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.
Washington Snapshot - July 11, 2013
Up on Capitol Hill . . .
Tax Reform
Should a newly reformed tax code raise more revenue than the old tax code?
Discussion this week has centered on whether tax reform will be revenue raising (the position reflected by Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus) or revenue neutral (reflected by…
Washington Snapshot - June 27, 2013
BREAKING NEWS: Baucus and Hatch Call for "Blank Slate" in Tax Reform
This morning, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) held a closed door meeting with the committee to ask for their support in tax reform.
A Dear Colleague letter from Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Orrin Hatch…
Washington Snapshot - June 20, 2013
June 20, 2013
Welcome to the Council’s Weekly Washington Snapshot
The Council on Foundations Public Policy and Legal Affairs team is pleased to launch a new weekly Washington Snapshot. Every Thursday afternoon, this newsletter will give you a quick glimpse at some of the pressing issues we’re…
Nonprofit Law in Vietnam
Legal Compliance Guidance
Current as of June 2025 | Download print version (PDF)
This section describes the legal framework of nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Vietnam, along with translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor undertaking an…
Nonprofit Law in Venezuela
Current as of November 2023 | Download print version (in PDF)
This report describes the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Venezuela, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…
Nonprofit Law in Uganda
Current as of March 2025 | Download print version (in PDF)
This section describes the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Uganda, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or…
Nonprofit Law in South Africa
Current as of May 2024 | Download print version (in PDF)
This section describes the legal framework governing of nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in South Africa, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…
Nonprofit Law in Slovenia
Current as of December 2018 | Download print version (in PDF)
This section describes the legal framework of nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Slovenia, along with translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor undertaking…
Nonprofit Law in Slovakia
Current as of December 2020 | Download print version (in PDF)
This report describes the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Slovakia and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…
Nonprofit Law in Serbia
Current as of December 2020 | Download print version (in PDF)
This section describes the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Serbia, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…
Nonprofit Law in Russia
Current as of September 2024 | Download print version (in PDF)
This report describes the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Russia, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…
Nonprofit Law in Romania
Current as of December 2021 | Download print version (in PDF)
This section describes the legal framework of nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Romania, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…
Nonprofit Law in Poland
Current as of December 2024 | Download print version (in PDF)
This report describes the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Poland, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…
Nonprofit Law in The Philippines
Current as of June 2025 | Download print version (in PDF)
This report describes the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in the Philippines, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…
Nonprofit Law in Peru
Current as of January 2022 | Download print version (in PDF)
This report describes the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Peru, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…
Nonprofit Law in Nigeria
Current as of May 2024 | Download print version (in PDF)
This section describes the legal framework governing nonprofit organizations (also known as non-governmental organizations or NGOs) in Nigeria, and includes translations of legislative provisions relevant for a foundation or advisor…