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.

Washington Snapshot - June 15, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… CHARITY Act is reintroduced in Senate Tax Reform Update: Freedom Caucus weighs in on tax reform Senate continues work on health care legislation Deadline for addressing debt limit more fluid than previously thought In the States: Budgets and late nights at…

Managing Effectively Across Differences: The Impact of Implicit Bias on Leadership

Event Details An intimate group of thought leaders from the higher education, philanthropic and corporate sectors came together for a unique convening designed to explore the impact of implicit bias on leadership and operational excellence. This convening aimed to accomplish the following…

Council on Foundations Statement on the Introduction of the CHARITY Act

Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill: “Today’s introduction of the ‘Charities Helping Americans Regularly Throughout the Year Act of 2017’ (CHARITY Act, S. 1343) is a welcome step towards protecting and growing our nation’s…

With Pride Month, We Remember the Push for Equality Continues

One year ago today, our nation was rocked by the horrific attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida. In a message expressing our solidarity with those affected by the attack, we noted that it was particularly tragic because this event occurred at a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and…

Supporting Organizations

Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources This chapter discusses the federal tax laws governing supporting organizations. As a result of the Tax Reform Act of 1969, private foundations receive considerably less favorable treatment under tax law…

What to Expect from an Audit

Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources This chapter addresses what foundations should expect from an audit. Nonprofits, including private foundations, are bracing for an uptick in audit activity from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as it…

Foundation Finance and Investment Management

Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources This chapter examines Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) and other laws that govern the management and investment of endowments and other foundation financial assets. It also…

Washington Snapshot - June 8, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Tax Reform Update: Congress must address a packed agenda before getting to tax reform “Johnson Amendment” may be discussed in House hearing DOE aims to reduce regulations following EO President Trump unveils infrastructure plan in budget In the States:…

Policy and Private Philanthropy Part 2: Effective Strategies for Supporting Public Policy Advocacy Campaigns

Members, access the recording. This webinar will help our private foundation members understand the rules for how they can participate in public policy advocacy. You will have a chance to listen to researchers from TCC documenting lessons from public policy advocacy campaigns supported by…

Policy and Private Philanthropy Part 1: President’s Budget and Congressional Appropriations

Members, Access the Recording Many of our private foundation members are worried about the President’s budget and how it will affect the nonprofit organizations they fund. This webinar is designed to give you a better understanding of the process and impact of the President’s proposed cuts to…

2017 Endowments & Finance Summit

Join us in New York! Now in its third year, the Endowments and Finance Summit is the premier convening to hear expert insights and have in-depth conversations on the best practices and financial strategies to get a competitive advantage in the philanthropic advisory marketplace. Here’s why…

Washington Snapshot - June 1, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Take Action: Extend the Charitable Deduction to All Americans Tax Reform Update: Competing legislative priorities complicate tax reform prospects State Reliance on Federal Funds New York Revitalization Act Amendments Go into Effect Extend the Charitable…

In Hilton Head, One Foundation Is Working to Provide Public Sewer to Homes

Editor’s Note: This blog post spotlights Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, which was one of 10 recipients of the 2017 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. The awards are a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Council on…

Washington Snapshot - May 25, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Ways and Means holds tax reform hearing, tension builds around border adjustment idea New research estimates sharp decrease in giving under proposed tax code changes Trump administration releases FY 2018 budget In the States: New York nonprofit contractors…

Global Philanthropy Update - May 2017

Council staff are back in D.C. after a whirlwind Annual Conference in Dallas last month, where we were joined by more than 1000 attendees from around the world. You can see conference highlights at cof.org/2017annual. Thank you to all of our global speakers and especially to our global conference…

Washington Snapshot - May 18, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Tax Reform Update: Ways and Means Committee holds hearings, Senate gears up for tax reform Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy named Hearing on IRS reform scheduled for tomorrow In the States: state budgets passing but on shaky footing; Mainers seek block…
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