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.
Sample Docket Write-up of Program Goals and Strategies
Sample Document
This sample docket write-up allows you to customize your program goal and strategies.
A Colleague's Perspective on Trustee Orientation
External Resource
By Anne H. Morgan
Becoming a trustee of a family foundation can be a complex, confusing, and confounding experience. Suddenly you are thrust into a room full of persons whom you thought you knew, but now they are all in different roles. Your favorite aunt, who has always seemed so demure and self…
A Colleague's Perspective on Mission and Vision Statements
Fundamentals
This perspective offered by William Graustein of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund in 2013 provides useful context on creating your own foundation's mission and vision statements.
When you get down to it, the reason a charitable foundation exists is to change the world or, at least…
Closing Documents Checklist
Sample Document
As you prepare to close out grants, this customizable checklist can help ensure that you've received the appropriate documents from grantees.
Sample Grant Closing Letter
Sample Document
You can send this customizable sample closing letter to grantees upon the conclusion of their grant.
Sample Grant Close-Out Form
Sample Document
This sample grant close-out form can help you wrap up outstanding grants.
Providing Relief in Times of Disaster - Gifts from a Public Charity
Legal Compliance Guidance
Grants to Public Charities from a Public Charity
Unless from a donor-advised fund, disaster relief grants to domestic section 501(c) (3) public charities do not present special issues.
Grants from a Donor Advised Fund
Disaster relief aid can be provided through a donor advised fund…
Providing Relief in Times of Disaster - Matching Gifts
Legal Compliance Guidance
Public foundations, community foundations and corporate giving programs may establish a matching gifts program that will match disaster relief gifts made by employees or other donors living in the U.S. or anywhere in the world, provided the grantees are public charities based in the U.S., and gifts…
The Savvy CEO
Publication
The role of the foundation CEO is pivotal to the success of a foundation’s goals. Even at foundations without staff, the tasks of the CEO do not disappear, but rather are carried out by board members. In this publication, we explore some of the critical issues and challenges that foundation CEOs…
Principles of Accountability for International Philanthropy
Publication
While cross-border philanthropy has much in common with domestic giving within a country, it also differs in significant and challenging ways. Language differences, communication across vast distances, unfamiliar cultural values and perspectives, multiple legal systems, and disparate accounting…
Sample Foreign Grant Expenditure Responsibility Letter
Sample Document
Sample foreign grant expenditure responsibility letter.
This sample document is being provided for informational purposes and is not to be shared without the permission of the Council on Foundations. Use of the sample document does not create an attorney-client relationship, and the information…
Sample Expenditure Responsibility Grant Agreement
Sample Document
Editable grant agreement for grants requiring expenditure responsibility.
This sample document is being provided for informational purposes and is not to be shared without the permission of the Council on Foundations. Use of the sample document does not create an attorney-client relationship…
Should CEOs Be on the Board?
Fundamentals
This briefing will help your board consider three main questions: what are the advantages and limitations of CEOs on boards? If the CEO is on the board, should they have full voting rights? How do your colleagues approach this decision?
What is the Best Size for Your Board?
Fundamentals
This article will help your board consider three main questions:
What are the advantages and limitations of large versus small boards?
What size will help us best accomplish our mission?
How do our colleagues approach this question?
Although board size varies significantly among different…