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.
World AIDS Day
Today is World AIDS Day — a time for people all over the globe to remember those we have lost to HIV and to recommit ourselves to ending the AIDS epidemic once and for all. On this day, the Council on Foundations salutes the many individuals and organizations united in the fight against HIV and…
Acts of Kindness Amplified This #GivingTuesday
Hundreds of stories are amplified by the minute during #GivingTuesday. The global and social movement captures the hearts, minds, and spirits of many who look to philanthropy on this day.
On the heels of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday puts the focus back on the giving season by…
Implementation of Department of Labor Overtime Rule Halted
Following up on the webinar we presented in August on the overtime rule that was issued by the Department of Labor in May, we wanted to inform the field that a federal judge in Texas has issued a nationwide injunction to halt the implementation of this rule. The injunction is effective immediately—…
Council on Foundations Now Accepting Nominations for 2017 Council Awards
The Council on Foundations today announced that the nomination period for its 2017 Awards Program is open now through January 18, 2017.
Every day, Council members stand at the forefront of innovation, exploring creative ways to advance the common good and finding solutions for complex issues. The…
Washington Snapshot - November 17, 2016
In this week's Washington Snapshot:
Updates from the Council
Congressional Leadership Falling into Place
State and Local Election Results
Pennsylvania Legislator Seeks to Legislate Discredited "Overhead Ratio"
Read the full Snapshot Now
Washington Snapshot - November 10, 2016
The Election Results are in...
So What Does all of This Mean for Philanthropy?
Early on Wednesday morning, President-elect Donald Trump was confirmed in winning the election to become the 45th President of the United States. But the Presidential race was not the only landmark in American politics…
2017 Annual Conference - Awards Programming
Awards Programming
Join the Council in honoring exemplars in the field of philanthropy at our 2017 Annual Conference. The Council will present the 2017 Distinguished Service Award and Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications at the Annual Meeting of the Members, and the Secretary…
Investing in Communities - National Entrepreneurship Month
We all knew that November was going to be a tumultuous month (if you hadn't heard, there's an election today). When the polls close and the dust settles, the country could be set on one of a number of starkly different paths. Perhaps because of this uncertainty, President Obama took the…
Washington Snapshot - November 3, 2016
Philanthropy News and Op-Eds
The Council Speaks Out on the Value of DAFs
On Thursday, October 27, the Chronicle of Philanthropy released this year’s Philanthropy 400. Of particular note is the fact that Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund moved into the number one spot on the list. Accompanying the list…
Trending in Legal Affairs: Foundation Events, Elections and Political Campaign Activity
On Tuesday, November 8, Americans will go to the polls to elect the forty-fifth president of the United States, 34 Senators, and the entire House of Representatives, as well as hundreds of state and local officials. And while interested parties may urge constituents to get involved and participate…
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Fundraising Year
As preparation for winter holidays begin earlier and earlier, the Council wants to provide an important resource for your year-end fundraising and grantmaking activities. The IRS provides a wealth of resources on charitable contribution deductions. While I’d enjoy writing details about each of them…
Members, Send Us Your Conference Ideas!
Registration is open for our 2017 Annual Conference — Leading Together — in Dallas, Texas, next April 23-26, and we are asking our members to help us build the conference you want to attend. We have a call for sessions open until November 4, and we hope you will take this opportunity to share your…
Washington Snapshot - October 27, 2016
News from the Hill
Update on Republican Blueprint for Tax Reform
In June 2016, House Republicans unveiled a blueprint for tax reform. This week, they released a new video to promote and explain the plan. Barbara Angus, chief tax counsel for the majority on the House Ways and Means Committee,…
Trending in Legal Affairs - Halloween Edition: Exorcising Expenditure Responsibility
An inexperienced grants manager was nervous, dreadfully nervous.
One dark evening, a spirited major donor appeared at the community foundation. The donor, wanting to assist with local community improvements, recommended a grant from his donor advised fund (DAF) to the chamber of commerce, a 501(c)(…
Council Submits Letter to Treasury on Forthcoming DAF Regulations
After meeting with senior officials at the Department of Treasury, the Council submitted a letter on October 21, 2016 to Elinor Ramey, Attorney Advisor in the Office of Tax Policy regarding private foundations and how they may use donor advised funds (“DAFs”) to further their grantmaking activity.…
Does Your Grantmaking to Conflict Zones Make It There?
From Whitehall Road to Chancery Lane, government officials and charity leaders from numerous countries navigated London’s fashion week chaos last month in their most orthopedic shoes and ill-fighting business attire to discuss barriers to international grantmaking. Specifically, they discussed…