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.
Tech tools and boisterous public meetings: Building support for community planning in the San Francisco Bay Area
Silicon Valley Community Foundation is in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, close to the campuses of companies like Google, Facebook and Apple. Companies like these have made the region a leader in the global economy and a hub of innovation. The Bay Area is home to a diverse…
Engaging Latino Parents around Early Learning for their Children
The proudest moment of Ruben Garcia’s life was when he watched his first child graduate from Boulder High School last spring.
The father of three and his wife know how much it took for their son to reach the important milestone. They will tell you that their work with him started before…
HUD Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships
Learn more about the winners of the Council on Foundations and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2024 Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.
This award, now in its twelfth year, emphasizes partnerships between the philanthropic and public…
2014 Philanthropy Exchange: Speaker Announcement
Featured Speakers Confirmed to Inspire You!
Jim Clifton, President and CEO, Gallup
Since 1988, Jim Clifton has served as CEO of Gallup, a global leader in consulting, public opinion research, and analytics. Under his leadership, Gallup has expanded from a predominantly U.S.-based…
Council Awards Programs
The Council Awards are presented annually alongside our Member Meeting and include the Distinguished Service Award and the Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking. These two awards have been presented by the Council since the 1980s. The Distinguished Service Award recognizes individual leaders in…
When the process is the product of our endeavors
The Community Foundation of Western Nevada embarked upon a resident engagement initiative in 2013 centering on improving the lives of runaway, homeless and aging-out foster youth, ages 12-24.
Expectations for the estimated 1,300 unsupported young people who experience homelessness in Reno,…
So, what’s your idea? Spurring innovation in your organization
Are you looking for ways to improve innovation at your organization? Sometimes innovative ideas aren’t shared because people don’t know who to take them to. Or, they think that others would judge the idea’s value based on the person contributing it. If you are looking to spur…
Washington Snapshot - April 11, 2014
We are thrilled that spring has finally arrived here in Washington, D.C.! The cherry blossoms are in bloom, and tourist season has begun!
Since next Friday is Good Friday, we will be sending you Snapshot on Thursday afternoon.
Ways and Means Hearing on Tax Extenders
Last week we brought you up to…
Brooklyn’s Boom Brings Change and Crisis to Some
"We need more agency for people in communities, not just people with money. We’re giving so much voice to new people moving in...My grandmother shouldn't have to battle to keep her apartment."
These words were spoken by Donovan, a 16-year-old resident of East New York, last month in a…
Washington Snapshot - April 4, 2014
IRA Charitable Rollover Included in Senate Extenders Bill
The Council’s Public Policy team has been closely tracking a flurry of activity on the Hill this week, as the Senate Finance Committee considered which of the 55 expired “tax extenders” to extend for another two years. The IRA charitable…
Statement on Retirement of Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp
Vikki Spruill, President and CEO, Council on Foundations:
On behalf of the Council on Foundations, I would like to thank Chairman Camp for his decades of public service to the people of Michigan and to the U.S. House of Representatives. We wish him the very best in months and years ahead. We are…
More than just a window to the web - Apps and extensions for your browser
Do you know more about apps for your phone than apps for your browser? Many are unaware that apps and other add-ons are available for their browsers, are often free, and can provide unique tools to make their online experience better. So if you are a busy philanthropic professional, what apps might…
Council on Foundations Board of Directors - Official Notice
Board of Directors Official Notice
The Council on Foundations Governance Committee has nominated the following individuals to serve on the Council’s Board of Directors:
Class of 2017
Ken M. Jones, II*
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Baltimore
Ann M. Cramer…
Washington Snapshot - March 28, 2014
Council Releases Summary of Camp Bill
For the past few weeks, we’ve working to analyze Chairman Camp’s tax reform bill, assess its potential impact on philanthropic and charitable organizations, coordinate with our colleagues in the field, and most importantly determine how to best represent the…
2014 Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Investments for Private Foundations (CCSF)
Participate now in the in the 2014 Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Investments for Private Foundations (CCSF) being conducted by the Council and the Commonfund Institute. This study, now offered for a second year, will enhance the understanding of key trends in the field and of…
Washington Snapshot - March 21, 2014
Council to Senate: Preserve & Expand IRA Rollover
As our members know, the Council has long supported a permanent extension of the IRA charitable rollover, and an expanding the rollover by eliminating the $100,000 cap, allowing donors to make rollovers beginning at age 59 ½, and permitting…