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.
Washington Snapshot: Tax Cuts 2.0 Expected to Stall in Senate, Congress Punts Spending Fight to December
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
“Tax Cuts 2.0” Passes House, Expected to Stall in Senate
Government Shutdown Averted, December Vote Looms
Tax Writers Remain Hopeful That IRS Reform Will Happen Before Year’s End
Rettig Officially Sworn In to Become IRS Commissioner
Sen. Scott Sends Letter…
Washington Snapshot: House to Vote on Tax Cuts 2.0, Senators Pushing for a Vote on IRS Donor Disclosure
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot...
House to Vote on Tax Cuts 2.0
Senators Pushing for a Vote on IRS Donor Disclosure
Rettig Swearing-In Expected for Next Week
States Acting Quickly in Aftermath of Hurricane Florence
News from the Hill
House to Vote on Tax Cuts 2.0
Yesterday, the House…
California College Pathways: A Case Study on How Strategic Philanthropy Leads to Systematic Change
The Excellence in Public-Philanthropic Partnerships Exchange (Exchange) hosted a webinar featuring the California College Pathways (CCP) Project, which received the 2018 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.
This…
Career Pathways Leadership Development: Conversations with Alumni
As the 2018 Career Pathways cohort approaches their final learning session in November, the Council on Foundations is eagerly preparing for the 2019 program. We are anticipating a transformative year with a new group of powerful, dynamic, and talented leaders that are ready to hone their…
Leading Together 2019 Conference - Bridging Divides
Philanthropy is an important bridge within societies. In today’s world of growing nationalism and division, it has an even more critical role to play. We see funders of all types and sizes working across divides to drive social change, from strengthening democracy and civic engagement…
Leading Together 2019 Conference - Inclusive Economic Prosperity
The economy is rapidly changing. The public and private sectors, anchor institutions, and philanthropy play a vital role in strengthening local economies, and if knitted together, can serve as powerful drivers for building inclusive economic opportunities, ensuring further democratizing of…
Leading Together 2019 Conference - Climate Impact & Vulnerabilities
Throughout history, from the Green Revolution to the proliferation of renewable energy at local levels today, foundations have catalyzed action that helps communities adapt to changing ecosystems. Today, major environmental grantmakers are calling for increased investment in climate…
Nusenda Foundation To Receive 2018 Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications
The Council on Foundations today announced that it will present the Nusenda Credit Union Foundation with its 2018 Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications.
Nusenda Executive Director Robin Brulé and members of her team will receive the award at the Council’s Member Meeting and…
Charlottesville Area Community Foundation’s Brennan Gould to Receive 2018 Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking
The Council on Foundations today announced that Brennan Gould, president and CEO of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, will receive its Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking for an innovative grantmaking initiative created in response to the deadly racial riots that rocked…
Global Philanthropy Update - September 2018
September is a month of global conversations and events for the development community. As important actors in the global movement to achieve the ambitious targets within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, foundations play a vital role in this community.
Earlier this month, foundation…
Washington Snapshot: We Need Your Input on UBIT, Appropriations Update
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
We Need Your Input on UBIT!
Appropriations Update
Rettig Takes Over as New IRS Commissioner
2018 Elections: Attorneys General
2018 Ballot Measures of Interest
We Need Your Input on UBIT!
Many foundations and other charitable organizations are going to face…
2018 Member Meeting and Council on Foundations Awards Ceremony
The Council on Foundations Awards Program was established to recognize excellence in philanthropy and honor exemplary leaders for their dedication to exploring creative ways to advance the common good.
This year’s ceremony, held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on November 28, 2018,…
Opportunity Zones: Can Foundations Help Communities Get Ready?
View the Slides
With the passage of last year’s tax code overhaul, Congress created Opportunity Zones—areas in low-income census tracks designated by governors, where private equity investors can invest capital gains in new development ventures in exchange for tax forgiveness after 10 years.…
Hurricane Florence: What's Next?
Revisit this co-hosted Webinar to hear perspectives directly from the front lines of disaster impacted areas.
The devastation of Hurricane Florence has wide-reaching impacts that will require strategic, long-term investments. The Council co-sponsored this webinar on Tuesday, September 18, with…
What to Watch at UN General Assembly 2018
This month, thousands of representatives from governments, civil society, and the corporate sector will come together in New York for the 73rd annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Alongside the high-level conversations within the UN, hundreds of side-events will address the world’s…
Veteran's Philanthropy Exchange: Successes and Challenges in Veterans Transition
This is a funders-only meeting to share what funders have learned from their investments in veterans transition and the continuing challenges veterans and their families face as they return to civilian life after military service. Panelists and attendees will share data and metrics, grantmaking…