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.
Building Together 2026
Building Together 2026 is the place to be for people working in philanthropy who are eager to connect and collaborate across differences. This isn’t your typical conference — it’s a dynamic experience to help leaders at all levels build the relationships and skills you need for the world we’re in…
Member Policy Briefing: Large Private Foundation CEOs - June 2025
The Council is hosting a series of monthly Member Policy Briefings as a forum for philanthropic leaders to navigate the shifting landscape. This briefing is exclusively for leaders from family, independent, and private operating foundations, including Presidents, CEOs, and Executive Directors to…
Member Policy Briefing: Large Private Foundation CEOs - May 2025
The Council is hosting a series of monthly Member Policy Briefings as a forum for philanthropic leaders to navigate the shifting landscape. This briefing is exclusively for leaders from family, independent, and private operating foundations, including Presidents, CEOs, and Executive Directors to…
Member Policy Briefing: Large Private Foundation CEOs - April 2025
The Council is hosting a series of monthly Member Policy Briefings as a forum for philanthropic leaders to navigate the shifting landscape. This briefing is exclusively for leaders from family, independent, and private operating foundations, including Presidents, CEOs, and Executive Directors to…
Member Policy Briefing: Large Private Foundation CEOs - March 2025
The Council is hosting a series of monthly Member Policy Briefings as a forum for philanthropic leaders to navigate the shifting landscape. This briefing is exclusively for leaders from family, independent, and private operating foundations, including Presidents, CEOs, and Executive Directors to…
Member Policy Briefing: Large Private Foundation CEOs - February 2025
The Council is hosting a series of monthly Member Policy Briefings as a forum for philanthropic leaders to navigate the shifting landscape. This briefing is exclusively for leaders from family, independent, and private operating foundations, including Presidents, CEOs, and Executive Directors to…
Steadfast in our Commitment
In this time of extraordinary disruption for our nation, the stakes have never been higher for those of us working to advance the greater good. The suspension of federal grants and foreign aid, along with the dozens of executive orders curtailing the independence of nonprofits and corporations,…
Leading Across Differences - November Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
Leading Across Differences - September Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
Leading Across Differences - July Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
Leading Across Differences - May Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
Leading Across Differences - March Peer Learning Circle
This peer learning circle is designed to facilitate connections, build relationships, and foster candid discussion about the rewards and challenges of working to connect and collaborate across differences. Meeting every other month, the peer learning circle provides a supportive environment…
In this edition of Washington Snapshot, HUD award applications are now open and we are currently tracking the Trump administration's first executive actions.
Amplifying Our Sector's Voice
At Foundations on the Hill, we bring together PSOs, foundations, sector leaders, and advocates to strengthen our collective impact on federal policy. This signature event provides an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with legislators and policymakers while…
Publication
Coming Together, Not Apart: Inside the Work of Turning Conflict Into Collaboration is the second of three Council on Foundations publications exploring philanthropy's involvement in developing the heartset, mindset, and skillset to lead collaboratively across differences. It dives deep into how…
Listening to Learn: Your Feedback is Shaping the Future of the Council
Over the last five years, the Council on Foundations has been on a journey to become a learning organization—one that experiments with innovation, seeks fresh input, and keeps its eyes focused on the horizon. A key part of this commitment is listening to feedback from the 900+ organizations that…