Private Foundations
Private foundations make grants based on charitable endowments. The endowment funds come from one or a small handful of sources -- an individual, a family or a corporation. Because of their endowments, they are focused primarily on grantmaking and generally do not raise funds or seek public financial support the way public charities (like community foundations) must.
“Private foundation” is the umbrella term that includes corporate, independent, family, and operating foundations. As of 2011, there were 73,764 private foundations in the United States (Foundation Center, 2011).
In 2011, private foundations held more than $604 billion in assets and gave away more than $45 billion (Foundation Center, 2011).
Below is everything on our site for private 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.
Revolutionizing Proposal Data Sharing for Funders and Changemakers
This session will introduce “Exchange” powered by the Philanthropy Data Commons (PDC), a novel application that connects proposal data submitted to individual funders and stored in siloed grant management systems and allows grantees to reuse and update their proposal data. Designed for foundation…
Small Funder Collaboration on Mission Aligned Investing
Are you a smaller funder looking to navigate the complexities of impact investing? The path can feel daunting, especially when most resources are tailored to larger foundations. Join this session to discover how smaller foundations can harness the power of collaboration, gain board support, invest…
Creating Pathways to Homeownership
Learn how a funder, a housing agency and local community builders co-created a housing solution that tangibly impacts people’s lives in rural communities. Pathways To Homeownership helps low- to middle-income residents purchase a home, and invests in small-scale housing developers to create…
Resilience and Trauma-Informed Leadership
Do you wonder how to stay engaged and keep moving forward while navigating the current moment? Do you worry about caring for yourself and your team while also getting the work done and rising to this moment? You aren’t alone!
Let’s explore research-based practices and methods we can implement to…
Supporting Local Community Development Through Affordable Energy
This session will discuss the role philanthropies can take in funding local solar energy projects and the benefits these projects can bring to communities. Hear from philanthropies, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and a developer--highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration…
Caring for Ourselves and Others in Complex Times
Place-based funders remain committed to serving their communities, including through periods of political and cultural turmoil. For staff to perform at their best, they must also care for themselves. How can executive leaders make sure that happens while practicing their own self-care and…
Supporting Local Priorities with a Global Portfolio
Companies can lead locally in their headquarters' market, while at the same time investing in communities where their global employees live and work. 3M achieves this through a strategic partnership with GlobalGiving, leveraging its expertise in international philanthropy to support locally-led…
Career Pathways Alumni Homecoming
Hosted by Career Pathways
Over the past 10 years, the Career Pathways (CP) alumni network has grown to over 200. We are excited to announce our first in-person homecoming, gathering participants from across all cohorts! This pre-conference is an opportunity to explore future philanthropic…
Building Trust with Policymakers Using the Science of Storytelling
You’re already doing the work of helping your communities thrive. Now let’s make sure you can talk about it in a way that builds buy-in and trust with a key audience: policymakers. This workshop will help you use stories and data to communicate the value of philanthropy and charitable giving. It…
Building Trust in Community Through National-Local Collaboration
Across the nation, communities are facing a crisis of connection, with a 2023 survey revealing that 74% of Americans feel a sense of non-belonging in their local communities. In 2022-23, the Walmart Foundation funded the Belonging Innovation Lab, a program providing subgrants, training, and…
Sustained Collaboration Funders Convening
Hosted by Sustained Collaboration Network (SCN)
Funders have been coming together in communities across the country to collectively fund nonprofit collaboration in order to help nonprofits meet increased demand for services, achieve economies of scale, or navigate high-stakes executive…
Building the Durability of Detroit’s Youth-Serving Institutions
Something new is happening in Detroit. The local donor community recently launched the Michigan Central Station Children’s Endowment Initiative (MCSCEI) to ensure that the most critical youth-serving institutions are set up to support the community for the long haul. Ten nonprofit agencies will…
Building Strong Communities Across Divides
Community and place-based foundations are building common ground in the communities they serve. The intended audience for this session is leaders of community and place-based foundations who are curious about what they can do to help bridge divides constructively. Participants will leave…
Building Grassroots Impact and Sustainability by Reimagining Fiscal Sponsorship
In 2018 and 2025, the two largest fiscal sponsors in Baltimore shut their doors disproportionately impacting Black-led organizations. Why did this happen? Was it financial mis-management or a lack of financial support? This session explores how philanthropic organizations can prevent this harm and…
The Role of Community Philanthropy in Advancing Immigrant Inclusion
Local foundations play a critical role in fostering welcoming environments for immigrants. This session explores how philanthropy can support immigrant inclusion through investments, partnerships, and programming. Leaders from the Walder Foundation and Welcoming America will share examples, lessons…
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…