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.
Global Philanthropy Update - December 2021
Today is the second day of the 2021 Summit for Democracy, and the issues at hand are too urgent to ignore. While the world faces pressing humanitarian crises like climate change, COVID-19, and racial injustice that threaten global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, the Summit…
Washington Snapshot: Details of a New Plan from the White House to Combat Human Trafficking
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
Congress Addresses End-of-Year Priorities
IRS Releases Notice on ERTC Termination
White House Announces Plan to Combat Human Trafficking
Happening in the States
News from the Council
This will be the last issue of…
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Lori O'Keefe
Lori O'Keefe, Triangle Community Foundation
Question: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
Answer: My entire career has been in the nonprofit sector; I came to the Foundation nearly 17 years ago because I could see the power of connecting those with resources to the nonprofits doing the…
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Mari Kuraishi
Mari Kuraishi, Jessie Ball duPont Foundation
Q: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
A: After decades of working on the edges of philanthropy by making loans to sovereign governments and building up a crowdfunding platform, I had become intrigued by the idea that philanthropy extended…
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Anne Vela-Wagner
Anne Vela-Wagner, Mars Wrigley Foundation
Q: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
A: The constant challenge to improve the state of our world and the lives of others is humbling, inspiring, complex and an ongoing education. It suits me well because I’m not happy if I’m not learning and…
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Jen Rainin
Jen Rainin, Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Question: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
Answer: My father was an incredibly powerful force in my life. He was curious and creative. He was a great listener, which allowed him to build a medical device company that responded to the needs of…
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Lindy Eichenbaum Lent
Lindy Eichenbaum Lent, President and CEO of the Rose Community Foundation
Question: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
Answer: An insatiable urge to leave this world slightly better than I found it…and a series of career pivots that were unknowingly preparing me for philanthropy. Driven…
Washington Snapshot: New U.S. Census Bureau Data on the Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
The President's Democracy Summit: December 9-10
Congress Set to Keep Government Open Until February
Yellen and Powell Testify on Economic Recovery
U.S. Census Bureau Data on the Effects of COVID-19 on American…
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Teresa Miller
Teresa Miller, President and CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation
Question: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
Answer: After years of working for state and federal governments, philanthropy was appealing because of the opportunity to take a long-term view of addressing problems. While…
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Karem Perez
Karem Perez, Motorola Solutions Foundation
Question: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
Answer: I’ve always sought roles where I knew the work I was doing was making a difference, so it was a perfect fit to lead the Motorola Solutions Foundation. The opportunity to partner with so many…
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Nick Aldridge
Nick Aldridge, CEO of the PayPal Giving Fund
Question: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
Answer: The people involved - I was lucky enough to start my career in a UK organization supporting nonprofits and enjoyed meeting leaders working to tackle important and often intractable social…
Member Week 2021: Foundation Leader Q&A with Eva Giglio
Eva Giglio, CME Group Foundation
Question: What drew you to the field of philanthropy?
Answer: Having worked for years in Chicago Public Schools for years prior to this role, I worked closely with philanthropists who helped support many key initiatives for the district. I was excited about the…
General Service Foundation and Tara McKenzie Sandercock Honored as 2021 Council on Foundations Awards Winners
The Council on Foundations (“the Council”) today recognized outstanding leadership in the philanthropic sector through its awards program. Tara McKenzie Sandercock, Senior Vice President of Grants and Community Partnerships at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, is this year’s winner of…
Washington Snapshot: Passage of the Build Back Better Act in the House and new PPP guidance from the IRS
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
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House Democrats Pass Build Back Better Act
IRS Issues Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program
New Funds for Community-Based Efforts to Address Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination
White House Tribal Nations Actions…
Washington Snapshot: House to Vote on Infrastructure and Reconciliation Packages
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House to Vote on Infrastructure and Reconciliation Packages
Federal Healthcare Open Enrollment Extended
Remembering the Sacrifices of the Nation's Veterans
Happening in the States
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A Big Thank…
Washington Snapshot: Democrats Announce Build Back Better Framework
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
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Democrats Announce Build Back Better Framework
IRS Sets Standards on LLCs Seeking Exempt Status
Federal Reserve Board Webcast Conference on Topics of Diversity and Inclusion
Child Tax Credit Sign-Up Deadline…