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.
Leading Together 2019 Conference - Inclusive Economic Prosperity
The economy is rapidly changing. The public and private sectors, anchor institutions, and philanthropy play a vital role in strengthening local economies, and if knitted together, can serve as powerful drivers for building inclusive economic opportunities, ensuring further democratizing of…
Leading Together 2019 Conference - Climate Impact & Vulnerabilities
Throughout history, from the Green Revolution to the proliferation of renewable energy at local levels today, foundations have catalyzed action that helps communities adapt to changing ecosystems. Today, major environmental grantmakers are calling for increased investment in climate…
Nusenda Foundation To Receive 2018 Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications
The Council on Foundations today announced that it will present the Nusenda Credit Union Foundation with its 2018 Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications.
Nusenda Executive Director Robin Brulé and members of her team will receive the award at the Council’s Member Meeting and…
Charlottesville Area Community Foundation’s Brennan Gould to Receive 2018 Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking
The Council on Foundations today announced that Brennan Gould, president and CEO of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, will receive its Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking for an innovative grantmaking initiative created in response to the deadly racial riots that rocked…
Global Philanthropy Update - September 2018
September is a month of global conversations and events for the development community. As important actors in the global movement to achieve the ambitious targets within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, foundations play a vital role in this community.
Earlier this month, foundation…
Washington Snapshot: We Need Your Input on UBIT, Appropriations Update
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
We Need Your Input on UBIT!
Appropriations Update
Rettig Takes Over as New IRS Commissioner
2018 Elections: Attorneys General
2018 Ballot Measures of Interest
We Need Your Input on UBIT!
Many foundations and other charitable organizations are going to face…
Career Pathways: Supporting Underserved Communities
Editor's note: This is part of our blog series featuring current participants in the Career Pathways program. Applications for the 2019 cohort opened in September 5.
I’ve always cared about social issues. Growing up queer, in a mixed-race household, the daughter of two social workers, gave me a…
2018 Member Meeting and Council on Foundations Awards Ceremony
The Council on Foundations Awards Program was established to recognize excellence in philanthropy and honor exemplary leaders for their dedication to exploring creative ways to advance the common good.
This year’s ceremony, held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on November 28, 2018,…
Opportunity Zones: Can Foundations Help Communities Get Ready?
View the Slides
With the passage of last year’s tax code overhaul, Congress created Opportunity Zones—areas in low-income census tracks designated by governors, where private equity investors can invest capital gains in new development ventures in exchange for tax forgiveness after 10 years.…
Racial Equity Forum: Philanthropy and Government - Louisville
Due to the snow storm on the East Coast, this event is now cancelled.
Council on Foundations and National League of Cities will convene three conversations across the United States on racial equity. With support from the Lumina Foundation, philanthropic and government leaders will come together…
Racial Equity Forum: Philanthropy and Government - LA
Council on Foundations and National League of Cities will convene three conversations across the United States on racial equity. With support from the Lumina Foundation, philanthropic and government leaders will come together to raise awareness about the social impact of structural racism while…
Racial Equity Forum: Philanthropy and Government - DC
Council on Foundations and National League of Cities convened the first of three conversations on racial equity. With support from the Lumina Foundation, philanthropic and government leaders came together in DC to raise awareness about the social impact of structural racism while…
Hurricane Florence: What's Next?
Revisit this co-hosted Webinar to hear perspectives directly from the front lines of disaster impacted areas.
The devastation of Hurricane Florence has wide-reaching impacts that will require strategic, long-term investments. The Council co-sponsored this webinar on Tuesday, September 18, with…
What to Watch at UN General Assembly 2018
This month, thousands of representatives from governments, civil society, and the corporate sector will come together in New York for the 73rd annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Alongside the high-level conversations within the UN, hundreds of side-events will address the world’s…
Veteran's Philanthropy Exchange: Successes and Challenges in Veterans Transition
This is a funders-only meeting to share what funders have learned from their investments in veterans transition and the continuing challenges veterans and their families face as they return to civilian life after military service. Panelists and attendees will share data and metrics, grantmaking…
Creating Inclusive Economic Prosperity Starts with Each of Us
Earlier this week, there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to my desk.
It was from the Community Foundation team to mark a milestone in my life—and my family’s life. We moved to the Quad Cities four years ago and I began working with an incredible group of people—board members and…