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.
(Internal) Talent Development for (External) Impact
Members, View the Recording
(Internal) Talent Development for (External) Impact is about the Bush Foundation’s internal efforts to develop staff to have greater impact while at Bush and then beyond. Over the last five years, the Bush Foundation has been working to embed their belief in…
Diversity of Thought: Atlas Corps Fellows Program
The Council, in partnership with Atlas Corps and American Express, shared information on the Atlas Corps Fellows Program. Atlas Corps facilitates overseas fellowships for the best of the world's rising leaders. They volunteer for 12-18 months at outstanding organizations (foundations,…
The Tax Bill Has Passed - What Does it Mean and What Happens Now?
Member, View the Recording
The tax bill has passed and many in the sector are wondering what it will mean for our work, and what comes next in our advocacy. Join us for a detailed look at the tax bill and a discussion on the legislative provisions that will impact philanthropy and charities. We…
Council on Foundations Statement on Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Council on Foundations Statement on Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
(ARLINGTON, VA, December 20, 2017) Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill:
“During a season when families and communities are coming together to find ways…
The Bush Approach
Members, View the Recording
The Bush Approach is an evaluation tool developed by the Bush Foundation to gauge program strategy. Their approach is based on the belief that systems are really made up of the people within them. Changing systems, therefore, requires inspiring, equipping, and connecting…
Council on Foundations Announces 2018 Cohort of Career Pathways
The Council on Foundations is proud to announce the 24 members of its 2018 Career Pathways cohort, representing the fifth class of the program.
Career Pathways equips mid-career professionals at grantmaking organizations and other non-profit institutions to lead high-performing organizations and…
Summary and Analysis of The Final Tax Reform Legislation
January 2, 2017
See the Council's statement on the passage of the final tax reform bill - December 20, 2017.
See the Council's joint statement with Independent Sector and National Council of Nonprofits - December 16, 2017.
Having passed different versions of tax reform in the House (H.R.1)…
Nonprofits and Foundations Stand United in Opposition to the Tax Bill
Independent Sector, the Council on Foundations, and the National Council of Nonprofits, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable and philanthropic organizations, are unified in opposition to the final tax legislation.
This is the most consequential tax legislation for the…
Global Philanthropy Newsletter - December 2017
Season’s greetings from the Global Philanthropy team here at the Council! It finally feels like winter in D.C. and we’ve even had a taste of snow.
Across the world, 2017 has been a year of change and transition. As the year ends, I’ve been reflecting on our program’s impact in 2017, especially as…
Washington Snapshot: Tax Bill Just Days Away from Passage
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot
Tax Conference Committee Commences as GOP Leaders Announce a Deal
Congress Avoids Shutdown, Stalls Shutdown Decision
IRS to Pursue Changes to 1023-EZ in 2018
Clarification on IRS Notice 2017-73
In the States: Governors and Lawmakers Prepare for Budget…
2017 California Wildfires
Disaster Overview
In December 2017, nearly 9,000 wildfires tore through the State of California, burning 1.2 million acres of land, destroying more than 10,800 structures and killing at least 46 people.
Source: Washington Post
Member and Partner Resources
The Council co-sponsored a funders phone…
Economic Development as a Charitable Activity
Publication
A Chapter in Mastering Foundation Law:
The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources
Economic development grants raise all sorts of intriguing legal issues. May a charity participate with non-charitable and even for-profit companies in a development project it does not control? What…
Washington Snapshot: Tax Bill Heads to Conference, Moves Closer to Passage
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot
Tax Bill Proceeds to Conference Committee
Congress Faces Deadline to Avoid a Government Shutdown
IRS Requests Comments for Certain Situations Involving DAFs
In the States: Governors, Legislatures Struggle to Close Budget Gaps, Illinois Improves Government-…
Council on Foundations Statement on Senate Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
Today, the Council on Foundations released the following statement from President and CEO Vikki Spruill:
“Today’s Senate passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have long term catastrophic impacts on philanthropies, charities, and the people that they serve. Coinciding with a time of year…
Tax Reform Member Update
Members, View the Recording
Council on Foundations Senior Vice President for Government Relations Hadar Susskind hosts a member call to discuss the current House and Senate tax reform bills. If allowed to become law, the current tax reform effort will have disastrous consequences for charitable…
2018 Public Policy Summit - Registration
Registration
Online Registration
Online Registration is closed. You can register onsite at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel in the Millennium Hall foyer on the 2nd floor. For faster onsite registration, please fill out the paper registration form and bring it with you.
Registration Rates…