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.
Flint Neighbors Connect the Blocks
Over the last two years, the City of Flint has been working on its first master plan since 1960. It serves as a blueprint for land use over the next 20 years.
This post is part of the #CF100 Series of blog posts. The Council on Foundations is marking the 100th anniversary of the nation’s first…
Strategic Partner
The Greater Houston Community Foundation donor-centered focus helps philanthropists make a bigger impact
Lessons Learned
Ramping up its advisory services for local philanthropists has been a multi-year process for the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Renee Wizig-Barrios, Senior Vice…
A Historic Culture Threatened by Wildfires
This blog was originally posted by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. Visit their website for more information.
Does it seem to you that we are hearing more about wildfires?
There’s a reason: they are increasing in frequency and intensity and occurring over a longer period of months. According…
Mental Health and Military Families
Join the Council for a briefing by Purdue University’s Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) on Monday, August 11 at 1:00 PM ET, regarding mental health issues faced by Active, Guard, and Reserve service members and their families.
After 13 years at war, our nation has lost over 5,800 service…
Washington Snapshot - August 1, 2014
In this week's Washington Snapshot:
August Recess
Council August Tool Kit
Dynamic Scoring Hearing
Eric Cantor Resigns
New Bills
Social Impact Bonds Senate Bill
Regulatory Updates
And more!
Read this issue today!
A Transformational Gift from an Unexpected Source
The Elkhart County Community Foundation's mission:
To improve the quality of life in Elkhart County by inspiring generosity.
This post is part of the #CF100 Series of blog posts. The Council on Foundations is marking the 100th anniversary of the nation’s first community foundation, The…
Telling the Stories of Community Foundations Through Video
I dare you to watch the video below and not smile.
It’s ok – I’ll wait the three and a half minutes it will take you to watch it. Just click “play” and I’ll pick up this post when you’re done.
So, was I right?
Not only did you smile, but I bet this wonderful kid – known online as Kid President –…
Washington Snapshot - July 25, 2014
Just Announced: August Recess Toolkit
Have you scheduled time with your Congressional delegation during August recess? If so, we have just the tools and resources you might need . . .
In the past few editions of our weekly Washington Snapshot newsletter, we have been previewing an upcoming policy…
Dollar-a-day giving circle creates new philanthropists in Memphis
“You can do a lot with $1.” A simple but powerful phrase at the heart of GiVE 365, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis’ dollar-a-day giving circle. Formed in 2010, GiVE 365 unites and informs emerging philanthropists to make a collective impact on Greater Memphis. Members donate $365 a year…
The Austin Giving Pledge: A Call to Action for Our Future
Austin, Texas, is the top spot to be an entrepreneur, make movies, get fit, have a dog, and eat barbeque—but as recently as a decade ago we ranked near the bottom of per capita giving. While other Texas cities, like Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio, have a long history of philanthropy,…
Bipartisan House Super-Majority Passes "America Gives More Act"
This afternoon, the United States House of Representatives passed an important legislative package impacting philanthropy, the “America Gives More Act of 2014” (H.R. 4719), with a bipartisan super-majority vote of 277-130.
While a sizable number of Democrats voted against the bill because of…
Washington Snapshot - July 17, 2014
Breaking News: House Passes Key Charitable Bill
Bill Would Simplify Excise Tax to 1% & Make IRA Rollover Permanent
We’re excited to report that this morning, the United States House of Representatives passed an important legislative package impacting philanthropy, the “America Gives More Act of…
Dream-maker: The Foundation for the Mid South helps see the possibilities, secure substantial funding
Lessons Learned
Ivye Allen, President of the Foundation for the Mid South offered some advice on how to be better positioned to tap public and private funding to support local community efforts. Here are some of her takeaways:
Narrow your focus: With communities, schools or organizations facing…
Bringing the community together in unexpected ways: A successful online giving challenge
In conjunction with our 90th Anniversary, the Connecticut Community Foundation hosted our first online giving challenge, Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills in November 2013.
This post is part of the #CF100 Series of blog posts. The Council on Foundations is marking the 100th…
Washington Snapshot - July 11, 2014
Welcome back! We hope all of our readers had a wonderful 4th of July holiday weekend.
Coming Soon - Council Advocacy Toolkit
As Congress breaks at the end of the month for August recess, we know many of our readers will want to connect with their elected officials as they spend time back in their…
BLOOM Takes Root in Los Angeles to Impact Young Black Men and Boys
For nearly 100 years, the California Community Foundation (CCF) has been defined by the diverse passions of the more than 1,700 donors who share a dream for a better future. CCF’s initiative, Building a Lifetime of Options & Opportunities for Men (BLOOM), exemplifies this passion by addressing…