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. 

Workshop: Horizons Project

Our Shared Future: Integrating Approaches to Social Change What it is: In this workshop we will learn about the many networks and approaches working towards social change; leaning into different frameworks that surface natural tensions, and uncovering the mindsets needed to identify and…

Workshop: Trust for Public Land

Building Communities of Belonging in Public Spaces What it is: An interactive workshop that will explore best practices in community engagement in public spaces (parks, libraries, or other community gathering places) where democracy can thrive and bring people together across lines of…

Workshop: The Colossian Forum

Practicing Peace: Cultivating Emotional Maturity for Leading Across Difference What it is: Exhaustion, uncertainty, and conflict take a toll on every leader. Under pressure, we default to avoiding, appeasing, or pushing through—but these responses often leave us stuck. Emotional maturity…

Workshop: University of Chicago Forum For Free Inquiry & Expression

Free Expression and the Conditions for Transforming Disagreement for Better Collective Decision Making What it is: A workshop on how to harness disagreement and tension as catalysts for sharper thinking, stronger decisions, and more effective collective action. Free expression and healthy…

Workshop: Greater Good Science Center

Bridging to Belonging: Science to Practice What it is: A hands-on workshop where you'll learn and practice science-backed tools for supporting connection and creating spaces for belonging. We'll do a deep dive into the evidence and practices of belonging and explore how it can support the work…

Workshop: Essential Partners

Building Thriving Communities: Connecting the Cornerstones of Community to Catalyze Change What it is: A hands-on workshop where you’ll learn dialogic practices that help shift people from conflict to curiosity and, when leveraged at scale, build more resilient, hopeful, and cohesive…

Workshop: Constructive Dialogue Institute

Leading in Turbulent Times: Building Team Resilience Through Dialogue What it is: A hands-on workshop that explores how leaders at any level can use constructive dialogue skills to navigate and foster organizational resilience through divided times. Participants will learn and practice…

Coffee with Your Community: Donor Services

Gather during our afternoon break to connect with your peers.

Coffee with Your Community: Global Philanthropy

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Coffee with Your Community: Programs

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Break

Take this opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, visit our partner tables, browse our bookstore, enjoy a snack, or recharge in our Brain Break room.

Lunch with Practice Team

Connect with your Practice Team over lunch to reflect on what you’re learning, practice new skills, and consider take-home strategies relevant to your work.

Break

Take this opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, visit our partner tables, browse our bookstore, enjoy a snack, or recharge in our Brain Break room.

Plenary Session: Which Values Lead Toward Change?

What motivates us to build the heartset and mindset to bring communities across the country together? Join us to listen in on a conversation among faith leaders as they grapple with humbling questions about moral authority, what is truly within our power to change, and how we know if our work is…

Federal Policy Briefing

With shifts and pivots coming almost daily, we’ve been keeping an eye on the news out of Washington, D.C. and its impact on the charitable sector. This policy briefing will provide a space for the Council and foundation leaders to brief attendees on the latest policy changes and what they're…

Morning Run

Get your cardio in while enjoying the beauty of Seattle. All levels are welcome for this three-mile loop.
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