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.
Washington Snapshot: DOJ Report on Anti-Christian Bias
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) sent letters to the legal counsels at three nonprofit organizations accused of accepting money from allies of the Chinese Communist Party. Plus, Ways and Means letters to nonprofits, Legal Basics for Community Foundations, GSB Survey…
Seattle Art Museum
Still have some time to explore? Head over to the Seattle Art Museum, the leading visual arts institution in the Pacific Northwest and a must-see while you're in the city. Show your conference badge at the ticketing desk and receive 50% off one ticket.
Grab and Go Lunch
Before you go, grab a boxed lunch to enjoy as you head home. Thank you for joining us at Building Together 2026!
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: Belonging, a Bridge to Possibility
What becomes possible when people feel seen and valued? And how can belonging be cultivated in unexpected places—both in practice, and in culture? Together, we’ll discuss what a more connected society could look like, and what kind of commitment it will take to build.Civic Science Talk: Sohad…
Ask Me Anything Breakfast Roundtables
Bring your questions to continue and deepen conversations with our partners over breakfast. Chat with The Colossian Forum, Greater Good Science Center, Othering and Belonging Institute, Over Zero, Resetting the Table, and Trust for Public Land.
Breakfast Conversation: Investing Effectively in Connection Across Difference
Join an interactive breakfast session about how to effectively invest in connection across difference at the local, regional, and national levels. Join funders who are part of the New Pluralists collaborative who will provide context from their five years of investing together in strategies that…
Movie Screening: Prime Minister
We invite you to join us for an evening movie screening of Prime Minister. The Right Honorable Dame Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister, led her nation through unprecedented challenges, implemented bold policies, and became the second leader in history to give birth in office, all…
Evening Activities: Games, Arts, and Take a Poem, Leave a Poem, Write a Poem, Read a Poem
Stop by our conference living room lounge to enjoy some relaxed time with fellow attendees. Essential Partners will host a poetry activity, and there will be games available. Want to get artistic? You can work on our paint-by-number mural (a Council conference favorite!) or bring your own craft.
CEO and Trustee Reception
Join the Council’s CEO and Board for light refreshments and good conversation during this invite-only event.Sponsored by:
Dine-Arounds
Want to explore the city and get to know fellow attendees over delicious food and great conversation? Join a dine-around! These small group gatherings offer opportunities to connect over dinner at local restaurants.Attendees, view the list of available dine-arounds and RSVP by adding it to your…
Workshop: Over Zero
Building Societal Resilience to Political and Identity-Based Violence What it is: Drawing from recent case studies, this workshop will support participants in building societal resilience to political and identity-based violence through communications, programmatic strategy, as well as network…
Workshop: Resetting the Table
Building a Culture of Dialogue Across DifferenceWhat it is: A workshop to build your capacity to explore disagreements while strengthening relationships, trust, learning, and collaboration.What you’ll learn:Practice two core skills for difficult conversations across diverse backgrounds and…
Workshop: Othering & Belonging Institute
Long Bridges: How We Rehumanize One Another Across Big Divides What it is: This interactive workshop will help participants understand, develop, and implement innovative strategies through which organizations can meaningfully bridge "long" racial, ideological, or urban-rural divides. The…
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…