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.
Like many other social sector services, American higher education has been battered by a set of pressures tied to political polarization: escalating campus protests, growing public skepticism, and donor and legislative scrutiny over the past several years. The result: a pervasive sense that the…
How to Disrupt Online Pipelines to Radicalization and Violence
The March 2019 terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand revealed an essential truth about our modern information age: terrorists and violent extremists exploit digital platforms to radicalize, recruit, and inspire violence. This session will help participants understand the…
Washington Snapshot: CF Leadership Coalition Launch
We’re excited to let you know that our new CF Leadership Coalition: Policy and Communications Add-on is now available. Plus, G20 for Philanthropy Information Series, Budget Reconciliation Outlook, and more.
Join this peer space for foundation staff that manage and lead scholarship programs. These engaging peer events are designed to be informal, peer-led conversations with fellow foundation staff (of all types) to share best practices and explore common challenges in scholarship programs. Whether you…
Global Regional Funder Circles
These peer-learning spaces bring together funders working in specific regions and are designed to be informal conversations for peers to share experiences and learn from one another as legal, regulatory, and security dynamics continue to shift for philanthropy across the globe.
New CEOs Navigating Difference and Division in a Transforming Philanthropic Landscape (CEO Only)
At the same time foundations are managing one of the most disruptive periods in philanthropic history, a new wave of executives has taken the helm at many large foundations. What are their philosophies about engaging difference and what might their approaches show us about opportunities and…
Council on Foundations Celebrates 2025 Award Winners
WASHINGTON – Today, the Council on Foundations announced the winners of the 2025 Council Awards, including two new awards - the Excellence in Community Foundation Leadership Award and Building Together Award. The winners include:Distinguished Service Award: Rip Rapson, Kresge Foundation President…
Washington Snapshot: Global Grantmaking Essentials
Our biannual virtual training on global grantmaking offers a focused dive into cross-border giving regulations, real-world tools for navigating complex systems, and updates on the latest data and research. Plus, the SPONSOR Act, Senate hearing on foreign influence in higher education, and more.
Membership Benefits
Council members—including staff, board members, and volunteers—have access to exclusive member benefits and service including networking, professional development, legal consultation, discounts, and more.
Building Together Award
About the AwardThe Building Together Award grew out of the Council on Foundations’ strategic focus on Building Common Ground. The award:Celebrates work that builds the heart set, mindset, and skill set to connect and collaborate across differences. This may include efforts that foster dialogue,…
Asia-Pacific Funder Circle - April 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…
Guidance for Funders on the Iran War 2026
As is the case with most military conflicts, humanitarian needs will inevitably escalate in the region. For those interested in providing aid or support to people affected by the war, this page offers legal guidance, background information, and suggested funding avenues.This page will be updated as…
This session offers practical tools and case studies to help funders listen quickly and, effectively, and without burdening grantees in times of upheaval—even when communities are sharing conflicting opinions and input. This is a part of the Building Up to Building Together webinar series. If…