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.
Private Philanthropy Newsletter—April 2018
By now you have heard the news that Vikki Spruill has accepted a position at the New England Aquarium and in June will return to the ocean conservation community, where she has deep roots. Our board president, Javier Soto, is leading the Outreach Committee, which will gather input from the…
Washington Snapshot: President, Congressional Leaders Eye Spending Reductions
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
President, Congressional Leaders Eye Spending Reductions
Trump to Nominate Muzinich for Deputy Treasury Secretary
Updates to IRS Publication 526 Regarding Giving for Natural Disasters
In the States: SALT Workaround Enacted in New York, Oklahoma Preserves…
Shifting the Power: Applying Community Philanthropy to Durable Development, Here and Abroad
While slogans like “think globally, act locally” have been around for decades, still so much decision-making about philanthropy and development aid happens by stakeholders outside communities. Even those funders that care deeply about championing local leadership and initiatives often struggle with…
Where and How is the Global Environment for Philanthropy Changing?
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The Council on Foundations and many of our partners around the world are watching the changing environment for philanthropy across the globe, as the enabling environment for giving within countries and across borders is improving in some places and at the same…
The New Power of Philanthropy
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Why do some leap ahead while others fall behind in today’s chaotic, connected world? In NEW POWER, Henry Timms (CEO of 92nd Street Y and founder of #GivingTuesday) and his co-author Jeremy Heimans (CEO of Purpose) confront the biggest stories of our age and reveal…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Passes Spending Bill, Releases IRS Reform Proposal
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Omnibus Signed into Law, Averting Another Shutdown
House Continues Push for IRS Reform
Guidance Forthcoming on New UBIT Laws
In the States: Interest Grows for Medicaid Work and Volunteering Eligibility Mandates, Making Sure Donations Don’t Determine Domicile…
100&Change: A Prize Competition?
On December 20, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced the first recipient of our 100&Change competition’s $100 million grant: an early childhood intervention for children in the Syrian refugee region co-developed by Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee.…
Council on Foundations Congratulates Vikki Spruill on Her Appointment to Become President and CEO of the New England Aquarium
Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from Javier Alberto Soto, President of the Miami Foundation and Chair of the Board of Directors for the Council on Foundations:
“On behalf of the Board and staff of the Council on Foundations, we congratulate Vikki Spruill on her…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Races to Prevent Government Shutdown, Trump Administration Shake-Up
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Congress Set to Vote on Omnibus Ahead of Friday Deadline
A Recap of Foundations on the Hill 2018
President Trump Shakes-Up Administration
FEMA Announces Webinars to Discuss Strategic Plan
In the States: Expanding Minnesota Non-Itemizer Deductions, Donor…
Global Philanthropy Newsletter—March 2018
This month, work on public policy that impacts philanthropy has been a large focus across the Council. Most relevant to global grantmakers, I’ve been working with partners on the US Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA). There are more than seven bills currently proposed in the House and Senate…
Philanthropic Leaders Converge on Capitol Hill to Shine Spotlight on Veterans Health Issues
The Council on Foundations’ Veterans Philanthropy Exchange hosted a congressional briefing to highlight work underway in veterans’ healthcare and mental health services for transitioning veterans. The briefing, which included leaders from Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Robert R. McCormick…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Continues Budget Discussions, Council Submits DAF Comments
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Budget Conversations Continue on Capitol Hill
Council and ICNL Hold Congressional Briefing on FARA
Council Submits Comments to Treasury/IRS on DAF Situations
POTUS Nominates IRS Chief Counsel
White House Chief Economic Advisor Resigns
In the States: SALT…
Council Comments on Treasury/IRS DAF Notice 2017-73
The Council on Foundations wrote, on behalf of our members, to the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in response to Notice 2017-73—which was released on Dec. 4, 2017, and requested comments on the application of penalties with respect to donor advised…
2018 Endowments & Finance Summit
Access Endowments and Finance Summit Resources
The Endowments & Finance Summit, the leading forum at the nexus of philanthropy, finance, investment, and policy is where C-Suite foundation leaders go to explore the shifting forces in the investment landscape; gain invaluable…
Schedule
Thursday, September 6
8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
9:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Opening Plenary - Harnessing the Momentum, Finding Opportunities, Building Stronger Futures
11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Educating Your Board: The Rise of Impact /…
Plenary Sessions
Opening Plenary — Engage, Educate, and Empower: Philanthropy’s Voice in the Public Policy Arena
Wednesday, April 11, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
We are in a unique moment in our history. The day’s political debates increasingly divide our country. Philanthropy has a role to play in…