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.
2022 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report
Publication, Research
The 2022 Grantmaker Salary and Benefit report is updated with the most recent sector data. Information is presented by grantmaker type, foundation type, asset size, and geographic location. Additionally, 2022 report contents include:
Salary data on 10,304 full-time staff from 1,003…
The State of Global Giving by U.S. Foundations: 2022 Edition
Publication, Toolkit
For 25 years, the Council on Foundations and Candid have partnered on studies of globally focused giving by U.S. foundations. The new edition of The State of Global Giving by U.S. Foundations dives into 2016-2019 data to provide the latest perspective on how the nation’s foundations are supporting…
Philanthropy's Response to Hurricane Fiona
Overview
Heavy rains have swept Guadeloupe, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, leading to massive flooding, damage and destruction. Hurricane Fiona, a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of more than 111 mph, is continuing to wreak havoc throughout the Caribbean. Nearly 3.1 million…
Grantmaker Ethics and Accountability
Philanthropy has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years in terms of the sources of wealth underlying charitable gifts, the allocation of resources, and its decision-making processes. More than ever, those engaged in philanthropy need an ethical orientation to inform their work.
Combining…
PhilEx Live: Foundation Podcasts Lessons Learned
Join peers from across the country in a discussion focused on:
Why did your foundation choose to launch a podcast?
What are some tactics a foundation can use to grow its podcast audience?
How does your team select podcast interviewees and how often do you release new episodes?
What…
Leading Locally 2023
The Conference
Leading Locally was an informative, engaging, and energizing event where attendees developed practical skills and connected with peers on the issues that matter to our work. Here's a look back at some exciting moments from our time together.
Conference Photos
Leading Locally…
Public Policy Action Network - November 2022 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…
Public Policy Action Network - October 2022 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…
Public Policy Action Network - September 2022 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…
Philanthropy's Response to Jackson Water Crisis
Overview
Heavy rain led to severe flooding in Jackson, Mississippi, which resulted in the damage of a major water treatment plant. The city's pipes are running dry or likely chemically contaminated, leaving thousands of residents without clean tap water. Jackson had already been under a…
Philanthropy's Role in Realizing the Localization Agenda
After the outbreak of COVID-19, philanthropic organizations across the world committed to increased flexibility and trust with nonprofit partners. With new data showing only a 1 percentage point increase in US foundation grants going directly to organizations in other countries since…
Philanthropy's Response to Pakistan Floods
Overview
As of late August 2022, Pakistan has been hit with monsoon rains leading to flooding and landslides that have killed over 1,000 people and impacted millions. Thousands of livestock have been killed as well, a critical source of sustenance and income generation for many families. Over…
2021 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 2021 CCSF studies 231 private and community foundations that represent $119.7 billion in assets. Topics covered include:
Returns and Investment Objectives
Asset…
Webinar Recording: Rules of Advocacy and Lobbying for Grantmakers
It is easy to get hung up on what you think you cannot do when engaging with policymakers. The good news is, you can do more than you may think!
Though the law varies among different types of foundations, all foundation types can engage in advocacy! The Council on Foundations Legal…
Rules of Advocacy and Lobbying for Grantmakers
Recording
Members, access for free
Nonmembers, purchase in store
It is easy to get hung up on what you think you cannot do when engaging with policymakers. The good news is, you can do more than you may think!
Though the law varies among different types of foundations, all foundation types can engage in…
Career Pathways Alumni Spotlight: Exploring Knowledge Work in Today’s Philanthropy
Career Pathways is the Council on Foundation’s executive leadership development program with a primary goal to promote diversity among decision makers in the field. The Career Pathways Alumni network is composed of stellar executive leaders committed to advancing equity in the sector. This…