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.
Public Policy Action Network - February Update Meeting
What is the Council’s Public Policy Action Network?
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive.…
Washington Snapshot: Council Launches Recommendations to Strengthen Community Philanthropy
What's Happening This Week...
Council Launches Recommendations to Strengthen Community Philanthropy
ACE Act Introduced in the House
Child Tax Credit Day of Action - February 8
IRS Issues Notices on Nonprofit Retirement Plans…
Council on Foundations' Statement on ACE Act House Introduction
WASHINGTON, DC - On Feb. 3, 2022, Representatives Pingree (ME-1), Reed (NY-23), Khanna (CA-17) and Porter (CA-45) introduced the Accelerating Charitable Efforts Act, the House companion bill to S.1981. The following statement is attributable to Council on Foundations president and CEO Kathleen…
Strengthening Community Philanthropy: Recommendations from Your Sector Colleagues
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Last July, the Council on Foundations convened a group of community foundation leaders to develop a set of principles and policy recommendations to strengthen how community foundations use donor-advised funds (DAFs). The Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc…
A Private Foundation View on Recommendations from Our Sector Colleagues
Like many leaders of private foundations, I have strong beliefs about the importance of growing philanthropy in ways that build trust and advance equity in the field.
That is why I am so appreciative of the work that the Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc Working Group (the Working Group)…
PhilEx Live: Non-profit Resilience
Developed out of a trending conversation on the Philanthropy Exchange (PhilEx), the Council invites you to join a member-only peer-led discussion around how foundations are approaching non-profit resiliency in 2022.
Join peers from across the country in a discussion focused on:
Peer Discussion…
Washington Snapshot: Associate Justice Stephen Breyer Announces Retirement
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
White House Fact Sheet Summarizes New Federal Funds for Local Communities
National Solar Credit Ready Initiative and Philanthropic Partnership
Department of Commerce Seeks Community of Practice Leader
Democrats…
Council on Foundations Welcomes Three Strategic Leaders to 2022 Board of Directors
WASHINGTON, DC - The Council on Foundations (the Council) today announced that its membership has approved the appointment of three philanthropic executives to its board of directors: Srikanth Gopal, Managing Partner of Humanity United; Galen Maness, Chief Operating Officer of the San…
Career Pathways 2022 Cohort Selected to Represent the Future of Philanthropic Leadership
WASHINGTON, DC - The Council on Foundations today announced the selection of 51 philanthropy professionals for participation in Career Pathways, a leadership development program designed to diversify the talent pipeline for executive-level roles in Philanthropy. In this highly selective…
Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc Working Group Final Recommendations
The Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc Working Group, convened by the Council on Foundations, released the following recommendations on donor-advised funds (DAFs), outlining steps to improve their effective and transparent use.
Standardizing Community Foundation Inactive Funds Policy…
Strengthening Community Philanthropy Ad Hoc Working Group Releases Donor-Advised Funds Recommendations
Community foundations have a long history of working locally to bring together leaders, nonprofits, donors, and others to address persistent problems and identify paths forward. The ongoing pandemic has underscored how local philanthropy, in particular, can address community needs in times of acute…
Ask the Council: Strengthening Community Philanthropy Working Group DAF Recommendations
Last July, the Council on Foundations convened a group of community foundation leaders to develop a set of principles and policy recommendations to strengthen community foundations and donor-advised funds (DAFs) long into the future. Released on February 2, 2022, these recommendations…
Washington Snapshot: New op-ed on donor-advised funds from the Council's President and CEO.
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
Midterms and Retirements Shake Up Tax-Writing Committees
Senate Votes to Keep Voting Rights Filibuster
Opportunity Zones Come Under Scrutiny
Joint Committee on Taxation Lists Expiring Federal Tax Provisions…
2021 Year in Review
Dear Friend:
2021 was an historic year in many ways, for philanthropy and for the people and communities we care about.
It was a year of loss and heartache as families and communities continued to suffer the effects of the pandemic and many other hardships. It was a year of advocacy to advance…
Washington Snapshot: IRS Update for Tax-Exempt Organizations
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
Congressional Democrats Negotiate Election Reform
Office of Management and Budget Solicits Feedback on Learning Agenda
IRS Releases Updates for Tax-Exempt Organizations
Department of Commerce Seeking Comments on New Rural Business Center…
Philanthropy's Response to 2021 Tornadoes
OVERVIEW
More than 50 tornadoes struck multiple states on December 11 and 12, causing devastation and significant loss of life. The states impacted include, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky -- with the most significant loss of life occuring in…