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.
Estimated Increases in Taxes on Net Investment Income for US-Based 501(c)(3) Private Foundations
External Resource
Increasing taxes on private foundations means fewer dollars to charitable organizations, from food pantries to disaster relief groups. The below data from Candid shows that in almost every state, private foundations will have to pay millions more in taxes, crippling their ability to respond to the…
Member Policy Briefing: Private Foundation CEOs - November 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: Private Foundation CEOs - October 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: Private Foundation CEOs - September 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…
Briefing on the Tax Bill: Post Ways & Means Mark-up
Please note that the content of this webinar was recorded on May 15, 2025, and is subject to change. Please see the Latest Updates & Resources Page for the most current information.
The House Committee on Ways and Means formally announced last week that it will mark up its tax…
The Council Opposes Tax Increase That Would Hurt Local Nonprofits and Communities
Congress should protect philanthropy’s ability to support causes from food pantries to disaster relief.
Today, House Republicans released the updated text of a tax package, which includes a proposed increase in the excise tax on net investment income for private foundations. In addition to a…
Summary of Ways and Means Chairman's Mark
Legal Compliance Guidance
On May 9, the House Ways and Means Committee released initial legislative text of the tax bill to be marked up this week. The Committee is expected to release a revised and more substantive bill Monday afternoon, so the provisions below could be modified and are subject to change.
Individual…
One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy
With many of the provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) (P.L. 115-97) expiring at the end of 2025, the 119th Congress is crafting tax legislation through the reconciliation process that will extend the TCJA and included the Republican majorities’ priorities. Read more about the budget…
The Charitable Sector Urgently Needs Your Voice
The charitable sector urgently needs your voice. On Tuesday, May 13, Congress will begin considering a tax package that will likely include a substantial increase to the excise tax on net investment income for private foundations. For the largest private foundations, it may expand to as much as 10…
Tell Your Members of Congress to Protect Philanthropy
Find your member of Congress and their contact information
We're asking you to reach out to your Member of Congress to voice concerns with provisions in the tax bill that could impact philanthropy. You may only have a couple of minutes to make your point as staff will be receiving similar requests…
Self-Defense Communications Regarding the Section 4940 Excise Tax on Net Investment Income
Legal Compliance Guidance
Self-Defense Exception: A legislative proposal to modify the private foundation excise tax on net investment income under IRC section 4940 would qualify as a self-defense issue, because it affects a private foundation’s duties. Private foundations may therefore communicate with the legislature, its…
Washington Policy Brief
With shifts and pivots coming almost daily, we’ve been keeping an eye on the news out of Washington and its impact on the charitable sector. This policy briefing will provide a space for the Council staff to brief attendees on the latest policy changes and to identify ways for funders to take…
From Community to Movement: How collective action for social change starts and grows
Social movements are responsible for most of the positive changes in our politics, economics, and culture. But the process of building one – with real people struggling with real problems – can be mysterious. In this session, participants will learn how to recognize a movement and how its elements…
Puppy Room
Need we say more? Start your morning off right by visiting our puppy room and hugging a lovable, adoptable pup. We are partnering with Spot's Last Stop Canine Rescue to bring the joy of puppies to Leading Locally 2025.
Sponsored by Prebys Foundation
Puppy Room
Need we say more? Start your morning off right by visiting our puppy room and hugging a lovable, adoptable pup. We are partnering with Spot's Last Stop Canine Rescue to bring the joy of puppies to Leading Locally 2025.
Sponsored by Prebys Foundation
Washington Snapshot: More budget reconciliation updates
In this edition of Washington Snapshot we share additional budget reconciliation updates as several House Committees began markup. Plus, House oversight agenda, "skinny" budget, Executive Order roundup, pending state legislation, and more.