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.
2017 Annual Convening of the Veterans Philanthropy Exchange
Launched in 2014, The Veterans Philanthropy Exchange is a learning and sharing forum for philanthropic grantmakers, donors, and corporate giving programs supporting veterans and military family strategies.
Join your peers for discussions about funder collaboration and collective action, a…
Washington Snapshot - February 23, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: House Republicans face growing opposition to border adjustability
Charitable Giving Coalition Spends Day Fighting for the Charitable Deduction on Capitol Hill
IRS makes 1023-EZ data available online
In the States: State budgets (in brief…
New Podcast: Philanthropy Hour's Conversation with Vikki Spruill
Council President and CEO Vikki Spruill sat down with Philanthropy Hour’s Greg Cherry for an intimate conversation about the impact and value of American philanthropy and the Council on Foundations' role in advancing the common good.
Hear what Vikki considers to be trending in the field, what…
Philanthropy Caucus Reception
Join the Philanthropy Caucus for a social reception to conclude Foundations on the Hill. Network with representatives from a variety of charitable foundations and organizations, lawmakers, and Congressional staff in an event to recognize the role of philanthropy as a unique stakeholder in…
Washington Snapshot - February 16, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: Mnuchin confirmed as Treasury Secretary, Bishop named to Ways & Means, Trump Administration working on a tax overhaul plan, Congress aims to keep the train on track
IRS seeks to understand how the regulatory ban will impact its work…
Recent Immigration Executive Orders: How is Philanthropy Impacted and Reacting?
Listen to the Recording
The webinar provided an analysis of the impact that President Trump's Executive Order 13769, Protecting the Nation from Terrorist Attacks by Foreign Nationals, may have on your foundation's work domestically and globally.
Council staff and foundation leaders discussed how…
Council Member Update
Members Access the Recording
Thanks to everyone who attended the first Council Member Update of 2017.
Council President and CEO Vikki Spruill covered why this is such a critical time for philanthropy — and what the Council has planned in the year ahead to help strengthen the field.
Attendees also…
Washington Snapshot - February 9, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: Council staff meets with Chairman Brady, there is a new member of Ways and Means, and tax bills are not in short supply
The Council sends a letter to Congress about the “Johnson Amendment”
A number of the President’s Cabinet Nominees have…
Call Recording: White House "Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements" Executive Order Explained
On January 27, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order on "Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements." Since then, there have been protests in cities and airports around the nation, there have been statements from elected officials on both sides of the aisle, and there has…
Does Trump's Immigration Executive Order Impact My Foundation?
Basic Rights and Rules for Foundations working with Non-US Citizens
Disclaimer: The information in this message and any attachments is being provided for informational purposes only and not as part of an attorney-client relationship. The information is not a substitute for expert legal, tax,or…
Five Trends in Learning and Evaluation
Evaluation and philanthropic learning are essential to driving social change. Here are five trends to look out for in 2017 – and likely beyond:
1. Integrating Evaluation into Strategy
In the philanthropic, nonprofit, and public sectors, and more recently with socially oriented businesses, demand…
Washington Snapshot - February 2, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: POTUS Meets with Congressional Leaders About Tax Reform
Cabinet Nominations Progress in Congress
Bill Introduced to Allow Expanded Political Activity by Nonprofits
President Trump Issues more Executive Orders
SCOTUS Nominee Announced…
Council on Foundations and HUD Kick Off 2017 Secretary’s Awards for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships
The Council on Foundations and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today launched the 2017 HUD Secretary’s Awards for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. The Council and HUD are seeking nominations from charitable foundations working with the public sector to improve the…
Celebrating National African American History Month
February marks the observance of National African American History Month, a commemoration with origins dating back to 1926 when Dr. Carter G. Woodson instituted a week-long celebration to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to history. 50 years later, as part of the United States…
Washington Snapshot - January 26, 2017
In This Week's Edition of Snapshot...
Congress Rolls Out Ambitious 200-Day Plan
President Trump Instates Regulatory Freeze
International NGOs Face New Restrictions with U.S. Grant Dollars
In the States: State of the State Addresses 2017
News from the Hill
So, What’s Up with Tax Reform…
Global Philanthropy Update — January 2017
Did you march with the millions of women in cities around the world last week? Or watch President Trump’s inauguration last Friday? Here in D.C., it’s been a crowded and hectic start to 2017.
At the Council, we are busy preparing for our Annual Conference in April and have launched several new…