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.
2018 Public Policy Summit - Recap
Summit Recap
Over the course of three days from April 11–13, 2018, the Council convened over 200 leaders in Philadelphia to participate in our inaugural Public Policy Summit. Attendees engaged in thoughtful discussions around trending issues and the cutting-edge, innovative strategies that…
Toolkit
The philanthropic sector has a unique opportunity to highlight the voices and concerns of the communities it serves. Nonprofit VOTE, Independent Sector, United Philanthropy Forum, and the Council on Foundations believe we should bring those voices to the forefront. By producing a toolkit to provide…
Council on Foundations, Independent Sector and Nonprofit VOTE Create Definitive Nonpartisan Voter Engagement Toolkits for Community and Private Foundations
Foundations who wish to provide nonpartisan support to encourage voter participation and strengthen democracy now have comprehensive new resources. On Thursday, April 12, the Council on Foundations, Independent Sector, and Nonprofit VOTE will release two new toolkits at the Council on Foundation's…
Leadership in a Changing World
As we consider the road ahead for the Council on Foundations, “leadership” is a word that comes up over and over again. The question is how the Council can continue to serve the broader philanthropic field while also helping to define issues and bring our members together around solutions and…
Leading Together 2019 Conference
It's a Wrap!
Leading Together 2019 was a gathering of leaders in philanthropy and other influencers in business, government, and academia. For three days, the field came together to connect, learn, and share with one another.
We also used Leading Together 2019 as an opportunity to…
Private Philanthropy Newsletter—April 2018
By now you have heard the news that Vikki Spruill has accepted a position at the New England Aquarium and in June will return to the ocean conservation community, where she has deep roots. Our board president, Javier Soto, is leading the Outreach Committee, which will gather input from the…
Washington Snapshot: President, Congressional Leaders Eye Spending Reductions
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
President, Congressional Leaders Eye Spending Reductions
Trump to Nominate Muzinich for Deputy Treasury Secretary
Updates to IRS Publication 526 Regarding Giving for Natural Disasters
In the States: SALT Workaround Enacted in New York, Oklahoma Preserves…
Shifting the Power: Applying Community Philanthropy to Durable Development, Here and Abroad
While slogans like “think globally, act locally” have been around for decades, still so much decision-making about philanthropy and development aid happens by stakeholders outside communities. Even those funders that care deeply about championing local leadership and initiatives often struggle with…
Where and How is the Global Environment for Philanthropy Changing?
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The Council on Foundations and many of our partners around the world are watching the changing environment for philanthropy across the globe, as the enabling environment for giving within countries and across borders is improving in some places and at the same…
The New Power of Philanthropy
Members, View the Recording
Why do some leap ahead while others fall behind in today’s chaotic, connected world? In NEW POWER, Henry Timms (CEO of 92nd Street Y and founder of #GivingTuesday) and his co-author Jeremy Heimans (CEO of Purpose) confront the biggest stories of our age and reveal…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Passes Spending Bill, Releases IRS Reform Proposal
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Omnibus Signed into Law, Averting Another Shutdown
House Continues Push for IRS Reform
Guidance Forthcoming on New UBIT Laws
In the States: Interest Grows for Medicaid Work and Volunteering Eligibility Mandates, Making Sure Donations Don’t Determine Domicile…
100&Change: A Prize Competition?
On December 20, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced the first recipient of our 100&Change competition’s $100 million grant: an early childhood intervention for children in the Syrian refugee region co-developed by Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee.…
Council on Foundations Congratulates Vikki Spruill on Her Appointment to Become President and CEO of the New England Aquarium
Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from Javier Alberto Soto, President of the Miami Foundation and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Council on Foundations:
“On behalf of the Board and staff of the Council on Foundations, we congratulate Vikki Spruill on her…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Races to Prevent Government Shutdown, Trump Administration Shake-Up
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Congress Set to Vote on Omnibus Ahead of Friday Deadline
A Recap of Foundations on the Hill 2018
President Trump Shakes-Up Administration
FEMA Announces Webinars to Discuss Strategic Plan
In the States: Expanding Minnesota Non-Itemizer Deductions, Donor…
Global Philanthropy Newsletter—March 2018
This month, work on public policy that impacts philanthropy has been a large focus across the Council. Most relevant to global grantmakers, I’ve been working with partners on the US Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA). There are more than seven bills currently proposed in the House and Senate…
Philanthropic Leaders Converge on Capitol Hill to Shine Spotlight on Veterans Health Issues
The Council on Foundations’ Veterans Philanthropy Exchange hosted a congressional briefing to highlight work underway in veterans’ healthcare and mental health services for transitioning veterans. The briefing, which included leaders from Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Robert R. McCormick…