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.
COVID-19: Managing a Global Response
View the Recording
With COVID-19 there seem to be more questions than answers, particularly for funders who want to respond effectively and efficiently. The Council is a co-sponsor of the COVID-19 webinar series from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), which brings expert panelists together…
Career Pathways Alumni | Community Building Hour
The Council on Foundations’ Career Pathways program (CP) has strengthened and expanded the capacity of philanthropic professionals within the leadership pipeline who are considered, appointed, and retained in senior and executive philanthropic leadership positions. The Council is committed to…
Washington Snapshot: Analysis of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020
The Coronavirus - THE MORE YOU KNOW
World Health Organization: Situation Dashboard
How Philanthropy Can Respond:
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Council on Foundations:
COVID-19 Resource Hub
List of COVID-19 Response Funds
Council's Comprehensive Coronavirus Legislation Guide…
Career Pathways 2020 | December Community Building Hour
Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. This monthly community building hour will give the Career Pathways 2020 cohort a virtual opportunity to connect, reflect, share, and discuss a host of topics – from national issues to sector…
Career Pathways 2020 | September Community Building Hour
Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. This monthly community building hour will give Career Pathways 2020 cohort a virtual opportunity to connect, reflect, share, and discuss a host of topics – from national issues to sector solutions…
Career Pathways 2020 | August Community Building Hour
Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. This monthly community building hour will give the Career Pathways 2020 cohort a virtual opportunity to connect, reflect, share, and discuss a host of topics – from national issues to sector…
Career Pathways 2020 | June Community Building Hour
Due to COVID-19, all 2020 Career Pathways in-person programming has been deferred to 2021. This monthly community building hour will give Career Pathways 2020 cohort a virtual opportunity to connect, reflect, share, and discuss a host of topics – from national issues to sector solutions…
Increasing Giving During COVID-19: Thoughts for Philanthropy
In response to the COVID-19 health crisis and Philanthropy’s Commitment Pledge, funders around the globe have committed to loosening grant restrictions, converting grants to general operating support and more. However, many foundations have questions about if they should and can increase giving…
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (H.R. 7010)
External Resource
Bill #5 – Enacted June 5, 2020
Comprehensive Coronavirus Legislation Guide for the Charitable Sector
This is a summary of the fifth bill Congress passed to help with the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. This guide highlights the specific provisions of that bill that may impact the charitable…
European Philanthropy at the Nexus of Disability and the SDGs
External Resource
This publication, jointly developed by Fundación ONCE and Philea (formerly the European Foundation Centre), focuses on how the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals are serving as a framework for foundations to develop their action on disability inclusion. The publication includes key…
Washington Snapshot: The Senate passed The Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act of 2020
The Coronavirus - THE MORE YOU KNOW
World Health Organization: Situation Dashboard
How Philanthropy Can Respond:
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Council on Foundations:
COVID-19 Resource Hub
List of COVID-19 Response Funds
Council's Comprehensive Coronavirus Legislation Guide…
Our Country is Broken.
Our country is broken. The Covid-19 pandemic has laid bare the devastating disparities in our society. But these inequities are not new – they have existed and persisted for centuries. The systems and leaders we all depend on continue to fail us.
Black communities are under constant threat from…
Washington Snapshot: House Passed H.R. 7010 That Would Relax Restrictions on the Paycheck Protection Program
The Coronavirus - THE MORE YOU KNOW
World Health Organization: Situation Dashboard
How Philanthropy Can Respond:Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Council on Foundations:COVID-19 Resource Hub
List of COVID-19 Response Funds
Council's Comprehensive Coronavirus Legislation Guide
In This Week's…
How Foundations Are Shaping Policy During COVID-19
The philanthropic sector’s ability to influence public policy has been a pathway to significant social change in the United States. Using the current global crisis as a backdrop, this session will focus on a discussion of policy engagement through a health policy lens. Featuring…
Washington Snapshot: White House Officials Expected to Release Ideas Aimed at Helping the Recovery in Distressed Areas
The Coronavirus - THE MORE YOU KNOW
World Health Organization: Situation Dashboard
How Philanthropy Can Respond:
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Council on Foundations:
COVID-19 Resource Hub
List of COVID-19 Response Funds
Council's Comprehensive Coronavirus…
COVID-19: How Philanthropy Can Stand Up for Vulnerable Populations
View the Recording
With COVID-19 there seem to be more questions than answers, particularly for funders who want to respond effectively and efficiently. The Council is a co-sponsor of the COVID-19 webinar series from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP), which brings expert panelists together…