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.
Leveraging Equity to Defund Hate: Values-Aligned Philanthropy in Practice
Many of us know that the philanthropic community has a critical role to play in addressing the increase in hate and hate crimes, but it’s not easy to figure out how to tackle this work.
The Council on Foundations’ white paper, Values-Aligned Philanthropy: Foundations Resisting Hate and Extremism,…
2021 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report: Key Findings
Publication, Research
Drawing from data provided by 952 institutional responses, the 2021 GSB Key Findings highlights important human resource trends that are shaping the philanthropic sector. This year’s key findings feature the voices of human resources and operations leaders from community foundations,…
Career Pathways - 2026-27 Program
Career Pathways is rigorous, highly personal, and built exclusively for philanthropic professionals. The 2026-27 program will feature both in-person and virtual components.
Each participant becomes part of a small and mighty group of grantmakers who share, learn, and grow together—through open…
Washington Snapshot: Government Shutdown Averted: Debt Ceiling Looms
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
Government Shutdown Averted: Debt Ceiling Looms
IRS Release "Tax Tip" on Charitable Deduction
Child Tax Credit Sign-Up Period Extended to November 15
Congress Discusses Economic Impacts of COVID-19
What’s Happening…
Wallace Global Fund and MacArthur Foundation Briefing on Climate Movement and Systemic Racism
Please join us for an important conversation about the climate movement and systemic racism in the United States. We often hear that “durable” US climate policy requires bipartisan buy-in and agreement, but durable policy also requires a movement that can maintain and enhance a functioning…
2021 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report
Publication, Research
The Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report (GSB) provides salary, benefits, and diversity data for full-time staff at U.S. foundations to aid in budget planning and personnel practice benchmarking. Information is presented by grantmaker type, foundation type, asset size, and geographic location.…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Juggles Government Funding and Presidential Priorities
What You Need to Know About Public Policy This Week...
News From the Council
Congress Juggles Government Funding and Presidential Priorities
Operation Allies Welcome: Assisting Afghanistan Nationals' Resettlement in the U.S.
Child Tax Credit Sign-Up Deadline: October 15
Senate Confirms…
The Backstop: An Underused Tool for Overcoming the Chicken and Egg Challenge
Nonprofits and their funders know this challenge all too well—an organization has a great idea, so they begin to seek capital from funders or foundations. They hear the same answer regularly – “It sounds like a great idea. Come back to us after you’re further along.”
This presents a chicken and egg…
Council on Foundations Launches Values-Aligned Philanthropy Initiative
In response to a rise in anti-democratic extremism and hate groups in the U.S., the Council on Foundations (Council) today released Values-Aligned Philanthropy: Foundations Resisting Hate and Extremism. The report and accompanying online resource hub are part of the Council’s efforts to prevent…
Organizational Resources on Values-Aligned Philanthropy
External Resource
Amalgamated Foundation 'Hate is Not Charitable' Campaign: Sign-On Campaign for Foundations and Organizations to Pledge to End Hate Funding
Anti-Defamation League and Charles Koch Institute Report: Communities Overcoming Extremism — the After Charlottesville Project
Horizon Forum: What Do the…
2021 Annual Member Meeting
Thank you to all who joined us for the Council's Annual Member Meeting. The virtual Member Meeting included:
Keynote remarks from Tara McKenzie Sandercock of the Greensboro Community Foundation, winner of the Distinguished Service Award
Remarks and updates from the Board regarding our…
501(c)(3)s and Public Policy Violation: A Fresh Look at Doctrine
Bob Jones University recently announced that it will regain its tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status on March 1, 2017. The University lost its tax exemption more than 30 years ago in a landmark Supreme Court case, Bob Jones University v. United States, 461 U.S. 574 (1983), due…
GlobalGiving: Trump Is Right-And Wrong-About Section 230
Dive into Section 230 of the United States Communications Decency Act with GlobalGiving CEO Alix Guerrier, and discover why it matters to a nonprofit on a mission to accelerate community-led change—and you.
GlobalGiving: A Journey Into The Neutrality Paradox
When and how should digital platforms—designed to be open and democratic—take responsibility for the content they host, and when should they take a stance—departing from a position of neutrality? GlobalGiving is on a journey to explore these issues, and is inviting you to join the exploration.
Resources on the Rise of Hate Funding — Values-Aligned Philanthropy
External Resource
Atlanta Daily World: Major charity distances itself from donations to controversial groups
Fidelity and Schwab Ban Gifts From Donor-Advised Funds to NRA-Affiliated Charities
‘Hate Groups’ Received Millions From 351 Charities and Foundations, Chronicle Review Finds
Opinion: How Philanthropy Can…
Resources on Neutrality Paradox, Free Speech, and Related Issues — Values-Aligned Philanthropy
External Resource
501(c)(3)s and Public Policy Violation: A Fresh Look at Doctrine
Alliance Magazine: Should corporate philanthropy be neutral?
GlobalGiving: A Journey Into The Neutrality Paradox
GlobalGiving: Trump Is Right—And Wrong—About Section 230
Horizon Forum: What Do the Experts Say: The Free…