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.
Indicates Members-Only Content
Strategy in the Age of Chaos: Strategic Foresight for Philanthropic Leaders
Times of rapid change demand leaders skilled in both improvisation and imagination. Both of these skills require practice. This session introduces the foundations of strategic foresight and equips participants with practical techniques to expand possibility, challenge assumptions, and explore…
Washington Snapshot: Register for Our Upcoming Webinar on the Basics of Civic Engagement
Philanthropic organizations face heightened attention and expectations. To support Council members, our Legal Resources team is hosting a webinar on what philanthropic organizations need to know to engage confidently and responsibly in civic engagement work. Plus, FOTH26, Council testimony for the…
Why Psychological Safety Matters for Trust, Collaboration, and Shared Power
Discover how creating a sense of psychological safety is an essential foundation to building trust, sharing power more fairly, and including everyone’s voice. Learn how care and accountability strengthen meaningful partnerships, practice healthier ways of working together in mission‑driven settings…
HR Philanthropy Collaborative - December 2026
This is a peer-led space designed to connect you with human resources leaders at foundations across the country. The group will build meaningful relationships, share resources, and provide a consistent opportunity to engage in collaborative troubleshooting in a trusted environment. Meeting…
HR Philanthropy Collaborative - October 2026
This is a peer-led space designed to connect you with human resources leaders at foundations across the country. The group will build meaningful relationships, share resources, and provide a consistent opportunity to engage in collaborative troubleshooting in a trusted environment. Meeting…
HR Philanthropy Collaborative - June 2026
This is a peer-led space designed to connect you with human resources leaders at foundations across the country. The group will build meaningful relationships, share resources, and provide a consistent opportunity to engage in collaborative troubleshooting in a trusted environment. Meeting every…
HR Philanthropy Collaborative - April 2026
This is a peer-led space designed to connect you with human resources leaders at foundations across the country. The group will build meaningful relationships, share resources, and provide a consistent opportunity to engage in collaborative troubleshooting in a trusted environment. Meeting every…
2026 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey (GSB)
Since 1980, the Council's Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Survey has provided the sector with the most comprehensive data on staff composition and compensation in the United States. Grantmakers rely on this annual report to plan budgets, benchmark personnel policies and practices, determine…
Building Together 2026 - Plenary Sessions
Plenary SessionsThe Building Together plenaries will take attendees on a three-part journey into building the heartset, mindset, and skillset needed to constructively engage across differences, find common ground, and solve shared problems. These sessions are designed to ground participants in the…
Research
The Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Board Compensation Tables provide foundation boards and staff with the tools they need to benchmark their board compensation policies and practices against peers in the field. Released every two years and containing data collected through the Council’s…
Washington Snapshot: Secure your spot at Foundations on the Hill 2026
The landscape for philanthropy shifted in 2025. How is your organization preparing for what comes next in 2026 and beyond? Join us for Foundations on the Hill on March 16-19 to build the long-term advocacy skills needed to engage policymakers confidently and shape the environment in which…
Court Cases That Have Been Decided or Dismissed
Legal Compliance Guidance
The Council is committed to helping our members stay informed about litigation that may have an impact on the philanthropic sector. This page lists cases that we tracked through their conclusion, whether they were decided in court or by settlement. Please see our list of ongoing cases we are…
Bridging Without Breaking: Leadership in Polarizing Times (CEO Only)
Calls to bridge divides often collide with real tensions inside foundations – across boards, donors, DAF holders, staff, and grantees who hold differing political and ideological views. This CEO-only session features foundation CEOs grappling with those realities in real time, sharing how they set…
2025 Year in Review
No amount of planning could have fully anticipated the challenges we faced in 2025. But by working together, we saw the power of the Council’s members in action.Our sector's strength is borne of our collective resolve. Council members represent and serve the full spectrum of society, from who they…
Strengthening Communities Through Language
Language shapes how communities experience trust, belonging, and collaboration—often in ways we don’t intend. This session is designed for funders interested in strengthening trust, reducing risk, and supporting community problem-solving through more intentional language choices.We’ll explore how…
Foundation Executives Network - November 2026
Join us for the Foundation Executives Network gathering to connect you with your peer foundation leaders across the country to build meaningful relationships and provide a consistent opportunity for you to engage in collaborative troubleshooting in a trusted environment.This Network is a…