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FEATURED EVENT
Global Grantmaking Essentials
Practical Solutions for Foundation Staff Making Grants Abroad
October 9, 10, 16, 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…
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…
Coming Together, Not Apart
Publication, Research
Coming Together, Not Apart: How Philanthropy Supports Connection in a Time of Dangerous Division is the first of three Council on Foundations publications exploring philanthropy's involvement in developing the heartset, mindset, and skillset to lead collaboratively across differences. It dives deep…
Fearless Foundation Update: What does it mean for foundations and charitable organizations?
The Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation announced a settlement last week with the American Alliance for Equal Rights and will end its grant program for Black female entrepreneurs, which AAER claimed was racially discriminatory in its suit, filed last August. The most recent ruling before the…
As Fearless Foundation Settles Case, Council on Foundations, Independent Sector Encourage Funders to Continue Giving in Line With Values
WASHINGTON – The Fearless Fund and Fearless Foundation announced a settlement yesterday with the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) and will end its Fearless Strivers Grant Contest that was targeted in a racial discrimination lawsuit by AAER. The settlement does not restrict any charitable…
2023 Council on Foundations - Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations (CCSF)
Publication, Research
The CCSF Study is the field’s most comprehensive and authoritative study on investment and governance policies and practices. The 2023 CCSF studies 291 private and community foundations that represent $126 billion in assets. Topics covered include:
Returns and Investment Objectives
Asset…
AAER v. Fearless Foundation Settlement Update
On September 11, the parties in American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) v. Fearless Foundation announced a settlement, resulting in the case’s dismissal in the federal district court where it had been pending for more than a year. At issue was the legality of the Fearless Strivers grant program,…
Foundations’ Endowed Portfolios Produced Higher 2023 Returns, Rebounding from 2022 Lows, Council on Foundations-Commonfund Study Finds
WASHINGTON - In the improved market environment of 2023, average annual returns on endowed funds bounced back from the previous year for the 291 foundations surveyed in the annual Council on Foundations–Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations® (…
DEI & Legal Office Hour
During this session, participants will engage in a Q&A discussion with Council on Foundations Director of Legal Resources Ben McDearmon, Staff Counsel Remy Barnwell, and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Yoo-Jin Kang, to address DEI and legal questions in the wake of the Fearless…
DEI Roundtable: Fostering Staff Wellbeing: Equity-Driven Policies
In our last session, we will examine how to create and implement policies that prioritize staff well-being with a focus on equity and inclusion. Operationalizing DEI means embedding these values into the very policies and practices that support staff, ensuring a healthy and supportive work…
DEI Roundtable: Re-Imagining Power in Philanthropy: Building and Sharing Power with our Board, Staff, and Communities
This roundtable will explore how to reimagine and redistribute power within philanthropic organizations to foster more equitable decision-making processes. Operationalizing DEI requires a fundamental shift in how power is held and shared, ensuring that diverse voices are included in shaping…
DEI Roundtable: Self & Community Care for DEI Practitioners: Strategies for Resilience and Overcoming Resistance
This session addresses the critical role of self and community care in sustaining DEI work. By prioritizing the well-being of practitioners, we create a foundation for resilience and long-term engagement. Operationalizing DEI begins with ensuring that those leading these efforts are equipped to…
Coming Together, Not Apart - References
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See Kleinfeld, R. (2023). “Polarization, Democracy, and Political Violence in the United States: What the Research Says.” Working Paper. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. September 5. Toxic polarization differs from ideological polarization—where individuals…
Looking to 2025: What Does a New Congress Mean for Philanthropy?
In January the 119th Congress will be sworn in and take on the work of choosing leadership for the House and Senate, as well as for each of the 40+ Committees that make up Congress. Join this webinar to learn about the dynamics of the new Congress and how we expect the shifting policy environment…
Looking to 2025: Making Sense of the Elections
No matter who wins, this November’s election will alter dynamics in Washington, D.C. Amy Walter, a national political analyst and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, will break down what the election results could mean for your work and for the U.S. broadly. Then, hear from foundation…
Looking to 2025: What's at Stake?
As you know, most policy issues impacting philanthropy are tax policy issues. In December 2025, key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire, kicking off a race to develop new tax legislation. Even before we know the results of the 2024 election, Congressional committees and…