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.
In Hilton Head, One Foundation Is Working to Provide Public Sewer to Homes
Editor’s Note: This blog post spotlights Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, which was one of 10 recipients of the 2017 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. The awards are a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Council on…
Washington Snapshot - May 25, 2017
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Ways and Means holds tax reform hearing, tension builds around border adjustment idea
New research estimates sharp decrease in giving under proposed tax code changes
Trump administration releases FY 2018 budget
In the States: New York nonprofit contractors…
Global Philanthropy Update - May 2017
Council staff are back in D.C. after a whirlwind Annual Conference in Dallas last month, where we were joined by more than 1000 attendees from around the world. You can see conference highlights at cof.org/2017annual. Thank you to all of our global speakers and especially to our global conference…
Washington Snapshot - May 18, 2017
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: Ways and Means Committee holds hearings, Senate gears up for tax reform
Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy named
Hearing on IRS reform scheduled for tomorrow
In the States: state budgets passing but on shaky footing; Mainers seek block…
Career Pathways: Reflections on #COFAnnual
Three years ago, I met Charles Story at the Grants Managers Network annual conference in San Diego. He was a featured panelist on a session about Extreme Management — successfully leading teams in constantly changing organizational environments. I was so impressed with his insights that we would…
Jeopardy Investments
Members, Access the Recording
Join us for the second webinar in a series called, “Lunch with Legal Counsel.” Suzanne Friday, Senior Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs at the Council on Foundation reviews and explains IRS Code Section 4944: Taxes on investments which jeopardize charitable…
Journey Towards Improving Outcomes
Members, Access the Recording
This webinar introduces an approach to investing for community impact as a shared strategic commitment from the different perspectives of the funder and the grantee nonprofit. Our experts offer best practices for high performance, and Huey & Angelina Wilson…
Washington Snapshot - May 11, 2017
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: Health care legislation passed the House — so what now for tax reform?
Private foundation excise tax simplification bill introduced in House
House Set to Hold Hearings on Tax Reform and IRS Reform
FBI Director, Census Director Are Out…
2016 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report: Administrative and Program Expense Tables
Publication, Research
The 2016 Administrative and Program Expense Tables provide foundations with tools to benchmark their expenses – charitable administrative, program service, and qualifying distributions – against peers in the field. Containing data collected through the Council’s 2016 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits…
Washington Snapshot - May 4, 2017
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
BREAKING: House holding Johnson Amendment hearing today, President Trump signs EO
Tax Reform Update: White House releases tax plan, Congress continues toward health care and tax reform bills
Congress averts a government shutdown
President Trump’s first 100…
Council on Foundations Statement Regarding White House Tax Cut Statement
Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill:
“Today’s White House statement on its tax reform position clarifies the first step in what will be a long process towards meaningful tax reform. We are especially pleased to see the White…
Council on Foundations Kicks off 2017 Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas
The Council on Foundations opened its Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, this week with a special address from President George W. Bush. He talked about the current work of the George W. Bush Institute and its Military Service Initiative, which ensures post-9/11 veterans and their families…
HUD and Council on Foundations Announce Winners of 2017 Secretary's Award
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Council on Foundations (COF) today announced the winners of the 2017 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.
The awards were presented at the Council on Foundations Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas, earlier…
Philanthropy's Role in Bridging Divides through Civil Discourse and Shared Dialogue
Thank you Sherry for that introduction. Sherry is our outgoing Board Chair and has done a remarkable job during her tenure with the Council’s Board. She recently wrote a moving piece that you may have seen on what the Council means to her, and how the Council is and I quote, “the one entity…
Washington Snapshot - April 20, 2017
We will be taking a break from sending Snapshot next week due to our Annual Conference, but will resume sending on May 4. We look forward to seeing those of you who will be joining us in Dallas!
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: Debate continues as charitable issues receive…
Washington Snapshot - April 13, 2017
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: Congress may be in recess this week, but tax reform is still the talk of the town
Congress Adjourns for Recess Without Clear Strategy on Spending Legislation
Gorsuch Swearing In Returns SCOTUS to Full Capacity
White House Lifts Hiring…