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.
Starting a Foundation: Formation and Considerations
Legal Compliance Guidance, Publication
Many people want to start foundations, but few start out knowing exactly what sort of organization they are going to create. The purpose of this e-book is to help potential donors understand the many different entities that are commonly referred to as foundations and to provide an understanding of…
Washington Snapshot - April 6, 2017
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: Congress and the administration have yet to reach consensus on an approach to tax reform
Government funding is set to expire at the end of this month
Private foundations and the charitable deduction—yes, you may lobby!
In the States:…
Sustainability in Grant-Giving in a Conflict-Ridden Part of the World
Healing Across the Divides (HATD) is a new member of the Council on Foundations. We joined the Council to learn from others facing similar challenges globally and connect with funders to explore issues such as finding ways to better build grantee sustainability.
Our mission is to “improve the…
2017 HR Summit: Achieving Equity in the Workplace
The 2017 HR Summit: Achieving Equity in the Workplace, co-hosted by the Council on Foundations and CHANGE Philanthropy, was a unique opportunity to learn how to make attendees' foundations — and philanthropy as a whole — more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Want to attend this year? Visit…
Washington Snapshot - March 30, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: What’s next for tax reform now following the ACA mishap?
Congress aims to avoid government shutdown
Administration weighs in as Congress gears up for a spending bill
In the States: Property Tax Fights Continue in the Courts and…
Keep Partisan Politics Out of the Nonprofit Sector
This was first published on March 22 in The Hill.
Washington, D.C., may be the most partisan place on earth, where anything and everything is judged by which political party you support, rather than the substance of what’s being discussed. Well, thank goodness that perspective is not shared by our…
Washington Snapshot - March 23, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Philanthropic and charitable leaders join the Philanthropy Caucus for a reception
Tax Reform Update: House expected to vote on repealing the ACA today, tax reform hangs in the balance
Gift substantiation bill reintroduced in the Senate
Council, National…
From Jamaica to Virginia: Initial Thoughts About My Atlas Corps Journey
Excited, relieved, eager, anxious—those were some of the feelings I experienced when I found out I was selected as an Atlas Corps Fellow to serve at the Council on Foundations.
I was working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in Jamaica when I received the confirmation email…
Global Philanthropy Update — March 2017
How did you celebrate International Women’s Day this year? Council staff wore red in solidarity with the “A Day Without a Woman” campaign.
Are you worried about how proposed cuts to USG development funding might impact your international grantmaking? I recently spoke to the Chronicle about what we'…
Washington Snapshot - March 16, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Meet our team!
Tax Reform Update: ACA repeal faces obstacle following the release of a CBO report
East coast snow storm prompts a bipartisan road trip from Texas to D.C.
The President’s budget is released
President Trump issues new executive order
In the…
Philanthropy as Catalysts for Collaboration
This post also appeared on SDG Philanthropy Platform's blog on March 14, 2017.
What do Mexico, Pakistan, Indonesia, and the U.S. have in common, when it comes to helping implement the Sustainable Development Goals? In all four countries, philanthropy associations are working with local networks of…
Council Contributions to Recent Legal Cases
As part of its advocacy work, the Council may weigh in on, or participate in, important legal cases when significant issues arise that will impact our members and the field. The Council’s participation is often as Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) whereby the Council, although not a party to the…
2017 Annual Conference - Networking Events
Networking Events
#COFAnnual is the place to connect with leaders in philanthropy, government, and other sectors — and to create future opportunities for collaboration. While every minute at #COFAnnual is an opportunity to network, these events are tailored for you to socialize…
What Happens When the U.S. Sanctions U.S. Charities?
Do you know what happens when the U.S. sanctions U.S. charities? If you answered no, you wouldn’t be alone. It can lead to funds being frozen indefinitely, despite tax rules requiring that they be distributed for charitable purposes when a charity shuts down.
Cherie L. Evans of Evans & Rosen…
Washington Snapshot - March 9, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Council and other foundation leaders meet with Members of Congress
Tax Reform Update: Bill to repeal ACA is introduced, tax reform to follow
The Council files amicus briefs in recent legal cases
In the States: California Speaker establishes select committee…
Keynote Address on Partnerships and the SDGs at Global Partnerships Week 2017
Good afternoon. Thank you, Tomas, for that warm welcome and introduction. I am honored to join all of you today to continue the discussion on how partnerships can help achieve the universal Sustainable Development Goals, and share what I’ve learned about how philanthropy is engaging in this shared…