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.
Creating Inclusive Economic Prosperity Starts with Each of Us
Earlier this week, there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers delivered to my desk.
It was from the Community Foundation team to mark a milestone in my life—and my family’s life. We moved to the Quad Cities four years ago and I began working with an incredible group of people—board members and…
Washington Snapshot: House Republicans Push Tax Cuts 2.0, Rettig Confirmation Expected
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Cuts 2.0 Plan is Unveiled
Rettig Expected to Be Confirmed Amid Other Pending Priorities
Primary Elections Held in New Hampshire
State Tax Revenues Vary Due to Federal Tax Law Changes
News from the Hill
Tax Cuts 2.0 Plan is Unveiled
On Monday, the…
Hurricane Florence
Disaster Overview
Hurricane Florence made landfall along the coast of the Carolinas on Thursday September 13, leading to catastrophic inland rainfall, flooding, life-threatening storm surges and destructive winds.
As more becomes known about the impacts of the storm, this page will be…
Washington Snapshot: Tax Reform 2.0 to be Unveiled, Primary Upset in Massachusetts
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
An Update on Tax Reform 2.0
Kyl to Fill Vacant Arizona Senate Seat Left by McCain
Rocky start for Kavanaugh’s Confirmation Hearings
Federal Reserve Board Releases New Publication
Primary Upset in Massachusetts
SALT Workaround Proposed Regulations Cause…
2018 UN General Assembly Philanthropic Side-Events
This page is an archived schedule of events from the 2018 United Nations General Assembly. See the most recent UNGA schedule instead.
In September 2018 - representatives from government, civil society, and the corporate sector came together at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly…
2019 HR Summit
The 2019 HR Summit: Building a Culture of Equity, co-hosted by the Council on Foundations and CHANGE Philanthropy, is your unique opportunity to share your personal and organizational journey as it relates to building a culture of decision-making and best practices rooted in equity.…
Crypto-Philanthropy: What You Need to Know
Editor's note: This post is one in a series highlighting sessions for the upcoming Endowments and Finance Summit, held in Washington, DC, on September 6-7. The Summit is where foundation leaders – such as CEOs, CIOs, CFOs, Senior Investment Officers and board and investment committee members –…
Washington Snapshot: Senator John McCain Leaves Behind a Legacy, Treasury Proposes Rules on SALT Workarounds
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Senator John McCain Leaves Behind a Legacy
Senate Passes Spending Bill Package
Treasury Proposes Rules on State-Level SALT Workarounds
Primary Elections Held in Arizona and Florida
States Respond to Work Requirements Differently
Payments in Lieu of Taxes (…
Facebook Live: Serving the Public Good: Exploring Relationships between Public Policy and the Charitable Sector
Join us on Facebook for the closing plenary session at the 2018 Endownments & Finance Summit.
Experts from top economic thinktanks and foundation leaders will discuss the future of philanthropy, highlighting key policy implications and anticipated outcomes of changes in charitable giving…
Facebook Live: Harnessing the Momentum, Finding Opportunities, Building Stronger Futures
Join us on Facebook for the opening plenary session at the 2018 Endownments & Finance Summit.
Hear from top foundation leaders how they navigated the financial unknowns of the past year and what moves they plan to make in the year ahead to set their organizations up for success.…
Putting Down Roots
Editor's Note: As a part of our Inclusive Economic Prosperity in the Midwest convening, we're highlighting stories from the region. This article was originally published in bMag, a publication by the Bush Foundation.
Pakou Hang (BF’11) and her six siblings spent much of their childhood rising…
Council on Foundations Statement On Donor Advised Funds
In response to numerous articles in which some media outlets have mischaracterized the intent and impact of donor advised funds, the Council on Foundations released the following joint statement from interim president and CEO Gene Cochrane and Javier Alberto Soto, chair of the Council’s board of…
Preserving Equity among Generations: CPI + 5%
Editor's note: This post is one in a series highlighting sessions for the upcoming Endowments and Finance Summit, held in Washington, DC, on September 6-7. The Summit is where foundation leaders – such as CEOs, CIOs, CFOs, Senior Investment Officers and board and investment committee members –…
Washington Snapshot: Treasury Solicits Input on UBIT Guidance, SALT Workaround Regulations Coming Soon
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Senate Finance Committee Considers Treasury Nominee
Treasury Solicits Input on UBIT Guidance with Notice 2018-67, Releases Priority Guidance Update
SALT Regulations Update
Primary Elections Held Recently in 13 States
In the States: States Weigh Wayfair…
Building a Cultural Epicenter
Editor's Note: In advance of our Inclusive Economic Prosperity in the Midwest convening, we're highlighting stories from the region. This article was originally published in bMag, a publication by the Bush Foundation. Photography is by David Ellis.
On an autumn afternoon in 2017, Abdirizak “…
ER Causing You Trauma? Diagnosing the Rules and Regulations for Expenditure Responsibility
Members, View the Recording
The steps of expenditure responsibility are the federally-mandated procedures a private foundation (and DAFs) must follow for any grant made to a non-charity. While the rules for exercising expenditure responsibility are relatively straightforward, many issues and…