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 Pennsylvania Foundations Public Policy Conference: Amplifying the Voice of the Sector
Each year, Pennsylvania’s philanthropic sector invests more than $2.6 billion in grant making in the Commonwealth. Uncertainty about national and State public policies and budget realities will make philanthropy’s investments critically important, especially on behalf of vulnerable populations in…
Collaborate & Innovate: Equalizing the Playing Field of Black Business Ownership in the U.S.
Collaborate & Innovate: Equalizing the Playing Field of Black Business Ownership in the U.S.
This event is a preconference session at the 2017 Annual Conference. It is the first in a series of three sessions focused on entrepreneurship within the Black community.
With America growing…
A Voice for Philanthropy: What the Council Means to Me
In April, my tenure as chair of the Council on Foundations’ Board of Directors will end, and I will near completion of my board service, a term bounded by two historic presidential elections and begun when our country experienced an economic collapse rivaled only by the 1929 market crash and the…
Washington Snapshot - March 2, 2017
In this Week’s Edition of Snapshot…
Tax Reform Update: President Trump addresses Congress, Secretary Mnuchin speaks on tax reform, Chairman Brady vows to repeal the Johnson Amendment, and the Council and colleagues speak out in defense of nonpartisanship
Legislation to invest in “opportunity…
Here’s the IRS’s Dirty Dozen List of Tax Scams
It’s officially tax season when the IRS releases its Dirty Dozen List of Tax Scams. We know Council members work hard to be on the right side of the law, but the below info from the IRS can be useful to review with board and staff. Don’t forget, if you ever have a question, the Council’s legal team…
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…
Policy Update: "Johnson Amendment" in the 115th Congress
Published on February 7, 2017
See the letter we sent to every Congressional office regarding this issue on February 9, 2017.
Currently, charitable 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from participating in, or intervening in (including the publishing and distributing of statements), any…
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…