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.
Washington Snapshot: Congress Continues Budget Discussions, Council Submits DAF Comments
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Budget Conversations Continue on Capitol Hill
Council and ICNL Hold Congressional Briefing on FARA
Council Submits Comments to Treasury/IRS on DAF Situations
POTUS Nominates IRS Chief Counsel
White House Chief Economic Advisor Resigns
In the States: SALT…
Council Comments on Treasury/IRS DAF Notice 2017-73
The Council on Foundations wrote, on behalf of our members, to the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in response to Notice 2017-73—which was released on Dec. 4, 2017, and requested comments on the application of penalties with respect to donor advised…
2018 Endowments & Finance Summit
Access Endowments and Finance Summit Resources
The Endowments & Finance Summit, the leading forum at the nexus of philanthropy, finance, investment, and policy is where C-Suite foundation leaders go to explore the shifting forces in the investment landscape; gain invaluable…
Schedule
Thursday, September 6
8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Opening Plenary - Harnessing the Momentum, Finding Opportunities, Building Stronger Futures
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Educating Your Board: The Rise of Impact /…
Plenary Sessions
Opening Plenary — Engage, Educate, and Empower: Philanthropy’s Voice in the Public Policy Arena
Wednesday, April 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
We are in a unique moment in our history. The day’s political debates increasingly divide our country. Philanthropy has a role to play in…
Opportunity Zones - A Value to Your Community?
Fundamentals
What are Opportunity Zones?
Created by changes to the tax code in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, Opporunity Zones are state-nominated, economically depressed communities that are in need of new investment. These investments could, under certain circumstances, be eligable for…
International Women's Day: Perspectives in Philanthropy
International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The philanthropic sector is especially poised to take on this action.
The 2018 theme for International…
Grantmaking Innovation: Using a Competition Model to Fund Bold Ideas
Members, View the Recording
Prizes, challenges, and competitions can bring new awareness to critical issues, help grantmakers reach beyond their existing networks, and connect participants with new resources. But they are not easy to do well.
Join the Council for a discussion between two…
Private Philanthropy Update - March 2018
Earlier this month, President Trump released his budget proposal for the 2019 fiscal year, which proposes cuts to federal agencies and grant programs like the statement in support of NEA and the importance of public-private partnerships.
In 2011, NEA brought together several foundations…
Washington Snapshot: Ways and Means Holds Budget Markup, Senior IRS Official Resigns
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Ways and Means Committee Adopts FY 2019 Budget Views and Estimates Letter
Senior Treasury Official Leaves Agency Amid Tax Reform Implementation
In the States: SALT Workaround Bills Advance
News from the Hill
Ways and Means Committee Adopts FY 2019 Budget…
State Level SALT Work-Arounds: What Do They Mean for Philanthropy?
Members, View the Recording
With the passage of tax reform and the repeal of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, a handful of high-tax states—such as New Jersey, California, and New York—have been considering proposals to alleviate the new burden their residents will now face. Many…
Webinar: The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and Dangers to US Nonprofits
View the Recording
The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is front page news in the wake of Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. Since its enactment in 1938, FARA has been rarely enforced, but Congress has recently considering several bills to increase its implementation…
Washington Snapshot: JCT Estimates Number of Itemizers Will Decrease Under New Tax Law
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
JCT Estimates Number of Itemizers Under New Tax Law
IRS Issues Guidelines on New Opportunity Zones
FEMA Seeks Youths
Commerce Releases New Strategic Plan
In the States: SALT Workaround Bills Advance
News from the Hill
JCT Estimates Number of Itemizers…
Federal Budget
Fiscal Year 2027 Administration Budget RequestOn April 3, 2026, the Trump Administration released the President's FY2027 Budget Request to Congress. The Budget proposes a 10% cut to non-defense spending, including proposed cuts to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); FEMA non-disaster grants; and…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Ends Brief Shutdown, New IRS Commissioner Officially Nominated
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot:
Brief Government Shutdown Ended with Passage of Budget Deal
Trump Administration Releases 2018-19 Budget
Repeal of Johnson Amendment Raised at National Prayer Breakfast
President Trump Officially Nominates New IRS Head
FEMA Requests Comments on Natural…
990 PF Storytelling
Members, View the Recording
Have you read your institution's 990-PF lately? Have you ever stopped to think what headlines it might inspire? The IRS recently started releasing e-filed Forms 990 and 990-PF as machine-readable, open data. Because the data is now not only open, but digital and machine-…