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.
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: 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
Table of contents:
Part 1 | Part 2
Part 1 of 3:
How Philanthropy Supports Connection in a Time of Dangerous Division
See Kleinfeld, R. (2023). “Polarization, Democracy, and Political Violence in the United States: What the Research Says.” Working Paper. Carnegie Endowment for International…
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
The 2025 Election results will alter dynamics in Washington, D.C. National political analyst and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report, Amy Walter, breaks down what the election results could mean for your work and for the U.S. broadly. In addition, government affairs experts provide…
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…
Meet the Council Expert! Q&A with Yoo-Jin Kang, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
Yoo-Jin considers herself bi-coastal with roots in the Pacific Northwest and the D.C./DMV area. In addition to her work with the Council, she’s currently working towards a Master’s degree in Public Health at UC Berkeley. Her focus is on how racism impacts health, especially in the workplace. She…
2024 Advocacy Packet
Community Foundation Resources
Find resources for private foundations instead.
This packet contains what you need to set up, prep for, and attend a meeting with your Member of Congress and/or their staff. We’ve included resources about key legislation, data about the sector, and template letters…
August Recess 2024 - Additional Resources
Foundations work on a variety of issues, only some covered by this packet. Below, find additional resources on policy issues the Council has been working on this Congress. You may find them helpful to prep your team, bring to a meeting, or share with an office after the fact.
Understanding…
2024 UN General Assembly Philanthropic Side-Events
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2024 Annual Member Meeting
Join us for the Council's Annual Member Meeting. The virtual Member Meeting will:
Feature the State of the Council address from Kathleen Enright, President and CEO, Council on Foundations;
Approve nominations for the Board of Directors.
In advance, please also register to participate in the…
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…