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.
Partnering for Progress
Editor's Note: The following is an edited version of a Mott Perspectives piece written by Ridgway White, president of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The original was published on the Foundation’s website on July 16, 2018, and is being republished as a part of our series on the winners of the…
Tax Update: Deep Dive into Tax Reform and recent IRS Guidance
Editor's note: This post is one in a series highlighting sessions for the upcoming Endowments and Finance Summit, held in Washington, DC, on September 6-7. The Summit is where foundation leaders – such as CEOs, CIOs, CFOs, Senior Investment Officers and board and investment committee members –…
Private Philanthropy Update - August 2018
This July, the Council and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) presented the 2018 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. We were honored to recognize seven different private foundations for their cross-sector partnerships that increase the quality…
Washington Snapshot: Johnson Amendment Remains in the Crosshairs, Bill to Repeal UBIT Changes Introduced in the Senate
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Johnson Amendment Attack Reiterated by Sen. Lankford
Bills to Repeal UBIT Changes Introduced in Senate
Bill to Reinstate Schedule B Requirements for All Nonprofits Introduced in Senate
Senate Finance Votes to Advance Treasury/IRS Nominations
Appropriations…
Philanthropy Law in China
View the Recording
The International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and the Council on Foundations co-hosted an instructive, engaging webinar that unpacked the legal framework for philanthropy in China, featuring Chinese civil society experts Shawn Shieh and Jessica Batke.
Shawn…
Washington Snapshot: New Bill to Expand Foundation Scholarship Programs Introduced in the House, Senate Seeks to Avoid Shutdown Threats by Bundling Spending Bills
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
New Bill to Expand Foundation Scholarship Programs Introduced in House
Ways and Means Unveils Tax Reform 2.0 Summary
Senate Finance to Hold Hearing for Treasury/IRS Nominees
Senate Seeks to Avoid Shutdown Threats by Bundling Spending Bills
Primary Runoff…
Strengthening Communities to Be Smoke Free
Editor's Note: This is part of our series focusing on the winners of the 2018 Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced a nationwide smoke-free policy for all public housing locations…
Council on Foundations Applauds Introduction of the Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act
The Council on Foundations on Tuesday applauds the introduction of the Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act (H.R. 6486) by Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Terri Sewell (D-AL) on July 24. The bill would allow charitable foundations to administer post-graduation…
Partnering to Create Success through Housing Grants in Alaska
Editor's Note: This is part of our series focusing on the winners of the 2018 Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.
The Creekview Plaza housing development in Anchorage, Alaska
For a decade Rasmuson Foundation has worked alongside…
Creative Grantmaking Today: Redefining Risk in Philanthropy
In 2003, when I was a co-recipient of the Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking, the theme of the Council on Foundations’ conference was collaboration. Instead of giving a speech, one of the co-recipients, Luz Vega-Marquis,* demonstrated the spirit of collaboration when she asked all…
Washington Snapshot: Council Works with Senators on Letter to Treasury Secretary, Tax Cuts 2.0 Update
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Senators, Worried About a Decline in Charitable Giving, Request Information from Treasury
House to Vote on Appropriations “Minibus” with Johnson Amendment Rider
Treasury Rolls-Back Donor Disclosure Requirements, Wyden Disapproves
Tax Cuts 2.0 Update
2018…
Insights from the 2017 Investment of Endowments Study
Foundation endowment managers faced both challenges and opportunities in 2017 as they worked towards funding the grantmaking practices of their organizations, including a continued increase in scrutiny from policymakers and preparing for the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, as…
Connecting the Dots between Housing and Health in Chicago
Editor's Note: This is part of our series focusing on the winners of the 2018 Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.
When I learned Polk Bros. Foundation and Michael Reese Health Trust would be presented with the 2018 HUD Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic…
Nonprofit, Foundation Leaders Oppose Ban of Amendments to Remove anti-Johnson Amendment Rider from Appropriations Bill
The House Rules Committee approved a rule for consideration of the Financial Services and Interior/Environment “mini-bus” appropriations bill (H.R. 6147) that refuses to allow debate or action to remove a disingenuous provision that elevates partisan politics over nonprofit missions and…
How Do US Foundations Support Global Programs and Partners?
New Data and Trends on International Giving
Did you know that grants by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation accounted for almost 50% of all international grants awarded by US foundations? Or that between 2011 and 2015, only 12% of funds went directly to local organizations without…