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.
Investing in Creative People to Build Healthier Local Economies and Communities
Supporting the economic security and growth of creative professionals can build their individual resilience. This can have a positive impact on family and community, and contribute to core local economic development goals. Learn from Springboard for the Arts’ experience in expanding economic…
Joining in Solidarity to Defend the Philanthropic Sector (CEO Only)
In this moment of complexity, as foundations and their missions are under attack, CEOs are facing new and emerging challenges. Join this roundtable to connect with fellow leaders about how we can work together to build a stronger sector, and how we can show up purposefully for our partners in this…
Lessons From a Community Funder’s Journey to Advance Equitable Policy Change
Join us for an engaging workshop that takes you on a journey through a community foundation’s efforts to build community power and foster widespread public support for equitable policies and practices. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how Fairfield County's Community Foundation leverages…
How Place-Based Funders Can Shape State-Level Public Policy Through Consensus
This session will highlight place-based philanthropy’s role in shaping state-level public policy by convening diverse stakeholders for collaborative problem-solving. Panelists will discuss an innovative partnership between Lift a Life Novak Family Foundation, the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, and…
How Intergenerational Programs Can Advance Your Mission
While most foundations focus on defined issues or demographics, others find success maximizing impact with intergenerational solutions. Intended for all foundation professionals, this session shows how The Eisner Foundation, RRF Foundation for Aging, and the Michigan Health Endowment Fund have…
Inclusive Strategies for Community-Driven Philanthropy
In 2012 a network of community philanthropies in Washington State came together, committed to making philanthropy more equitable through community-led and driven solutions. Three cohort members will share how learning together fueled innovation in their approaches to fostering belonging across…
Improve the Civic Health of Communities by Collaborating with Local and Hyperlocal News
Learn how two foundations in two different geographies are using similar approaches to improve civic health and community engagement, fill vital information gaps and build trust by supporting local, hyperlocal and community-based news providers. Working on the local level, these…
Insights from a Place-Based Minority Business Learning Cohort
This session highlights the power of partnerships through learning cohorts. Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund donated $100 million to support small business owners who were disproportionately affected by the pandemic in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles, and Miami. A national learning…
Increasing Trust Amid Decreasing Attention
Nonprofit leaders and funders alike say storytelling is simultaneously one of their greatest needs and greatest challenges. Attention is increasingly fragmented and audiences are fatigued by marketing campaigns and clever pitches. In this session, you will learn how increasing the dimensionality of…
Leveraging Narrative Power to Inspire Stronger Communities
Participants in this session will gain insight into their role in supporting place-based, community-driven stories. This session is relevant for communications and program staff, executive leaders, and board members. Because narrative work spans all sectors, both place-based and issue-based funders…
How Funders Can Lead with Humility in Community-Centered Collaboration
What does it look like for funders to truly center the expertise and goals of community? The Houston Economic Growth Collaborative is a multi-sector initiative exploring the potential to invest more than $100M over 10 years in resident-defined priorities. Leaders will share early lessons on…
Listening to Shift Power: Kellogg Foundation's Experience with Participatory Philanthropy in Hawai’i
Fund for Shared Insight, a national funder collaborative, invited funders to a participatory climate initiative in Hawai’i. The Kellogg Foundation, which funds in Hawai’i, and is committed to equity, was a core partner. The effort was designed to involve people most impacted by climate change in…
How Can Foundations Affect Family Economic Stability and System Change
How do funders build lasting change in our communities? The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and The Pew Charitable Trusts share examples of recent partnerships in Tennessee and Minnesota on strategies and tools to address eviction and court-enforced debt collection. This session will…