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.
Bainbridge Excursion
Dive into a true Seattle experience, beginning with a scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound. Enjoy lunch on the island, then take a tour of the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial guided by our friends at Trust for Public Land highlighting the history and resilience of the Bainbridge Island…
Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - December 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America and the Caribbean and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the…
Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - October 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America & the Caribbean and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the…
Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - July 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America and the Caribbean and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the…
Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - May 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America and the Caribbean region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - December 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - October 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - August 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - July 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - May 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Washington Snapshot: Treasury 990 Transparency Initiative
The Department of the Treasury announced plans to revise Form 990 to “improve transparency, strengthen tax administration, and provide clearer reporting on certain activities of tax-exempt organizations.” These activities include government grants and contracts, as well as fiscal sponsorships. Plus…
Preparing for a Successful Building Together Experience
As the beginning of May inches (or maybe barrels) closer, the anticipation of travel builds. This comes with real excitement for learning, connecting, and inspiration, but it also comes with some challenges. Work travel isn’t easy, but conferences like this, in my experience, are always worth it!…
The IssueThe One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA - P.L. 119-21) included a provision (Section 70411) to create a new nonrefundable tax credit for contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). An SGO is defined as a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides scholarships to students for…
Washington Snapshot: FY2027 Presidential Budget Request
Last Friday, the Trump Administration released the White House’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) President’s Budget Request. Plus, Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers, an Executive Order on elections, and more.
Legal Compliance Guidance
When disaster strikes a community, disaster relief funds administered through community foundations offer an efficient way to quickly get aid to those who need it. But it’s important to understand how the Internal Revenue Code requires these charitable funds be used, which can vary depending on the…
Leading in Turbulent Times: A Growing Demand for Constructive Dialogue
Like many other social sector services, American higher education has been battered by a set of pressures tied to political polarization: escalating campus protests, growing public skepticism, and donor and legislative scrutiny over the past several years. The result: a pervasive sense that the…