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.
NCG's 2014 New Grantmakers Institute
Register Today
Are you new to philanthropy and unsure about the due diligence process for making a successful grant? Have you been in the field for several years, but are still unclear on the legal aspects of grantmaking or how to spot red flags in grantee financial statements? If you answered "yes…
Leading Forward: Innovations in Philanthropy Webinar Series
Next month, the Council on Foundations and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are kicking off a new webinar series on issues affecting philanthropy at a national level. Titled Leading Forward: Innovations in Philanthropy, the webinars will focus on three topics that are contributing to the…
Washington Snapshot - March 14, 2014
Camp Bill Sets Critical Precedent
Stakeholders in every sector—including the Council—continue to delve into House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp’s (R-MI-4) Tax Reform Act of 2014 to get to the bottom of its wide-reaching implications.
As we’ve been commenting since the bill’s…
Approaches to Place-Based Philanthropy
Communities across the country are experiencing rapid demographic shifts, and foundations that use place-based giving strategies must adapt their grantmaking to recognize these changes. Join us in a discussion about the multiple ways foundations define place-based philanthropy, its potential…
Blurred Lines and New Approaches to Working with Business, Nonprofits, and Government
As communities are being asked to address growing social challenges with diminishing resources, the field of philanthropy is placing increasing emphasis on collaboration with businesses, nonprofits, and government in its work for the common good. The webinar will examine the dynamic role of…
Speaker Highlights
Speaker Highlights
Kate Ahern, Vice President of Social Innovation, Case Foundation
Ahern oversees a portfolio of activities, including the foundation’s impact investing work and its Be Fearless initiative. She also oversees corporate pro bono campaign A Billion + Change. In addition, she…
Washington Snapshot - March 7, 2014
Philanthropy Leaders Converge on D.C. for Philanthropy Week
This was an eventful week at the intersection of philanthropy and public policy! Over 200 philanthropic leaders gathered in D.C. for the first annual Philanthropy Week in Washington, President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2015 Budget…
3 Ways to Bring Philanthropy Week to Your Community
Right now, over 200 leaders from across the philanthropic sector are uniting in Washington, D.C. to tell their lawmakers that thriving philanthropy builds thriving communities. As lawmakers contemplate comprehensive tax reform, individual changes to the tax code and the President’s FY2015 budget,…
President's Budget Proposes Key Domestic Investments
President Obama unveiled his Fiscal Year 2015 Budget yesterday, which sets forth the Administration’s spending and policy priorities for the coming year. The Budget presents a fiscal plan oriented around three White House priorities: accelerating economic growth, expanding opportunity for all…
Washington Snapshot - February 28, 2014
Chairman Camp Releases Tax Reform Proposal
Dozens of provisions impact tax-exempt organizations
As we let our readers know in a Washington Snapshot Breaking News alert on Wednesday, House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI-4) released his long-awaited comprehensive tax reform bill this week.…
Council on Foundations, Sector Leaders Join Forces Philanthropy Week in Washington March 3-7, 2014
As President Obama presents his proposed budget and as Congress considers comprehensive tax reform, proposed policy changes could have a significant – and potentially harmful – impact on philanthropy’s effectiveness. That’s why the Council on Foundations is pleased to welcome nearly 150 leaders…
Ways and Means Committee Chair Releases Tax Plan
This afternoon Congressman Dave Camp (R-MI-4), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, released a comprehensive plan to reform the individual and corporate tax codes. Find details of the proposed bill here:
Executive Summary
Summary of Bill
Legislative Language
Joint Committee on Taxation…
Washington Snapshot - February 21, 2014
BREAKING: Senate Philanthropy Caucus Briefing During Philanthropy Week
The Council on Foundations is pleased to report that Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Richard Burr (R-NC) will be chairing the Senate Philanthropy Caucus for the 113th Congress.
During Philanthropy Week in Washington, March 3rd…
Field Comment Period Extended for Proposed Revisions to National Standards
The Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB) announces an extension to the public comment period for the Proposed Revised National Standards. These revisions are being made as part of a five-year review cycle and will remain open to public comment until February 26, 2014.
The…
Invitation to Participate in Survey of Professional Development Needs
Tell Us About Your Professional Development Needs
The Council on Foundations is pleased to invite you to participate in a national study about professional development for nonprofit and philanthropic professionals and board members. The study is sponsored by the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for…
2014 Annual Conference Call for Sessions
Call for Sessions
Be a part of the 2014 Annual Conference: Philanthropy Exchange!
The Council is issuing a Call for Sessions to leading civil and social innovators. We are looking to you for well-developed sessions that offer diverse perspectives, concrete solutions, and fresh insights…