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.
Council Resources for Responding to COVID-19
Curated resources from the Council on Foundations that may be helpful for responding to COVID-19.
indicates this content is available to Council members only.
Philanthropy Exchange
COVID-19 Survivors Fund – Open Exchange
Fees on COVID-19 Funds – Open Exchange
COVID…
How Can We Make Money Available to Individuals in Need During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
Many private and corporate foundations and giving programs are grappling with how to quickly respond to those most in need in their community. This often means funding in new and different ways, including possibly making grants to individuals. Many corporate grantmakers are looking for ways to set…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Considers Third COVID-19 Bill
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
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot...
News from the Council
News from the Hill…
U.S. Government Action on COVID-19
Letter to Secretary Ross and U.S. Census Bureau
On August 5, 2020, the Council on Foundations joined more than 500 philanthropic leaders to urge Secretary Ross and the US Census Bureau to maintain their original plan to continue counting households through the end of October and ensure…
Top Foundations Pledge Flexible Funding to Grantees in Wake of COVID-19 Crisis
New York, March 19, 2020 — More than 40 major US-based and international foundations announced today to pledge their commitment to more flexible funding to help grantee partners meet emergency needs prompted by the COVID-19 crisis. Signatories include The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation,…
A Call to Action: Philanthropy's Commitment During COVID-19
Join the 806 Organizations who have Signed the Pledge!
The rapid spread of COVID-19 has created a global health and economic crisis that is testing every one of us. We know that the shocks of this “new normal” are severe and unanticipated for our sector and grantee partners.
As leaders in…
How Philanthropy Can Best Support Nonprofits in a Pandemic
COVID-19 has rocked the United States and threatened the safety, health, and financial security of our communities and the nonprofits that support them. As communities across the US experience the impact of this pandemic to varying degrees, they are also facing different needs. Some, in…
Washington Snapshot: Coronavirus Emergency Legislation in Negotiation
The Coronavirus - THE MORE YOU KNOW
World Health Organization: Situation Dashboard
How Philanthropy Can Respond:
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
NEW! Council on Foundations:
COVID-19 Resource Hub
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot...
News from the Council
News from the Hill…
Funder to Funder Call: Sharing Approaches to COVID-19 Community Response
View the slides
The Council on Foundations hosted a Funder to Funder Call: Sharing Approaches to COVID-19 Community Response on Thursday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. ET | 11:00 a.m. PT to discuss the emerging challenges of the coronavirus and philanthropy’s response.
This conversation…
COVID-19 Resource Hub
As COVID-19 continues throughout the world and in the United States, the Council remains committed to helping our members and the philanthropic sector respond to this global health pandemic. We continue to update this Hub with resources from our team and partners across philanthropy and the…
Washington Snapshot: Senate passed $8.3 billion emergency coronavirus funding package
The Coronavirus - THE MORE YOU KNOW
For Global Updates: World Health Organization
How Philanthropy Can Respond: Center for Disaster Philanthropy
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot...
The White House
House Ways and Means Committee
Department of the Interior
Department of Commerce…
Council News & Announcements Regarding COVID-19
Council Commitments during COVID-19
Updated February 24, 2021
This is an important time to leverage our leadership voice on behalf of our sector. Alongside partner philanthropy networks, we’ve lifted our voice throughout the pandemic in calls to action around policy and philanthropic practice,…
External Resources for Responding to COVID-19
Updated November 9, 2021
Access Council legal, FAQs, public policy resources and more on the Council Resources for Responding to COVID-19 page.
Reopening the Workplace
Cushman & Wakefield – Recovery Readiness: A How-To Guide for Reopening Your Workplace
Organizational Operations…
Connecting Community Foundations with the SDGs (Europe)
External Resource
The European Community Foundation Initiative report provides in-depth examples of community foundations throughout Europe adopting the SDGs and how they can work towards achieving the goals.
SDG Partnerships Agenda 2030: Accelerating Progress
External Resource
Philanthropy University, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and GSVlabs published a new report on the SDGs and how the various sectors, including philanthropy, can drive progress towards achieving the SDGs.
FOTH Congressional Reception
The FOTH Congressional Reception is being hosted by the Council on Foundations for friends of the philanthropic sector in Congress, FOTH attendees and philanthropic colleagues in Washington. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) and Rep. George Holding (R-NC) will be recognized for their legislative leadership…