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. 

Coffee with Your Community: Corporate Foundations

Gather during our afternoon break to connect with fellow attendees from Corporate Foundations.

Lunch with Practice Team

Connect with your Practice Team over lunch to reflect on what you’re learning, practice new skills, and consider take-home strategies relevant to your work.

Puppy "Paws"

We are partnering with local rescue Motley Zoo Animal Rescue to bring loveable, huggable (and adoptable!) puppies to Building Together 2026. Stop by for a snuggle!

Puppy "Paws"

We are partnering with local rescue Motley Zoo Animal Rescue to bring loveable, huggable (and adoptable!) puppies to Building Together 2026. Stop by for a snuggle!

Break

Take this opportunity to connect with fellow attendees, visit our partner tables, browse our bookstore, enjoy a snack, or recharge in our Brain Break room.

Plenary Session: Meeting Conflict with Courage and Hope

Division continues to shape our politics, our communities, and even our sense of one another. In this plenary we’ll take a clear-eyed look at the stark challenges of our time—including the growing realities of political violence and extremism. Together, we’ll consider what it means to live in a…

Breakfast Meetup: 2026 Working Group

Working Group members are invited to enjoy time together over breakfast.

Breakfast Meetup: 2026 Host Committee

Host Committee members are invited to enjoy time together over breakfast.

Nature Wellness Walk

Start your day on the right foot and join us for a morning walk designed to help you connect with nature. Hosted by Trust for Public Land.

Registration Open

Registration Open

Registration Open

Registration Open

Breakfast

Start your morning with breakfast and connect with fellow attendees before the day begins.

Opening Night Reception and Concert

Kick off Building Together with a reception and concert, sponsored by the Gates Foundation. This one-night-only experience features RUB, a six-piece band bringing feel-good energy to Seattle’s music scene, along with KEXP’s own DJ Morgan.The evening is curated in partnership with iconic…

Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort Welcome Lounge

Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort members (2026) and alumni (2023, 2024, 2025) are invited to connect and relax in a casual setting. Stop by to say hello to Council staff and fellow cohort members throughout the afternoon. We will host a short program around 3:15 p.m. Light refreshments will…
Subscribe to Public Foundations