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 - April 13, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Tax Reform Update: Congress may be in recess this week, but tax reform is still the talk of the town Congress Adjourns for Recess Without Clear Strategy on Spending Legislation Gorsuch Swearing In Returns SCOTUS to Full Capacity White House Lifts Hiring…

Starting a Foundation: Formation and Considerations

Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
Many people want to start foundations, but few start out knowing exactly what sort of organization they are going to create. The purpose of this e-book is to help potential donors understand the many different entities that are commonly referred to as foundations and to provide an understanding of…

Washington Snapshot - April 6, 2017

In This Week's Edition of Snapshot… Tax Reform Update: Congress and the administration have yet to reach consensus on an approach to tax reform Government funding is set to expire at the end of this month Private foundations and the charitable deduction—yes, you may lobby! In the States:…

Sustainability in Grant-Giving in a Conflict-Ridden Part of the World

Healing Across the Divides (HATD) is a new member of the Council on Foundations. We joined the Council to learn from others facing similar challenges globally and connect with funders to explore issues such as finding ways to better build grantee sustainability. Our mission is to “improve the…

2017 HR Summit: Achieving Equity in the Workplace

The 2017 HR Summit: Achieving Equity in the Workplace, co-hosted by the Council on Foundations and CHANGE Philanthropy, was a unique opportunity to learn how to make attendees' foundations — and philanthropy as a whole — more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Want to attend this year? Visit…

Washington Snapshot - March 30, 2017

In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot… Tax Reform Update: What’s next for tax reform now following the ACA mishap? Congress aims to avoid government shutdown Administration weighs in as Congress gears up for a spending bill In the States: Property Tax Fights Continue in the Courts and…

Keep Partisan Politics Out of the Nonprofit Sector

This was first published on March 22 in The Hill. Washington, D.C., may be the most partisan place on earth, where anything and everything is judged by which political party you support, rather than the substance of what’s being discussed. Well, thank goodness that perspective is not shared by our…

Washington Snapshot - March 23, 2017

In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot… Philanthropic and charitable leaders join the Philanthropy Caucus for a reception Tax Reform Update: House expected to vote on repealing the ACA today, tax reform hangs in the balance Gift substantiation bill reintroduced in the Senate Council, National…

Webinar Recording: The Private Foundation Minimum Distribution Requirement: The Ins and Outs of Section 4942

 

From Jamaica to Virginia: Initial Thoughts About My Atlas Corps Journey

Excited, relieved, eager, anxious—those were some of the feelings I experienced when I found out I was selected as an Atlas Corps Fellow to serve at the Council on Foundations. I was working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Jamaica when I received the confirmation email…

Global Philanthropy Update — March 2017

How did you celebrate International Women’s Day this year? Council staff wore red in solidarity with the “A Day Without a Woman” campaign. Are you worried about how proposed cuts to USG development funding might impact your international grantmaking? I recently spoke to the Chronicle about what we'…

Washington Snapshot - March 16, 2017

In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot… Meet our team! Tax Reform Update: ACA repeal faces obstacle following the release of a CBO report East coast snow storm prompts a bipartisan road trip from Texas to D.C. The President’s budget is released President Trump issues new executive order In the…

Philanthropy as Catalysts for Collaboration

This post also appeared on SDG Philanthropy Platform's blog on March 14, 2017. What do Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the U.S. have in common, when it comes to helping implement the Sustainable Development Goals? In all four countries, philanthropy associations are working with local networks of…

Council Contributions to Recent Legal Cases

As part of its advocacy work, the Council may weigh in on, or participate in, important legal cases when significant issues arise that will impact our members and the field. The Council’s participation is often as Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) whereby the Council, although not a party to the…

2017 Annual Conference - Networking Events

Networking Events #COFAnnual is the place to connect with leaders in philanthropy, government, and other sectors — and to create future opportunities for collaboration. While every minute at #COFAnnual is an opportunity to network, these events are tailored for you to socialize…

What Happens When the U.S. Sanctions U.S. Charities?

Do you know what happens when the U.S. sanctions U.S. charities? If you answered no, you wouldn’t be alone. It can lead to funds being frozen indefinitely, despite tax rules requiring that they be distributed for charitable purposes when a charity shuts down. Cherie L. Evans of Evans & Rosen…
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