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.
Getting started with Grantmaking in Germany
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in Germany, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
U.S. foundations with local offices
Local community foundations
You may…
Getting Started with Grantmaking in the Philippines
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in the Philippines, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
U.S. foundations with local offices
Local community…
Getting Started with Grantmaking in South Africa
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in South Africa, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
U.S. foundations with local offices
National NGO networks
Local…
Brief Overview of Civil Society Organizations in Mexico
This article from NGOSource explains authorization laws and regulations for civil society organizations in Mexico.
Getting Started with Grantmaking in Uganda
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in Uganda, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
U.S. foundations with local offices
National listing of certified NGOs
Local…
A Portrait of Canadian Foundation Philanthropy
A report from Philanthropic Foundations Canada on trends, resources, and strategies in community philanthropy in Canada.
The Global Landscape of Philanthropy
This report from Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support (WINGS) presents an analysis of the current trends in global philanthropy.
Getting Started Grantmaking in India
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in India, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
U.S. foundations with local offices
National regulations to note
Local…
Kenya: Data Strategy and Capacity Building
This report from Foundation Center highlights the key findings and outcomes from a workshop on data strategy and capacity building in Kenya.
Corporate Philanthropy in Kenya: A Report on Nature, Trends, and Engagements by Corporates in Philanthropy
A summary of key findings from the Yetu Initiative on corporate philanthropy in Kenya.
Bringing Foundations and Governments Closer: Evidence from Kenya
This study from The Development Center of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) provides an overview of the current state of collaboration between foundations and the government in Kenya, and offers recommendations for enhancement.
Getting Started with Grantmaking in France
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in France, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
Council members in France
Local community foundations
You…
Philanthropy in India
This report from Alliance magazine, WINGS, the Centre for Social Impact Philanthropy, and Ashoka University presents the culture and trends of philanthropy in India and the role of foundations in managing charitable giving.
India Philanthropy Report 2018: Understanding Tomorrow's Strategic Givers
This report from Dasra explores strategic giving in India by examining how philanthropists can increase the impact of their giving.
Strengthening Philanthropic Giving and Impact Investing in India
This study from Intellecap and the MacArthur Foundation examines the emerging areas of philanthropic giving and impact investing in India as instruments of the country's development.
The Role of Foundations in Public Debates in Germany
This article explores the history of foundations in Germany and assesses their public role, both as contributors of arguments and policy papers, and as objects of public debate.