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: 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…
Opportunity Zones - A Value to Your Community?
Fundamentals
What are Opportunity Zones?
Created by changes to the tax code in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, Opporunity Zones are state-nominated, economically depressed communities that are in need of new investment. These investments could, under certain circumstances, be eligable for…
International Women's Day: Perspectives in Philanthropy
International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. The philanthropic sector is especially poised to take on this action.
The 2018 theme for International…
Grantmaking Innovation: Using a Competition Model to Fund Bold Ideas
Members, View the Recording
Prizes, challenges, and competitions can bring new awareness to critical issues, help grantmakers reach beyond their existing networks, and connect participants with new resources. But they are not easy to do well.
Join the Council for a discussion between two…
Washington Snapshot: Ways and Means Holds Budget Markup, Senior IRS Official Resigns
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Ways and Means Committee Adopts FY 2019 Budget Views and Estimates Letter
Senior Treasury Official Leaves Agency Amid Tax Reform Implementation
In the States: SALT Workaround Bills Advance
News from the Hill
Ways and Means Committee Adopts FY 2019 Budget…
State Level SALT Work-Arounds: What Do They Mean for Philanthropy?
Members, View the Recording
With the passage of tax reform and the repeal of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, a handful of high-tax states—such as New Jersey, California, and New York—have been considering proposals to alleviate the new burden their residents will now face. Many…
Webinar: The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and Dangers to US Nonprofits
View the Recording
The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) is front page news in the wake of Russian involvement in the 2016 U.S. Presidential election. Since its enactment in 1938, FARA has been rarely enforced, but Congress has recently considering several bills to increase its implementation…
Washington Snapshot: JCT Estimates Number of Itemizers Will Decrease Under New Tax Law
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
JCT Estimates Number of Itemizers Under New Tax Law
IRS Issues Guidelines on New Opportunity Zones
FEMA Seeks Youths
Commerce Releases New Strategic Plan
In the States: SALT Workaround Bills Advance
News from the Hill
JCT Estimates Number of Itemizers…
Federal Budget
The Council provides an analysis of the annual president's budget request and congressional appropriations measures focusing on proposals that may affect foundations and the broad nonprofit sector.
Historically, budget requests put forward by the Administration serve as a messaging…
Washington Snapshot: Congress Ends Brief Shutdown, New IRS Commissioner Officially Nominated
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot:
Brief Government Shutdown Ended with Passage of Budget Deal
Trump Administration Releases 2018-19 Budget
Repeal of Johnson Amendment Raised at National Prayer Breakfast
President Trump Officially Nominates New IRS Head
FEMA Requests Comments on Natural…
More Than 80 Philanthropic Leaders Commit to Working Across Borders to Achieve the SDGS in North America
Coming out of a historic meeting that brought together philanthropic leaders from Canada, Mexico and the United States, more than 80 philanthropic leaders have joined in solidarity and pledged to work to reduce poverty and increase opportunity for all across North America. This commitment marks the…
North American Philanthropy: United to Leave No One Behind
More than 200 leaders from across North America gathered in Mexico City for the inaugural North American Community Foundations Summit on February 5-6, 2018.
Out of this historic gathering, the Council on Foundations and event co-hosts Community Foundations of Canada and Comunalia from Mexico…