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.
Statement Condemning Violence at the Capitol
On January 6, 2021 at the United States Capitol we witnessed inexcusable acts of violence and criminal behavior as a predominantly white mob attempted to disrupt the rightful certification of the results of a democratic election. This is an unprecedented moment in modern American history and one…
Council on Foundations Holiday Schedule
Our offices will be closed for the holidays between December 24th and January 4th as we take time to relax with loved ones and prepare to face 2021 with renewed enthusiasm and focus.
We know you may have time-sensitive legal or membership questions as you close out 2020. To support you, Council…
2020 Membership Week Review: A Closer Look
The Council hosted a series of virtual events inspired by some of philanthropy’s most important challenges and opportunities in our first-ever inaugural Member Week (December 3-7th 2020). These free events prioritized the need for Council members to connect and share insights and inspiration for…
Leading Together 2021
This is not your typical year.
This is not your typical Zoom.
From June 14-17, foundation and philanthropic leaders came together to connect on critical issues, engage in transformative conversations, and build the trust needed to create real change.
Featured speakers…
Washington Snapshot: Congress' To Do List
Note: Snapshot will not be published while Congress has adjourned for Thanksgiving recess.
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot...
News from the Council
News from the Hill
Executive and Regulatory Affairs
Happening in the States
News from the Council
Nonprofit Community…
2020 Member Week - Ask Me Anything FAQs
What is the Philanthropy Exchange?
The Philanthropy Exchange is a peer-to-peer platform that connects Council members around shared interests, topics, or resources. The Exchange is a member-only benefit open to Council members and invited guests. To help you get started on the Exchange, here is a…
A Post Election Message from Kathleen Enright
The Council on Foundations joins all Americans in expecting a careful accounting of all votes and an expeditious and certain outcome in the 2020 Presidential election. Whatever the result, we are heartened by the historic turnout because a healthy democracy depends on robust participation…
New Nicaraguan Legislation Impacts Foreign Foundation Grantmaking
This page will be updated as new information is made available about these laws. Please bookmark it for future reference.
Last updated November 2, 2020.
On Thursday October 15, 2020, The Law for the Regulation of Foreign Agents, or Ley de Regulación de Agentes Extranjeros, was enacted…
Ask Me Anything with Kathleen Enright and Council Leaders
Do you have a question about the strategic direction of the Council? Curious how the team is managing in uncertain times? Or just want to get to know the team better? This is the time to ask us anything.
This event will take place on the Philanthropy Exchange, the Council’s peer-to-peer…
2020 Member Week - Member Hour
End the long work week with an hour of wellness and networking. The wellness activity will be a resiliency themed meditation led by our partners at Chill Anywhere. Following the meditation, we’ll play a fun trivia game to test your knowledge of recent events and host and a facilitated…
2020 Public Policy Summit - Sponsors
Sponsors
The Council would like to thank all of the sponsors for their support of the 2020 Public Policy Summit.
If you would like to learn more about sponosrship opportunities, contact Tara Cox at tara.cox@cof.org.
Gold Sponsors
The Heinz Endowments
The Heinz…
The Unrestricted Funding Dilemma: Advantages and Challenges to General Support Grants
Earlier this year, the Council on Foundations issued a COVID-19 Call to Action to its community of domestic and international funders, asking foundations to provide unrestricted funding to grantee organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This call to action prompted a timely discussion with…
2020 Annual Member Meeting
Keynote Speech with Fred Blackwell - Recording
Annual Member Meeting - Recording
The Annual Member Meeting is the kickoff event for Member Week. This year the Council will host a series of virtual events that will offer members the opportunity to…
Global Philanthropy Update - October 2020
With more than one million people lost to COVID-19, the world is in mourning and rightfully so. It is not only the people we have lost, but the progress that the world had been making in becoming a more equitable, healthy, peaceful, and prosperous place. Additionally, while COVID-19 has occupied…
Building Trust, Breaking Tradition: How Foundations Can More Effectively Respond in Times of Crisis
When the Council on Foundations published A Call to Action: Philanthropy’s Commitment during COVID-19 in March, the COVID-19 pandemic was in its early stages. Now, its impact has surpassed many of our worst fears, and an economic recession and long-standing racial injustices add to this moment of…