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.
Inclusive Economic Prosperity
How can philanthropy help build more inclusive economies?
Despite the recent economic growth in the United States, many Americans have been left behind in a increasingly global economy. Their region may have few job opportunities, high poverty rates, a lack of economic investment, or an unequal…
Washington Snapshot: President Trump Delivers First SOTU, House Committee Examines IRS Reform
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot:
President Delivers First SOTU, Congress Reacts
Mnuchin Urges Action on Debt Limit as Congress Seeks to Prevent Another Shutdown Next Week
Tax-Writers in House Continue Work Post-Tax Reform
HUD and COF Launch Exchange Highlighting Public-Philanthropic…
Council on Foundations Releases Comprehensive Report on Sector Salaries, Demographics
Respondents to an annual survey on foundation salaries and demographics indicated that one in three foundation staff was between the ages of 50-64 last year, and one in four came from a racial or ethnic minority background.
The analysis, part of data collected annually in the Council on Foundations…
Religious Diversity in America Today - Experts Gather to Discuss Current American Moment and Role of Philanthropic Response
The Council on Foundations, Interfaith Youth Core and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation convened a national discussion aimed at sparking solutions for the fractured state of religious diversity in America today in Washington D.C.
The invitation-only symposium at the Religious Freedom Center of the…
Schedule
Wednesday, September 12
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre Excursion (Optional)
Join us for an optional excursion to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and explore the beautiful scenery and bracing activity that Denver has to offer. Enjoy a light hike, or take in the…
Sponsors
The Council would like to thank all of the sponsors for their support of the 2018 Public Policy Summit.
Summit Partners
The Heinz Endowments
www.heinz.org
The Heinz Endowments seeks to help our region thrive as a whole and just community, and through that work to model solutions…
Washington Snapshot: New IRS Chief, Government Reopens After Brief Shutdown
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot:
After three-day shutdown, government reopens; Congress continues to grapple with immigration
Chuck Rettig tapped to be new IRS Commissioner
Senate confirms Jerome Powell as new Federal Reserve Chair
In the States: States consider Medicaid work requirement…
Global Philanthropy Newsletter—January 2018
Happy New Year! As you start 2018, I’m excited to continue working with you to support your international grantmaking. I’m kicking off the new year with a new job here at the Council—while continuing to lead our international program, I’m now also overseeing the work of our corporate, community,…
Washington Snapshot: Government Shutdown Deadline Nears, Immigration Deal is Key
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot:
With no agreement on DACA, Congress pursues another short-term funding deal to avoid a government shutdown
Senate races with potential Finance Committee implications
Administration continues push to expand broadband access
House committee marks up bill…
The Council is Dedicated to DEI. That's Why We've Joined the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion.
As I reflected on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this week, I spent some time honing in on the words of a little song by the legendary James Taylor. “Shed A Little Light” is an homage to Dr. King and in it, the lyrics say, “We are bound together by the task that stands before us.” Those…
Washington Snapshot: New Members of Tax-Writing Committees
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Democrats Throw Cold Water on Immediate Fixes to Tax Reform
Tax-Writing Committees Add New Members, New Budget Chair Announced
The Intersection of SALT and Charitable Contributions
Immigration Agreement Could Unlock Funding Compromise
IRS Estimates What it…
From Global Goals to Local Impact
Publication
How Philanthropy Can Help Achieve the
U.N. Sustainable Development Goals in the U.S.
As implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals becomes a priority of the world, philanthropy has an opportunity to make an impact. This report from the Council on Foundations examines how U.S. funders…
Hacking the Sustainable Development Goals: Can US Cities Measure Up?
External Resource
The UN Sustainable Development Goals aim to address the world’s most pressing challenges, from poverty to climate change, by aligning priorities and developing shared metrics to measure progress. While the SDG framework is designed for nations, all levels of government will need data to track…
Sustainable Development Goals Event Toolkit
Sample Document
In 2017 and 2018, the Council on Foundations hosted a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) events in various states across the country. We created an events toolkit to support you as you host your own SDGs event in your community. The toolkit includes useful resources such as a sample…
Achieving a Sustainable Urban America: SDSN’s first U.S. Cities SDG Index
External Resource
America is the world’s richest large economy, with the world’s leading technologies and institutions of higher learning. Yet, the United States of America (U.S.) is falling behind other countries on a range of indicators relating to quality of life, economic opportunity, and environmental…
Washington Snapshot: Tax Legislation Takes Effect
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot
Tax legislation takes effect, Senate Finance Committee Chairman to retire
Deadline to pass FY18 spending measure looms
Two new U.S. senators sworn in
In the States: State legislatures convene to confront uncertainty caused by the federal tax bill
News from…