantees are preventing harm? How do you…

Building Bridges for a Vibrant Future

This session will explore how national place-based funders play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community through collaboration. Participants will learn from case studies from local service partners that illustrate successful strategies for community engagement and practical tools for…

Building a Culture of Dialogue Across Differences - SOLD OUT

Hosted by Council on Foundations Participants in this half-day workshop will be introduced to Resetting the Table’s celebrated approach to developing the tools to build a culture of productive dialogue on charged issues even in the face of strong differences. Participants exchange views and…

Transformative Philanthropy in Native American Communities

This discussion will explore sustainable investments in Native communities, Native Nations, and Tribal-led programs. It will highlight transformative initiatives led by Native Americans in Philanthropy and the Bush Foundation. Panelists will discuss their process of grantmaking based on extensive…

Breaking Barriers to Business in the Southeast

For undercapitalized economic corridors, small businesses face many hurdles. By combining the expertise of three national partners, Truist Foundation’s multi-year initiative "Where It Starts," aims to strengthen small businesses and create career pathways for underserved communities. In this…

Bold Strategies to Uplift Humanity in Uncertain Times

Philanthropic institutions are facing mounting challenges in their pursuit of a just world for all. Foundation leaders must confront these legal, communication, and reputational risks head-on support the communities they serve. In this session, tailored for CEOs, participants will learn about…

Understanding Heirs' Property Issues and Opportunities

Heirs’ property is inherited property that has been passed down without a will or other legal instruments and affects a family's ability to maintain stable housing and build intergenerational wealth. Present in all ethnic groups and geographies, it is concentrated in those with lower incomes or…

Affordable Housing Is a Group Project

The session would be focused on the centrality of collaborative, braided funding (public, private, philanthropic) and other resources for affordable housing to effectively address our nation's lack of affordable housing supply. This session is for foundation leadership and staff working on systems…

Opening Plenary Session: United in Giving, Then and Now

Approaching its 250th anniversary, our nation has the opportunity—and the obligation—to reflect: How can these United States truly recognize the contributions of all who live here? And how can we work together on the path toward our ultimate goal: a multiracial, multicultural democracy where…

Advancing Health and Wealth Equity Through a Community-Centered Economic Inclusion Model

Community-centered economic development frameworks drive more accessible economic growth.  These frameworks take an interdisciplinary approach to community development, address social determinants of health, and require collaboration between stakeholders to create grassroots change. Learn…

What Makes Nonprofits Stand Out to Funders?

This discussion will explore what funders (including donors to community foundations) need from nonprofits in order to connect them to funding opportunities and philanthropic investors.  Join a candid conversation about the ways organizations and funders might inadvertently create barriers to…

Addressing Generational Poverty at the ZIP Code Level

In this session, attendees will learn why and how one funder decided to address generational poverty at the ZIP code level to reduce human suffering and improve health outcomes. Presenters will cover how to identify the right lead organization and the right leaders in the community and how to…

Working Together in Times of Disaster: 2020 to Present

This session will showcase lessons learned in disaster response from the 2020 global pandemic to the 2024 hurricanes that devastated Florida’s Gulf Coast. A collective effort from every department rooted in trust, clarity, and alignment is essential in deploying life sustaining support, as quickly…

Activating Community Leadership Through the Lens of Indigenous Philanthropy

Many philanthropic organizations struggle to build and maintain authentic community relationships, stifling the work they hope to support. Conventional practices and transactional interactions can hinder genuine connection and lasting impact. This session invites you to learn how Indigenous…

A Place-Based Approach to Advancing Economic Mobility

Join CFLeads to learn about community foundations that are leading economic mobility work in their communities. Hear about how these community foundations have navigated the complex social, economic, and political issues that have affected economic mobility in their cities and…
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