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 - March 4, 2016
News from the Hill
Congress Grows More Skeptical of Universities
This Wednesday, the Ways and Means Oversight Committee held a hearing entitled: Protecting the Free Exchange of Ideas on College Campuses. Though the motivation for this hearing perhaps stemmed from previously expressed skepticism…
Veterans Philanthropy Exchange 2016 National Annual Convening
Members of the Philanthropy-Joining Forces Impact Pledge and the Veterans Philanthropy Exchange will gather for learning and sharing. Any funders supporting veterans and military families are encouraged to join this learning exchange.
This year’s meeting will provide a funders-only…
House & Senate Philanthropy Caucuses Reception
Join the Congressional Philanthropy Caucuses, staff, the Council on Foundations, and valued partners for a reception on Thursday, April 14 during Philanthropy Week in Washington 2016. This reception will celebrate and lift up the critical role of philanthropy in communities and the importance…
Advancing Rural Communities' Economic Success Agenda
Advancing Rural Communities' Economic Success Agenda
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Registration and Overview
Stephanie Powers, Senior Director for Policy and Partnerships, Council on Foundations
Janet Topolsky, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group
9:30…
Introducing “Successes of Philanthropy”
This is reprinted from an original post on Washington Monthly.
To view the “Successes of Philanthropy” series, kindly visit Washington Monthly.
Introducing “Successes of Philanthropy”
In America, more so than in other countries, philanthropies play a unique and important role of supporting…
Executives' Alliance Foundation Leaders "Ban the Box," Issue Call to Action for All U.S. Philanthropy Institutions to Adopt Fair Chance Hiring
Leaders from 42 foundations announced today that they have “banned the box” by adopting fair chance hiring policies or ensuring that questions about criminal convictions do not appear on applications for employment with their foundations. They also issued a challenge to all U.S. philanthropic…
Washington Snapshot - February 26, 2016
News from the Hill
This Week in Tax Reform...
Yesterday, the Brookings Institute held an event entitled Tax Policy in 2016: What’s New and What’s Next. Council Vice President for Public Policy Hadar Susskind attended this event, where keynote addresses were given by Ways and Means Chairman Kevin…
Washington Update LIVE!
Download the Presentation Slides
Attending Foundations on the Hill in April? Curious about how the fast-paced, animated, and often complex political environment can trickle down to influence your work? Wondering about whether tax reform will ever happen and, when it does, how these…
Recap of Winter Retreat for Foundation CEOs
Recap of Winter Retreat for Foundation CEOs
Executive Summary
Thank you for joining us in December as we gathered together in sunny San Diego to share best practices from the front lines of philanthropic leadership at the Council’s Winter Retreat for Foundation CEOs. When asked for one word…
The Global Goals in New York City
“If You Can Make It Here, You Can Make It Anywhere":
How the Sustainable Development Goals connect local challenges to worldwide efforts
There are significant challenges facing American communities today, including growing domestic inequality and increased poverty. In New York, members of the…
Washington Snapshot - February 19, 2016
News from the Hill
Congress was in recess this week, so updates from Capitol Hill have been relatively slow.
However, much of the attention in Washington has turned toward the marble columns of the building across the street—the Supreme Court of the United States. This week, DC remembers Supreme…
Summary of Requirements for Type I and Type III Supporting Organizations - A Proposed Rule by the Internal Revenue Service on 2/19/2016
On February 19, 2016, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations regarding the prohibition on certain contributions to Type I and Type III supporting organizations and the requirements for Type III supporting organizations.
The Council is helping to…
2016 Global Philanthropy Dinner - Uprooted Communities: Our Global Migration Challenge
2016 Global Philanthropy Dinner - Uprooted Communities: Our Global Migration Challenge
The 2016 Annual Global Philanthropy Dinner will provide a space for conference attendees to meet and connect before the full conference begins on Sunday. Dinner will feature a number of leading experts who will…
Quarterly Member Update: 2016 Q1
Members View the Recording and Slides
This Quarterly Member Update focuses on two major bodies of work. During the first portion of the update, conversation will focus on the Council’s public policy Guideposts, which are the framework for our policy work. These Guideposts have…
Washington Snapshot - February 12, 2016
News from the Hill
POTUS Sends FY 2017 Budget Proposal to Congress
On Tuesday, President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Proposal. The $4.1 trillion Budget sets forth the Administration’s spending and policy priorities for the coming year, including several provisions that have…
Heart & Soul Talks: How Storytelling Helps Foundations Build Better Communities
Storytelling is a powerful way to broadly engage a community and hear from voices that often go unheard. Hear how storytelling has brought residents together, bridged long-standing divides, and ultimately helped community foundations make positive, lasting, and meaningful impact. This free, 60-…