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.
5 Things You Should Know About the Philanthropy Exchange
When we face a new challenge, one of our first instincts is to reach out to someone for advice. By collaborating, sharing resources, and discussing common challenges, you and your peers multiply your impact and advance the common good.
Now the Council on Foundations is offering you a new way to…
Mission investing and lessons learned
Many community foundations are recognizing that impact investing can be a powerful tool in our philanthropic toolbox. Mission investments are investments made by foundations to further their philanthropic goals. Since 2009, the Seattle Foundation has committed $4 million of its unrestricted…
2014 Grantmakers Salary and Benefits Survey
The Council on Foundations' 2014 Grantmakers Salary and Benefits Survey is now closed. The 2014 Salary Tables will be published this fall and the full report will be released in early 2015.
The survey collects information on benefits policies and practices, as well as compensation data for 35…
5 Things Your Foundation Should Know About the Future of Impact Investing
At the White House last week, foundation executives, including the Council’s President and CEO Vikki Spruill, met with senior Administration officials for a roundtable on the future of impact investing. A complement to charitable giving and foundation grantmaking, impact investing offers a powerful…
Washington Snapshot - June 27, 2014
We want to remind our readers that we will not be publishing Snapshot next week, in light of the Fourth of July holiday. We wish you all a happy Fourth!
News from the Hill
Republican Lawmakers Slam IRS Over Lost E-mails
We told you last week about the fury on Capitol Hill over thousands of e-mails…
Lending a Hand: Southwest Initiative Foundation taps unique micro-financing program to help local entrepreneurs and businesses
Lessons Learned
The Southwest Initiative Foundation got interested in becoming a Kiva loan administrator after a staff member learned about the program at a conference. Now two years into the program, Greg Jodzio, Microenterprise specialist at SWIF, offered up some insight into how to get the…
Why we depend on our peers to do our jobs better
When Jessica David was wondering how to support her new hire, who was tasked with telling her foundation’s story online, she turned to her peers for advice.
Jessica, the Vice President of Strategy and Community Investments of the Rhode Island Foundation, posted a question to the Council’s new…
Getting more out of your ideas with authentic partnerships
With partnerships being very important in making the most of innovative ideas, how does one develop an authentic partnership? In a recent situation, I developed a partnership with several individuals to implement an idea at a large conference. Here are the lessons I learned:
I. Make sure that the…
Washington Snapshot - June 20, 2014
News from the Hill
Senate Tax Reform Hearings
As we told you last week, Senate Finance Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-UT) have announced three hearings on tax reform that will take place this summer. Chairman Wyden also stated this week that he hopes that comprehensive…
In the 60s They Changed the World; In Their 60s they Did It Again.
How can we engage older residents while tapping their expertise? In 2006, The New York Community Trust responded to an invitation from Atlantic Philanthropies offering challenge to get people over 60 involved as they improve life for everyone in their communities. Atlantic’s effort, called the…
Using data and evaluation to support, not punish grantees
At the Council on Foundations Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., some funders were expressing a move toward a new way of doing business with their grantees. Accountability has long been a theme in grantmaking. It has traditionally been top-down – foundations being held accountable to the people…
Washington Snapshot - June 13, 2014
We loved seeing so many of our readers and Council members at our 2014 Annual Conference: Philanthropy Exchange this week! We hope you enjoyed your time in D.C., connected with colleagues old and new, and learned as much as we did.
Community Foundation Survey
Last week, your community foundation…
CFGRB builds the next generation of philanthropists
This post is part of the #CF100 Series of blog posts. The Council on Foundations is marking the 100th anniversary of the nation’s first community foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, by highlighting the roles of community foundations with this series.
Think back to high school. Senior year,…
Doing Right By Veterans On Memorial Day And Beyond
The following piece originally appeared on Forbes.com. It is written by Brad Phillips of the Institute for Evidence Based Change, a Lumina Foundation grantee.
The largest influx of veterans since the end of World War II will return to the workforce and college in the next several years. The surge…
A Minnesota Yankee in King Arthur’s Court? Questions on Regional Cultures and Philanthropy
During the 2014 Annual Conference - Philanthropy Exchange - we will be posting blogs written by speakers and attendees. If you are interested in blogging with the Council, contact john.cochrane@cof.org.
Can you be part of Yankeedom if you live in Minnesota? Have you ever been to “New France?” Are…
Vikki Spruill Remarks on the State of American Philanthropy
Thank you, Good afternoon. I think we all have a thing or two to learn from amazing students like these.
I’m grateful to Gwen and the News Literacy Project for an enlightening discussion and for joining us here today. And, thanks to all of you for joining us at the 2014 Annual Conference…