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.
Recap of Winter Retreat for Foundation CEOs
Recap of Winter Retreat for Foundation CEOs
Executive Summary
Thank you for joining us in December as we gathered together in sunny San Diego to share best practices from the front lines of philanthropic leadership at the Council’s Winter Retreat for Foundation CEOs. When asked for one word…
The Global Goals in New York City
“If You Can Make It Here, You Can Make It Anywhere":
How the Sustainable Development Goals connect local challenges to worldwide efforts
There are significant challenges facing American communities today, including growing domestic inequality and increased poverty. In New York, members of the…
Washington Snapshot - February 19, 2016
News from the Hill
Congress was in recess this week, so updates from Capitol Hill have been relatively slow.
However, much of the attention in Washington has turned toward the marble columns of the building across the street—the Supreme Court of the United States. This week, DC remembers Supreme…
Summary of Requirements for Type I and Type III Supporting Organizations - A Proposed Rule by the Internal Revenue Service on 2/19/2016
On February 19, 2016, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations regarding the prohibition on certain contributions to Type I and Type III supporting organizations and the requirements for Type III supporting organizations.
The Council is helping to…
2016 Global Philanthropy Dinner - Uprooted Communities: Our Global Migration Challenge
2016 Global Philanthropy Dinner - Uprooted Communities: Our Global Migration Challenge
The 2016 Annual Global Philanthropy Dinner will provide a space for conference attendees to meet and connect before the full conference begins on Sunday. Dinner will feature a number of leading experts who will…
Quarterly Member Update: 2016 Q1
Members View the Recording and Slides
This Quarterly Member Update focuses on two major bodies of work. During the first portion of the update, conversation will focus on the Council’s public policy Guideposts, which are the framework for our policy work. These Guideposts have…
Washington Snapshot - February 12, 2016
News from the Hill
POTUS Sends FY 2017 Budget Proposal to Congress
On Tuesday, President Obama released his Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Proposal. The $4.1 trillion Budget sets forth the Administration’s spending and policy priorities for the coming year, including several provisions that have…
Heart & Soul Talks: How Storytelling Helps Foundations Build Better Communities
Storytelling is a powerful way to broadly engage a community and hear from voices that often go unheard. Hear how storytelling has brought residents together, bridged long-standing divides, and ultimately helped community foundations make positive, lasting, and meaningful impact. This free, 60-…
Washington Snapshot - February 5, 2016
News from the Hill
Ways & Means Working Toward Tax Reform
Tax reform has been a hot topic among the House Ways and Means Committee this week. On Monday, the Committee met for a retreat to discuss priorities for 2016. Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX-8) spoke later that day at the Heritage Foundation…
HUD And Council On Foundations Kick Off 2016 Secretary's Award For Public-Philanthropic Partnerships
Today, the Council on Foundations and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched the 2016 HUD Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. HUD and the Council are seeking nominations from charitable foundations working with the public sector to improve the…
Hiring a New CEO Resource Guide
Toolkit
Non-profit executive searches generally take a minimum of four months, and can take as long as six to eight months. A clear sense of mission and a well understood position description for the new President and CEO will be absolutely essential for success in identifying and, more importantly,…
Washington Snapshot - January 29, 2016
Dear Readers: The predictions of the DC area being buried in snow that we noted in last week’s Snapshot turned out to be very accurate! Despite the federal government being closed on Monday and Tuesday, that didn’t stop some Washingtonians from enjoying a day on Capitol Hill…
News from the…
Foundations and Systemic Global Challenges
Foundations and Systemic Global Challenges
The Council on Foundations and European Foundation Centre will co-host a meeting on Saturday, April 9 in Washington DC, as a globally-focused pre-conference to the 2016 Council on Foundations Annual Conference. This day-long event will bring together key…
Council on Foundations Announces New Vice President of Public Policy
The Council on Foundations has named Hadar Susskind its Vice President of Public Policy, a new position intended to advance the Council’s public policy work on behalf of its members. Hadar joins the Council’s nationally recognized Public Policy and Legal Affairs team led by Sue Santa.
Hadar joins…
Washington Snapshot - January 21, 2016
Dear Readers: Due to the predictions that many of us in the DC metro area are going to be buried in snow by the end of this week, we are sending Washington Snapshot to you a day early. For those of you who are also prepping for cold weather—stay warm!
News from the Hill
Upcoming Ways & Means…
Washington Snapshot - January 15, 2016
News from the Hill
POTUS Delivers his Final State of the Union Address
In his final State of the Union address, President Obama spoke of his hope and vision for the future of the nation. Rather than listing specific policy plans, President Obama emphasized themes that harken back to the early…