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.

Sample Grant Agreement – No Expenditure Responsibility

Sample Document
This document is an editable grant agreement for grants not requiring expenditure responsibility. This sample document is being provided for informational purposes only and is not to be shared without the permission of the Council on Foundations. Use of the sample document does not create an…

Stories of Succession: Involvement is Mandatory

Stephanie Danforth Chafee’s ancestors trace their roots in Rhode Island back to the Mayflower. Her philanthropic heritage in the area is almost as deep and conservative. Her mother was a leading supporter of the Parent Teachers Association, the Zoological Society and the Roger Williams Zoo. Her…

Sample Foundation Investment Policy

Sample Document
This document is an editable foundation investment policy template. This sample document is being provided for informational purposes only and is not to be shared without the permission of the Council on Foundations. Use of the sample document does not create an attorney-client relationship, and…

Stewardship Principles for Independent Foundations

Legal Compliance Guidance
The Stewardship Principles for Independent Foundations are a set of governance best practices that embody how independent foundations can reflect fundamental values such as honesty, integrity, fairness, and trust in their board governance, management, and grantmaking.

Hiring An Archival Consultant

Legal Compliance Guidance
The services of a consultant may prove beneficial to an organization considering the creation of a records management or archival program. From a consultation, those who oversee the records and archives project should derive a general sense of the existing historical record of the organization —…

Sample Grant File Index

Sample Document
This sample grant file index allows you to see the types of information which your foundation may need to keep on each of your grantees.

Sample Expenditure Report

Sample Document
This customizable sample report allows you to track expenditures by grantees.

Sample Docket Write-up of Program Goals and Strategies

Sample Document
This sample docket write-up allows you to customize your program goal and strategies.

Sample Docket Format

Sample Completed Docket Write-up

A Colleague's Perspective on Trustee Orientation

External Resource
By Anne H. Morgan Becoming a trustee of a family foundation can be a complex, confusing, and confounding experience. Suddenly you are thrust into a room full of persons whom you thought you knew, but now they are all in different roles. Your favorite aunt, who has always seemed so demure and self…

A Colleague's Perspective on Mission and Vision Statements

Fundamentals
This perspective offered by William Graustein of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund in 2013 provides useful context on creating your own foundation's mission and vision statements.  When you get down to it, the reason a charitable foundation exists is to change the world or, at least…

Closing Documents Checklist

Sample Document
As you prepare to close out grants, this customizable checklist can help ensure that you've received the appropriate documents from grantees.

Sample Grant Closing Letter

Sample Document
You can send this customizable sample closing letter to grantees upon the conclusion of their grant.

Sample Grant Close-Out Form

Sample Document
This sample grant close-out form can help you wrap up outstanding grants.

Board Member Orientation Materials

Sample Document
This resource outlines the onboarding process for a new board member.
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