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.
Participate in the next CCSF Study of Private and Community Foundations
Publication, Research
Are you a fiduciary that oversees an endowment at a Private or Community Foundation?
The Council on Foundations is proud to partner again with the Commonfund Institute on this year's Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations (CCSF),…
New Executive Leaders Roundtable - April 2023
Building Common Ground in Community Philanthropy
Foundation leaders are key levers of change: uniquely positioned to advance change in their organizations, their communities and the broader field. The Council is excited to offer this program to provide support to leaders who are relatively…
Philanthropy's Response to 2023 Spring Tornadoes
Overview
Severe storms and tornadoes ripped through the Southeast causing dozens of injuries and at least 26 deaths in late March, and in early April, continued to wreck devastation across a broad swath of the country from Arkansas to Delaware. To date, more than 50 people have lost…
Public Policy Action Network - June 2023 Meeting
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
Better Stories, Better Language: A New Voice for Philanthropy
The Council on Foundations and the Center for Public Interest Communications have recently completed a scan of the dominant narratives around foundations. Our findings, in short: We need better stories and better language if we really want to lift up the positive impact of our work, push back…
Public Policy Action Network - March 2023 Meeting
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
Trends in Philanthropy Tech: Findings from 2022 Survey of Grantmakers
Results are in from the 2022 State of Philanthropy Tech survey, conducted every two years by Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG). Join this interactive call to explore key findings and trends.
This is the only comprehensive survey on the current state of technology in…
Philanthropy's Response to the Turkey and Syria Earthquake
Overview
More than 47,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands more injured after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey (Türkiye) and Syria, resulting in the deadliest earthquake to hit the region in over two decades. A large population of people had already been…
Closing the Wealth Gap to Strengthen American Communities
Every day, more than 50 million Americans live in or near financial crisis, threatening to undercut a future of shared prosperity, greater opportunity, and increased equity. How can funders effectively address this pervasive issue?
In this webinar, we partner with Arabella Advisors to …
2022 Year in Review: Looking Within and Acting Together
At home and across the country, the Council community flourished in 2022. Check out the graphic below to see the metrics behind the impact, and read the full Year in Review, including a letter from our President and CEO, to learn more.
Download the Year in Review.
Philanthropy's Response to California's Storms
Overview
California experienced one of the state's most devastating disasters this January when historic storms devastated a large portion of the state, leaving at least 20 people dead. There have been 9 atmospheric rivers, bringing massive flooding, tornado-like winds, dangerous mudslides, and…
From Polarization to Collaboration: Philanthropy’s Role in Bridging Differences
To do our work well and uphold our promise to society, leaders in philanthropy must try to foster a sense of shared humanity, build common ground, and work collaboratively for the greater good. But how can we do that at a time of incredible division and mistrust? Join us for a…
Webinar: Senior Philanthropic Leaders Meeting with Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona
Executive leadership of the Council on Foundations and Hispanics in Philanthropy hosted this kick-off dialogue with foundation executives and senior staff with the U.S. Secretary of Education, Dr. Miguel Cardona. Ulcca Joshi Hansen, Co-Interim Executive Director of Grantmakers for Education…
Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort
Meet the 2024 Cohort
See the members of the 2024 Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort
Are you looking for a supportive community of funders to help you build constructive dialogue and understanding across differences? You’ll get just that with the Bridging Differences Leadership…
Building Common Ground
To uphold our promise to society, philanthropy must be a leader in seeing our shared humanity and working together for the greater good. Positive change doesn’t always come easily, especially in times of division and mistrust. It often requires action from a broad coalition of people and groups who…
Philanthropy Supporting Ukraine - January 2023
Since February 24, 2022, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians affected by the Russian war have sought safety in Canada and the United States. The fourth funder-only roundtable series will focus on how Canadian and U.S. governments, alongside private and community foundations, have welcomed and…