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.
One Nation: Rediscovering American Compassion
NOTE: This post originally appeared in the Huffington Post.
As a boy, I remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with my first grade class. We said it in unison; we stood together; and over time we came to understand what it meant.
As I got older, I would listen to the recorded voice of a young…
2015 Comments on Rulemaking for Form 990
The Council submitted comments to the Department of Treasury regarding the Form 990. These comments highlighted elements of the Form that our Legal Affairs team receives inquiries about most often, and that we've found to create issues for participants of our National Standards for U.S. Community…
The European Refugee Crisis: How Funders Can Help
Beginning in 2014, there has been a spike in the number of refugees arriving in Europe who are fleeing countries in conflict. During 2015, the number of arriving refugees has already more than doubled the amount of refugees who came to Europe in all of 2014. The unprecedented movement of people…
Three Stories Hurricane Katrina Told Me
Some people are drawn to snow-covered mountain peaks, others to the lush canopies of forests a meandering river, a shimmering plain. For me it is the call of the sea. The endless horizon brings me peace and each wave a grace note in our ecosystem’s symphony. It is the sea where I go to think…
Policy Preview: An Update on the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act
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Are you concerned about the state of higher education in the U.S.? This webinar features policy and foundation guest speakers who provided an overview of the status of Congressional reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. This legislation…
Everything You Need to Know About Impact Investing (in 1 Hour!)
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It seems like everyone is talking about impact investing these days… but is it right for you and your organization? In this webinar experts will elaborate upon what it is, how to decide if it’s right for your organization and explore some of the the…
Finding the Right Investment Staffing and Resources for Your Foundation
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Foundations use a variety of models in managing their investments. But given the pursuit of higher risk-adjusted returns, many foundations are exploring different ways to access the expertise they need and to manage increasingly complex…
Memories of a thirsty childhood
This piece was originally published in the Los Angeles Times on August 16, 2015.
Drought-shaming could become a popular pastime in California's driest summer. Egregious water wasters, especially the ones with massive lawns and high public profiles, are getting called out by reporters and humbled on…
Twitter Chat: Criminal Justice Reform and Philanthropy
Bipartisan consensus around criminal justice reform is growing nationally with more foundations increasing their efforts to change the way we think about prisons and public safety. As this issue continues to gain momentum, we ask how can philanthropy take a leadership role in reforming the…
Seeing Philanthropy in Action in Grand Rapids
Last week, I got to see philanthropy in action on a great trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan. After just a few days of meeting with philanthropic leaders in Western Michigan, I had new energy, new ideas, and more proof that collaboration is driving the field forward.
I was grateful to have been invited…
Shrinking Space for Civil Society and Philanthropy - New Reports and Trends
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The enabling environment for civil society and philanthropy is rapidly changing. The Council on Foundations has held several calls to bring together grantmakers to share strategies for operating in a dynamic regulatory environment, including…
The Role of Nonprofit Media in a Vibrant Civil Society
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The Council on Foundations, nonprofit media organizations, foundations, journalists, academics, and other stakeholders held a conversation about the role of nonprofit media in fostering a vibrant civil society in local communities.
Nonprofit media…
Global Regulation of Philanthropy
The Council develops substantive policy positions on behalf of its members; submits regulatory comments and letters to U.S. policymakers, foreign governments, and intergovernmental bodies; and advocates before domestic and international bodies that set policies impacting cross-border philanthropy…
Electronic Filing of Form 990
All 501(c)(3) charitable organizations are required to file the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 in accordance with the annual reporting requirements under Sec. 6033 of the Internal Revenue Code. This form asks for detailed information about the activities of the charity for the reporting…
Nonprofit Political Activity
501(c)(3) Charitable Organizations
Under current law, 501(c)(3) charitable organizations are prohibited from participating in, or intervening in (including the publishing and distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office…
D5: Policies, Practices, and Programs for Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
External Resource
To support leaders in their efforts to take meaningful action to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their organizations, D5 commissioned JustPartners, Inc. to identify the most effective policies, practices, and programs to advance DEI.
The Analysis of Policies, Practices, and…