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.
Uganda: Data Strategy and Capacity Building
This resource from Foundation Center presents a summary report of a series of workshops on data strategy and capacity building for philanthropy in Uganda.
South Africa 2015 Report
This article from Coutts summarizes key charitable giving data in South Africa.
Doing Good Index 2018: Maximizing Asia's Potential
This report from the Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society examines the enabling environments for philanthropy and private social investment in 15 Asian countries.
Getting Started with Grantmaking in Indonesia
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you to others working in Indonesia, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
U.S. foundations with local offices
National listing of certified NGOs
Local…
Getting Started with Grantmaking in Nigeria
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in Nigeria, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
U.S. foundations with local offices
You may also want to reference our…
Getting Started with Grantmaking in China
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in China, we have identified:Local nonprofit and philanthropic networksKey local legal contactsU.S. foundations with local officesLocal community foundationsNational regulations to noteYou…
Getting Started with Grantmaking in Kenya
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in Kenya, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
U.S. foundations with local offices
National listing of certified NGOs
Local…
Getting Started with Grantmaking in Canada
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in Canada, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
Council members in Canada
National listing of certified NGOs
Local community…
Getting Started with Grantmaking in Mexico
Getting Started is a new members-only resource within Country Notes. To help connect you with others working in Mexico, we have identified:
Local nonprofit and philanthropic networks
Key local legal contacts
Council members in Mexico
U.S. foundations with local offices
National…
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.