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.
Join the Council’s Legal Resources team for an in-depth look at the self-dealing rules applicable to private foundations under section 4941 of the Internal Revenue Code. This workshop will provide an in-depth review of the rules against self-dealing, where they come from and what they involve.…
This workshop will provide an in-depth review of the rules against self-dealing, where they come from and what they involve. Participants will hear an analysis of the relevant rules and regulations governing transactions between private foundations and disqualified persons, including situations…
Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers – September 2026
Led by Council on Foundations staff and philanthropic leaders, this training will address policy advocacy strategies that support racial equity and effective practices. Participants will gain helpful tools and resources while networking with peers who are developing and implementing their…
Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers – April 2026
Participants will leave with actionable tools, a refreshed understanding of compliance, and a blueprint for bringing policy work into your organization. The training will dive into practical strategies that blend direct services with advocacy, learning how to leverage available resources, from…
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, October 20: 1-5 p.m. ET
Thursday,…
Career Pathways is a leadership development cohort program designed to accelerate the careers of diverse professionals in the philanthropic sector. Graduates of the program will deepen their expertise, expand their networks, and hone their leadership skills to advance the field.Career Pathways…
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 7: 1-5 p.m. ET
Thursday, April 9…
Publication, Research
The 2025 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Administrative and Program Expense Tables provide foundations the benchmarking data needed to measure administrative, program, service, and qualifying distribution expenses against peers in the field. Containing data collected through the Council’s GSB…
Washington Snapshot: Federal Government Shutdown
The Senate did not pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) extending government funding beyond September 30, resulting in a government shutdown. The Senate has voted down two separate CRs multiple times this week. Plus, executive action on political violence, IRS priority guidance, state giving…
Foreign Aid Briefing | Navigating the Crossroads: Philanthropic Strategies for Global Human Rights
Join the Council on Foundations, Human Rights Funders Network (HRFN), and Philea for a crucial conversation on the future of funding for global human rights. This event will address the urgent challenges highlighted in HRFN's new report, "Funding at a Crossroads: Foreign Aid Cuts and Implications…
2025 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report
Publication, Research
The 2025 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date data on U.S. philanthropic sector salaries, benefits, and demographic details, with information presented by grantmaker type, foundation type, asset size, and geographic location. The 2025 Grantmaker…
2025 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report: Key Findings
Research
The 2025 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Key Findings is a visual highlight of the trends and changes that are shaping the philanthropic sector.
Also available as a free PDF, the 2025 GSB Key Findings is just a small fraction of the expansive dataset available in the 2025 GSB Report, which…
Potential Implications of Funding Protest Activities
Legal Compliance Guidance
Developed for the Council on Foundations by Christopher J. Armstrong, Partner at Holland & Knight
The Current Environment
Foundations are under increasing political scrutiny regarding their relationships with organizations that have engaged in protests, especially in situations where…
Washington Snapshot: Government Funding
With less than two weeks left before the government funding deadline, Congress is working to pass a continuing resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown. Plus, Congressional oversight of nonprofits and funders, hearing on the tax-exempt sector, PSLF comments, trendspotting nonprofit…
Snapshot of Funder Progress on Locally Led Development (Sept. 2025)
Publication, Research
In September 2023, a group of 15 foundations joined 20 bilateral donors in signing a Donor Statement committing to advancing locally led development. After recent global shifts in foreign assistance and the dismantling of USAID, the Council on Foundations wanted to understand how philanthropy has…
Communicating Across Divides: A Facilitation Intensive
Join Resetting the Table (RTT) and the Council on Foundations for a training that offers a comprehensive framework for facilitating courageous and constructive communication across lines of difference.
Through this intensive training, philanthropic leaders will build advanced facilitation skills…