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.
Council on Foundations Announces 2018 Cohort of Career Pathways
The Council on Foundations is proud to announce the 24 members of its 2018 Career Pathways cohort, representing the fifth class of the program.
Career Pathways equips mid-career professionals at grantmaking organizations and other non-profit institutions to lead high-performing organizations and…
Summary and Analysis of The Final Tax Reform Legislation
January 2, 2017
See the Council's statement on the passage of the final tax reform bill - December 20, 2017.
See the Council's joint statement with Independent Sector and National Council of Nonprofits - December 16, 2017.
Having passed different versions of tax reform in the House (H.R.1)…
Nonprofits and Foundations Stand United in Opposition to the Tax Bill
Independent Sector, the Council on Foundations, and the National Council of Nonprofits, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable and philanthropic organizations, are unified in opposition to the final tax legislation.
This is the most consequential tax legislation for the…
Global Philanthropy Newsletter - December 2017
Season’s greetings from the Global Philanthropy team here at the Council! It finally feels like winter in D.C. and we’ve even had a taste of snow.
Across the world, 2017 has been a year of change and transition. As the year ends, I’ve been reflecting on our program’s impact in 2017, especially as…
Washington Snapshot: Tax Bill Just Days Away from Passage
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot
Tax Conference Committee Commences as GOP Leaders Announce a Deal
Congress Avoids Shutdown, Stalls Shutdown Decision
IRS to Pursue Changes to 1023-EZ in 2018
Clarification on IRS Notice 2017-73
In the States: Governors and Lawmakers Prepare for Budget…
2017 California Wildfires
Disaster Overview
In December 2017, nearly 9,000 wildfires tore through the State of California, burning 1.2 million acres of land, destroying more than 10,800 structures and killing at least 46 people.
Source: Washington Post
Member and Partner Resources
The Council co-sponsored a funders phone…
Economic Development as a Charitable Activity
Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law:
The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources
Economic development grants raise all sorts of intriguing legal issues. May a charity participate with non-charitable and even for-profit companies in a development project it does not control? What…
Washington Snapshot: Tax Bill Heads to Conference, Moves Closer to Passage
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot
Tax Bill Proceeds to Conference Committee
Congress Faces Deadline to Avoid a Government Shutdown
IRS Requests Comments for Certain Situations Involving DAFs
In the States: Governors, Legislatures Struggle to Close Budget Gaps, Illinois Improves Government-…
Council on Foundations Statement on Senate Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill:
“Today’s Senate passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have long term catastrophic impacts on philanthropies, charities, and the people that they serve. Coinciding with a time of year…
Tax Reform Member Update
Members, View the Recording
Council on Foundations Senior Vice President for Government Relations Hadar Susskind hosts a member call to discuss the current House and Senate tax reform bills. If allowed to become law, the current tax reform effort will have disastrous consequences for charitable…
2018 Public Policy Summit - Registration
Registration
Online Registration
Online Registration is closed. You can register onsite at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in the Millennium Hall foyer on the 2nd floor. For faster onsite registration, please fill out the paper registration form and bring it with you.
Registration Rates…
Washington Snapshot: Senate Advances Tax Bill, Moving Full Speed Toward Passage
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot
Tax reform: The Senate begins debate on tax reform, advancing tax reform ever closer to the President’s desk
In the States: Michigan nonprofits and philanthropic groups promote Census 2020, a year in review of the charitable deduction challenges and expansion,…
Schedule-At-A-Glance
This schedule is subject to change.
Wednesday, April 11
6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Opening Plenary — Engage, Educate, and Empower: Philanthropy’s Voice in the Public Policy Arena
Thursday, April 12
8-9 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Veterans Philanthropy…
Working Group
Khalif Ali
Director of Public Policy and Advocacy
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pete Bird
President
The Frist Foundation
Gina Dalma
Special Advisor to the CEO and Vice President of Government Relations
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Bruce…
Teaming Together to Mitigate the Impact of Implicit Bias
Approximately 50 leaders from higher education, philanthropy, and the private sector recently met at Duke University for an intimate conversation about implicit bias. Organized by the TIAA Institute, Duke University, and the Council on Foundations, “Managing Effectively Across Differences: The…