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.
2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report: Board Compensation Tables
Publication, Research
The 2024 Board Compensation Tables provide foundation board and staff with the tools they need to benchmark their board compensation policies and practices against peers in the field. This report contains data collected through the Council’s 2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey and presented…
2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report
Publication, Research
The 2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date data available on U.S. philanthropic sector salaries, benefits, and demographic details, with information presented by grantmaker type, foundation type, asset size, and geographic location. The 2024…
2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report Shows Turnover Down, Salary Increases Up in Wake of Pandemic, Historic Inflation
WASHINGTON - The Council on Foundations today announced the release of the 2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report (GSB), an annual analysis of key human resources trends that includes the most comprehensive data on the composition and compensation of U.S. foundations.
Among other key findings…
2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report: Key Findings
Research
The 2024 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Key Findings is an illustrated, three-page document highlighting important trends shaping the philanthropic sector. Also available as a free PDF, the 2024 GSB Key Findings is just a small fraction of the expansive dataset available in the 2024 GSB…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Our Enduring Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Philanthropy has a profound responsibility to champion the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). At the Council on Foundations, our commitment to DEI is integral to our mission. We provide foundations with essential tools and…
Coming Together, Not Apart
Publication
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 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…