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FEATURED EVENT
Practice and Purpose of Policy
A Training for Community Foundation Leaders
July 30 and August 6, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Virtual
Public Foundations
Public foundations are grantmaking public charities that gain their funds from a variety of sources, which may include foundations, individuals, corporations, or public entities. Public foundations may engage in fundraising, and may seek broad public financial support. They may or may not have endowments. There is no legal definition of a public foundation, but most dedicate a significant portion of their annual budgets to grantmaking. Most community foundations are also grantmaking public charities.
Since public foundations may be defined in different ways, and there is no official IRS or legal definition of public foundations, it is difficult to arrive at statistics that are fully representative of the field.
Below is everything on our site for public foundations. We strongly recommend that you use the navigation or our search feature to find what you're looking for on our site. Please also visit cof.org/programs-services/public-grantmaking-charities for curated public foundation content.
IRS Search Tool: Select Check
External Resource
Grantmakers searching for more detailed information about the charitable status of their potential grantees may find the answers they need in the IRS Select Check tool.
This IRS online search tool allows the user to:
(1) search the IRS public charity list, known as IRS Publication 78, for data to…
Career Pathways
About the Career Pathways Program
Career Pathways, founded by the Council on Foundations in 2010, is a selective leadership development program that cultivates bold, representative, and inclusive decision-makers to lead the philanthropic sector. The program is rigorous, highly personal, and built…
Summary of 11th Circuit Ruling in American Alliance for Equal Rights v. Fearless Fund
Background
On August 2, 2023, American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) filed a complaint against Fearless Fund claiming their Fearless Striver Grant Contest grant program violates Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866. According to the official rules listed on Fearless Fund’s website, the…
Considerations for Working With 501(c)(3) NIL Collectives
Legal Compliance Guidance
More than 120 “NIL collectives” have been established in the U.S., many of them as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, to raise funds and enter into agreements that compensate student-athletes at specific higher-education institutions in exchange for using the student-athlete's name,…
Philanthropy's Response to 2024 US Storms
Overview
Throughout the United States, severe weather events are expected throughout the year. However, unusually warm temperatures have caused increased storm systems, often resulting in catastrophic severe weather events. This resource page will frequently be updated as the impact of these…
New Bills Raise Concerns for Philanthropy
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On May 15, the House Ways and Means Committee held a mark up to consider five bills that would create new transparency and disclosure requirements for tax-exempt organizations, as well as increase penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information. The Committee approved all five…
Philanthropy's Response to the Haiti Humanitarian Crisis
Overview
Violence by groups armed with mostly American firearms has intensified in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, resulting in the internal displacement of 362,00 people, with nearly 50,000 people displaced since the beginning of the year. Due to the level of violence and insecurity, reduced…
Philanthropy's Response to the Taiwan Eathquake
Overview
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan causing massive landslides and destroying buildings and roads, causing at least 10 deaths. Despite being the most powerful earthquake in over 25 years, Taiwan's preventative measures and earthquake preparedness helped avoid mass casualties and…
Philanthropy's New Voice: Building Trust With Deeper Stories and Clear Language
Publication, Research
United States foundations are an essential element of America’s social sector, supporting causes from public libraries to groundbreaking research, to new approaches to building a more equitable world. But despite their reach, foundations have an identity problem. From small towns to Washington, D.C…
To Help Bridge Differences, Philanthropy Should Invest in Strong Institutions
This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?
Institutions are the vehicles through which we negotiate our differences. These days, though,…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - October Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - September Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - August Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - July Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - June Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine…