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.
Observations from the Field: Vikki Spruill
Over the past several months, Council staff have held conversations with foundation leaders who are grappling with how to understand philanthropy’s role as the new Administration challenges the way our country has traditionally operated. The pace with which significant changes are proposed and…
Council Member Update
Members Access the Recording
Thanks to everyone who attended the first Council Member Update of 2017.
Council President and CEO Vikki Spruill covered why this is such a critical time for philanthropy — and what the Council has planned in the year ahead to help strengthen the field.
Attendees also…
Washington Snapshot - February 9, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: Council staff meets with Chairman Brady, there is a new member of Ways and Means, and tax bills are not in short supply
The Council sends a letter to Congress about the “Johnson Amendment”
A number of the President’s Cabinet Nominees have…
Call Recording: White House "Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements" Executive Order Explained
On January 27, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order on "Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements." Since then, there have been protests in cities and airports around the nation, there have been statements from elected officials on both sides of the aisle, and there has…
Does Trump's Immigration Executive Order Impact My Foundation?
Basic Rights and Rules for Foundations working with Non-US Citizens
Disclaimer: The information in this message and any attachments is being provided for informational purposes only and not as part of an attorney-client relationship. The information is not a substitute for expert legal, tax,or…
Five Trends in Learning and Evaluation
Evaluation and philanthropic learning are essential to driving social change. Here are five trends to look out for in 2017 – and likely beyond:
1. Integrating Evaluation into Strategy
In the philanthropic, nonprofit, and public sectors, and more recently with socially oriented businesses, demand…
Washington Snapshot - February 2, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: POTUS Meets with Congressional Leaders About Tax Reform
Cabinet Nominations Progress in Congress
Bill Introduced to Allow Expanded Political Activity by Nonprofits
President Trump Issues more Executive Orders
SCOTUS Nominee Announced…
Council on Foundations and HUD Kick Off 2017 Secretary’s Awards for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships
The Council on Foundations and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today launched the 2017 HUD Secretary’s Awards for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. The Council and HUD are seeking nominations from charitable foundations working with the public sector to improve the…
Celebrating National African American History Month
February marks the observance of National African American History Month, a commemoration with origins dating back to 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson instituted a week-long celebration to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to history. 50 years later, as part of the United States…
What I'm Learning in Career Pathways
Last October, I received an email about an HR nonprofit diversity conference in San Francisco. I forwarded the email to our HR director. I wondered what cool organization had sponsored this event? While surfing around the website of that cool organization, CoF, I spotted the page for the Career…
Washington Snapshot - January 26, 2017
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot...
Congress Rolls Out Ambitious 200-Day Plan
President Trump Instates Regulatory Freeze
International NGOs Face New Restrictions with U.S. Grant Dollars
In the States: State of the State Addresses 2017
News from the Hill
So, What’s Up with Tax Reform…
Global Philanthropy Update — January 2017
Did you march with the millions of women in cities around the world last week? Or watch President Trump’s inauguration last Friday? Here in D.C., it’s been a crowded and hectic start to 2017.
At the Council, we are busy preparing for our Annual Conference in April and have launched several new…
Washington Snapshot - January 19, 2017
In this Week's Edition of Snapshot...
Senate Finance Committee considers Mnuchin for Treasury Secretary
Trump butts heads with House Republicans on key tax reform issue
Council sends letter from Vikki to every Congressional office
IRS issues guidance on rules for private foundation…
Looking To The Future: Localizing The Global Goals In Minnesota
There are significant challenges facing Minnesota’s communities, including racial inequality in education, economic opportunities and health outcomes. In Minnesota, members of the philanthropic community work in a variety of innovative and collaborative ways to address these challenges and create a…
Healing Divisions: A National Day of Racial Healing
As the nation approaches the inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, our society remains conflicted on our ability to be united as a people. We find ourselves seeking relief from the divisiveness brought about by several events of the prior year: the civil unrest in many of our…
A Day On, Not a Day Off: Serving Your Community on MLK Day
Monday, January 16, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day), a federal holiday in the U.S. The fact that a federal holiday was designated to commemorate the birthdate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is significant - only two other figures have national holidays in the U.S. honoring them: George…