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FEATURED EVENT
Global Grantmaking Essentials
Practical Solutions for Foundation Staff Making Grants Abroad
October 9, 10, 16, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Virtual
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.
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…
August Recess 2024 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:
Highlight the 75th anniversary of the Council on Foundations and highlights of the 40th anniversary of the Distinguished Service Award and the Scrivner Award;
Feature the State of the Council address from…
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…
Maintaining a Commitment to Equitable Giving Strategies Amid Legal Challenges
How can philanthropic organizations maintain a commitment to race-conscious and identity-based giving strategies in an evolving legal landscape?
Join us to explore the practical steps you can take to maintain your foundation’s commitment to race-conscious and identity-based programs. With…
Considerations for Working With 501(c)(3) NIL Collectives
Legal Compliance Guidance
More than 120 “NIL collectives” have been established in the U.S., many of them as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, to raise funds and enter into agreements that compensate student-athletes at specific higher-education institutions in exchange for using the student-athlete's name,…
Philanthropy's Response to 2024 US Storms
Overview
Throughout the United States, severe weather events are expected throughout the year. However, unusually warm temperatures have caused increased storm systems, often resulting in catastrophic severe weather events. This resource page will frequently be updated as the impact of these…
New Bills Raise Concerns for Philanthropy
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On May 15, the House Ways and Means Committee held a mark up to consider five bills that would create new transparency and disclosure requirements for tax-exempt organizations, as well as increase penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of…
Leading Locally 2025
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Philanthropy's Response to the Haiti Humanitarian Crisis
Overview
Violence by groups armed with mostly American firearms has intensified in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, resulting in the internal displacement of 362,00 people, with nearly 50,000 people displaced since the beginning of the year. Due to the level of violence and…
Philanthropy's Response to the Taiwan Eathquake
Overview
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan causing massive landslides and destroying buildings and roads, causing at least 10 deaths. Despite being the most powerful earthquake in over 25 years, Taiwan's preventative measures and earthquake preparedness helped avoid mass casualties and…
Philanthropy's New Voice: Building Trust With Deeper Stories and Clear Language
Publication, Research
United States foundations are an essential element of America’s social sector, supporting causes from public libraries to groundbreaking research, to new approaches to building a more equitable world. But despite their reach, foundations have an identity problem. From small towns to Washington, D.C…
To Help Bridge Differences, Philanthropy Should Invest in Strong Institutions
This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?
Institutions are the vehicles through which we negotiate our differences. These days,…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - October Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or…
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