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 2025 Meeting
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only 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. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
Global Grantmaking Essentials - April 2025
Led by Council on Foundations staff with collectively decades of experience with global philanthropy, the Global Grantmaking Essentials will also feature guest speakers with deep knowledge on specific issues or countries.
Course Hours
Tuesday, April 22: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
Thursday, April 24:…
Discussion Guide: Connecting Philanthropic Values and DEI Principles
Toolkit
Use this document to help initiate conversations about how your foundation's mission and values connect to integrating DEI policies and practices.
Summary and Analysis of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on Impact on Philanthropy
As many of the provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) (P.L 115-97) expire at the end of 2025, the 119th Congress will work to extend, rewrite, or overhaul the tax code once again. This page analyzes key provisions from the TCJA, how they have impacted the philanthropic sector and charitable…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - November Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or…
2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report: Board Compensation Tables
Publication, Research
The 2024 Board Compensation Tables provide foundation board and staff with the tools they need to benchmark their board compensation policies and practices against peers in the field. This report contains data collected through the Council’s 2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey and presented…
2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report
Publication, Research
The 2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date data available on U.S. philanthropic sector salaries, benefits, and demographic details, with information presented by grantmaker type, foundation type, asset size, and geographic location. The 2024…
2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report Shows Turnover Down, Salary Increases Up in Wake of Pandemic, Historic Inflation
WASHINGTON - The Council on Foundations today announced the release of the 2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report (GSB), an annual analysis of key human resources trends that includes the most comprehensive data on the composition and compensation of U.S. foundations.
Among other key findings…
2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report: Key Findings
Research
The 2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Key Findings is an illustrated, three-page document highlighting important trends shaping the philanthropic sector. Also available as a free PDF, the 2024 GSB Key Findings is just a small fraction of the expansive dataset available in the 2024 GSB…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Our Enduring Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Philanthropy has a profound responsibility to champion the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). At the Council on Foundations, our commitment to DEI is integral to our mission. We provide foundations with essential tools and…
Coming Together, Not Apart
Publication
Coming Together, Not Apart: How Philanthropy Supports Connection in a Time of Dangerous Division is the first 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…
Fearless Foundation Update: What does it mean for foundations and charitable organizations?
The Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation announced a settlement with the American Alliance for Equal Rights and will end its grant program for Black female entrepreneurs, which AAER claimed was racially discriminatory in its suit, filed last August. The most recent ruling before the…
As Fearless Foundation Settles Case, Council on Foundations, Independent Sector Encourage Funders to Continue Giving in Line With Values
WASHINGTON – The Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation announced a settlement yesterday with the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) and will end its Fearless Strivers Grant Contest that was targeted in a racial discrimination lawsuit by AAER. The settlement does not restrict any charitable…
2023 Council on Foundations - Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations (CCSF)
Publication, Research
The CCSF Study is the field’s most comprehensive and authoritative study on investment and governance policies and practices. The 2023 CCSF studies 291 private and community foundations that represent $126 billion in assets. Topics covered include:
Returns and Investment Objectives
Asset…
AAER v. Fearless Foundation Settlement Update
On September 11, the parties in American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) v. Fearless Foundation announced a settlement, resulting in the case’s dismissal in the federal district court where it had been pending for more than a year. At issue was the legality of the Fearless Strivers grant program,…
Foundations’ Endowed Portfolios Produced Higher 2023 Returns, Rebounding from 2022 Lows, Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study Finds
WASHINGTON - In the improved market environment of 2023, average annual returns on endowed funds bounced back from the previous year for the 291 foundations surveyed in the annual Council on Foundations–Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations® (…