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.
May the 4th Build Community: Career Pathways Alumni Outing
Career Pathways alumni are invited to come together to connect, build community, and gather The Force to prepare for Building Together 2026. We will build relationships, grab a meal, and explore a galaxy far, far, away... from the hotel, and step into local, rejuvenating outdoor spaces. Join us and…
Bainbridge Excursion
Dive into a true Seattle experience, beginning with a scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound. Enjoy lunch on the island, then take a tour of the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial guided by our friends at Trust for Public Land highlighting the history and resilience of the Bainbridge Island…
Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - December 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America and the Caribbean and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the…
Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - October 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America & the Caribbean and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the…
Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - July 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America and the Caribbean and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the…
Latin America and Caribbean Funder Circle - May 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across Latin America and the Caribbean region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - December 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - October 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - August 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - July 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - May 2026
This peer-learning space brings together funders working across the Asia-Pacific region and is designed to be an informal, peer-led conversation where participants can share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift across the region. ICNL…
Washington Snapshot: Treasury 990 Transparency Initiative
The Department of the Treasury announced plans to revise Form 990 to “improve transparency, strengthen tax administration, and provide clearer reporting on certain activities of tax-exempt organizations.” These activities include government grants and contracts, as well as fiscal sponsorships. Plus…
As the beginning of May inches (or maybe barrels) closer, the anticipation of travel builds. This comes with real excitement for learning, connecting, and inspiration, but it also comes with some challenges. Work travel isn’t easy, but conferences like this, in my experience, are always worth it!…
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit for Contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations
The IssueThe One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA - P.L. 119-21) included a provision (Section 70411) to create a new nonrefundable tax credit for contributions to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). An SGO is defined as a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides scholarships to students for…
Washington Snapshot: FY2027 Presidential Budget Request
Last Friday, the Trump Administration released the White House’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) President’s Budget Request. Plus, Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers, an Executive Order on elections, and more.
Legal Compliance Guidance
When disaster strikes a community, disaster relief funds administered through community foundations offer an efficient way to quickly get aid to those who need it. But it’s important to understand how the Internal Revenue Code requires these charitable funds be used, which can vary depending on the…