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.
2022 Council on Foundations - Commonfund Study of Investment of Endowments for Private and Community Foundations (CCSF)
Publication, Research
The CCSF Study is the field’s most comprehensive and authoritative study on investment and governance policies and practices. The 2022 CCSF studies 277 private and community foundations that represent $206.8 billion in assets. Topics covered include:
Returns and Investment Objectives
Asset…
September Public Policy Update: What’s Happening in Congress?
Congress is back in session this month and facing several decisions and deadlines that could impact your work—and bring the government to a standstill. With federal funding set to expire at the end of September, plus must-pass defense and agriculture legislation that’s causing fights across the…
Philanthropy Supporting Ukraine - September 2023
Innovative Solutions in Education
How can philanthropy apply lessons from the war in Ukraine and support education systems during and after a crisis and in conflict zones across the globe? Since the war began, over 2,600 schools have been damaged and some 5.3 million children face barriers…
DEI Roundtable: Small and Mighty: Spearheading DEI Initiatives for Small Teams
We are excited to share an inspiring and transformative Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Roundtable Series, tailored specifically for professionals implementing DEI work in the philanthropic sector. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, learn new tools and…
2023 UN General Assembly Philanthropic Side-Events
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Goals House UNGA
September 17 - 20 | In-Person
Philanthropies Represented: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Register now
Monday, September 18, 2023
Better Together World Congress 2023
September 18 | Hybrid
Philanthropies Represented: Better Together…
2023 Annual Member Meeting
The virtual 2023 Annual Member Meeting included approval of the nominations for the Board of Directors and the State of the Council address from Kathleen Enright, President and CEO, Council on Foundations.
Celebrating our 2023 Council Award Winners
During our 2023 Annual Member…
Philanthropy's Response to Hawaiʻi Wildfires
Overview
Over 100 people have died in the wildfires sweeping through the Hawaiʻian island of Maui. Although wildfires and hurricanes are part of "seasonal realities" in the state, strong winds from Hurricane Dora have made this fire the nation's deadliest in over 100 years. Lahaina, a…
Artificial Intelligence in Philanthropy: Trends and Responsible Use
View the recording of this thought-provoking webinar on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and its significance in shaping digital infrastructure and enhancing equitable outcomes for the social sector.
In this session, speakers from the philanthropic sector discussed how the power of…
Values-Aligned Philanthropy: Implementing Policies at Community Foundations
Are you struggling to communicate with key stakeholders about your anti-hate funding policy? Have you found implementing these policies to be murkier than expected? Or maybe you haven’t engaged with values-aligned philanthropy yet, and you’re looking for a place to start? Join this interactive…
Centering Community Voice for Health and Economic Equity
Discover how a Milwaukee funder collaborative is designing a mixed-use neighborhood while prioritizing community voice.
Join this webinar to learn how the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (GMF), the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), Royal Capital (a Black-owned developer), and the residents of three…
2023 HR Summit
Enter the Summit
In this time of significant transformation, HR, talent, and culture leaders and practitioners have emerged as pivotal drivers in making the workplace more inclusive. Leveraging the lessons learned and fundamental work that occurred over the past few years, organizations have a…
What does the Supreme Court's decision mean for foundations and charitable organizations?
On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States announced their opinion in a pair of cases — Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina. The Court held that "Harvard’s and UNC’s admissions…
Public Policy Action Network - November 2023 Meeting
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
Philanthropy Supporting Ukraine - July 2023
Ukraine’s “Green Economy” Future
How can countries build resilient, carbon-neutral economies? Funders around the world are investing in sustainable energy, working to combat the impact of climate change, and helping environmental nonprofits build green economies. Join us to explore how…
Public Policy Action Network - September 2023 Meeting
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers 2023
The Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers course will help foundation staff use their resources effectively to advance public policies that support the greater good. Rather than focusing on what policies foundations should address, this training will focus on how to engage in policy…