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.
Building Trust in Community Through National-Local Collaboration
Across the nation, communities are facing a crisis of connection, with a 2023 survey revealing that 74% of Americans feel a sense of non-belonging in their local communities. In 2022-23, the Walmart Foundation funded the Belonging Innovation Lab, a program providing subgrants, training, and…
Sustained Collaboration Funders Convening
Hosted by Sustained Collaboration Network (SCN)
Funders have been coming together in communities across the country to collectively fund nonprofit collaboration in order to help nonprofits meet increased demand for services, achieve economies of scale, or navigate high-stakes executive…
Building the Durability of Detroit’s Youth-Serving Institutions
Something new is happening in Detroit. The local donor community recently launched the Michigan Central Station Children’s Endowment Initiative (MCSCEI) to ensure that the most critical youth-serving institutions are set up to support the community for the long haul. Ten nonprofit agencies will…
Building Strong Communities Across Divides
Community and place-based foundations are building common ground in the communities they serve. The intended audience for this session is leaders of community and place-based foundations who are curious about what they can do to help bridge divides constructively. Participants will leave…
Building Grassroots Impact and Sustainability by Reimagining Fiscal Sponsorship
In 2018, the largest fiscal sponsor in Baltimore, serving over 150 independent projects, started showing signs of fiscal mismanagement. Ultimately, the organization pulled out of fiscal sponsorship, causing harm to dozens of mostly Black-led community organizations that were unable to recover these…
The Role of Community Philanthropy in Advancing Immigrant Inclusion
Local foundations play a critical role in fostering welcoming environments for immigrants. This session explores how philanthropy can support immigrant inclusion through investments, partnerships, and programming. Leaders from the Walder Foundation and Welcoming America will share examples, lessons…
Building Capacity Through Pooled Funds
Discover how pooled funds and collaborative grantmaking foster nonprofit resilience by supporting key capacity-building activities, such as executive transitions and sustained collaboration. This session will highlight how funders can flexibly support nonprofits through intermediary giving…
The Role of Place Based Funders in Keeping People and Communities Safe
When someone is harmed by those meant to support them, an organizations’ inability to prevent abuse receives intense public scrutiny, as seen with cases such as U.S. Gymnastics and the Boy Scouts. But what is the role of foundations in ensuring that their grantees are preventing harm? How do you…
Building Bridges for a Vibrant Future
This session will explore how national place-based funders play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community through collaboration. Participants will learn from case studies from local service partners that illustrate successful strategies for community engagement and practical tools for…
Building a Culture of Dialogue Across Differences - SOLD OUT
Hosted by Council on Foundations
Participants in this half-day workshop will be introduced to Resetting the Table’s celebrated approach to developing the tools to build a culture of productive dialogue on charged issues even in the face of strong differences. Participants exchange views and…
Transformative Philanthropy in Native American Communities
This discussion will explore sustainable investments in Native communities, Native Nations, and Tribal-led programs. It will highlight transformative initiatives led by Native Americans in Philanthropy and the Bush Foundation. Panelists will discuss their process of grantmaking based on extensive…
Bold Strategies to Uplift Humanity in Uncertain Times
Philanthropic institutions are facing mounting challenges in their pursuit of a just world for all. Foundation leaders must confront these legal, communication, and reputational risks head-on support the communities they serve. In this session, tailored for CEOs, participants will learn about…
Understanding Heirs' Property Issues and Opportunities
Heirs’ property is inherited property that has been passed down without a will or other legal instruments and affects a family's ability to maintain stable housing and build intergenerational wealth. Present in all ethnic groups and geographies, it is concentrated in those with lower incomes or…
Affordable Housing Is a Group Project
The session would be focused on the centrality of collaborative, braided funding (public, private, philanthropic) and other resources for affordable housing to effectively address our nation's lack of affordable housing supply. This session is for foundation leadership and staff working on systems…
Opening Plenary Session: United in Giving, Then and Now
Approaching its 250th anniversary, our nation has the opportunity—and the obligation—to reflect: How can these United States truly recognize the contributions of all who live here? And how can we work together on the path toward our ultimate goal: a multiracial, multicultural democracy where…
Advancing Health and Wealth Equity Through a Community-Centered Economic Inclusion Model
Community-centered economic development frameworks drive more accessible economic growth. These frameworks take an interdisciplinary approach to community development, address social determinants of health, and require collaboration between stakeholders to create grassroots change. Learn…