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.
Strategy for Success
The following infographic was prepared by Mark Neithercut, of Neithercut Philanthropy Advisors. You can also see his earlier graphic, Six Misconceptions About Family Foundations.
StoryCorps is Coming to the Council on Foundations 2014 Annual Conference
What was your life path that led you to philanthropy?
What do you count as your biggest accomplishment in this field?
Can you describe the greatest obstacle you have had to overcome in your career?
StoryCorps, a national oral history project, is coming to the Council on Foundations' 2014…
Washington Snapshot - May 23, 2014
Last Chance: Public Policy Preconference
We are delighted with the level of interest we’ve received for our inaugural Council on Foundations Public Policy Seminar! The event, which takes place on Saturday, June 7th, from 9:30 am-4:30 pm at the Washington Hilton in Dupont Circle, is a preconference…
Washington Snapshot - May 16, 2014
Just Announced - Public Policy Preconference
We are thrilled to announce our inaugural Council on Foundations Public Policy Seminar on Saturday, June 7th, from 9:30 am-4:30 pm at the Washington Hilton in Dupont Circle. The seminar is a preconference to our 2014 Annual Conference: Philanthropy…
Rhode Island Community Foundation breaks the mold with Innovation Fellowships
Lessons Learned
Jessica David, vice president of Strategy and Community Investments for the Rhode Island Foundation says the Innovation Fellowship been an ongoing learning process in a range of ways. Among her key takeaways for managing an initiative that is a departure from traditional…
Democratic Practice
Democratic Practice
This year's conference is centered on our spotlight issue the role of philanthropy in an increasingly polarized and fractured society. The conversation will be structured around five of the most contentious issues being addressed today by philanthropy, our nation, and our…
Washington Snapshot - May 9, 2014
The IRA Charitable Rollover - Working Toward Permanence & Expansion
Yesterday, Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL-18) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3) introduced H.R. 4619, legislation to make the IRA charitable rollover, which expired December 31, 2013, permanent. The Council has been…
When Community Foundations Convene, Collaborate and Connect - The Artificial Reef Project at the Community Foundation of Collier County
The problem was as vast as the ocean – or in our case, the Gulf of Mexico, floor. Over time, the reef system in the Gulf waters bordering Collier County in SW Florida had been destroyed by hurricanes and shifting currents. For fish and other marine life, there was nowhere to run – or hide –…
19 Years Searching for a Cure to AIDS
A lot has been accomplished over the years since HIV/AIDS first was discovered. Scientists have come a long way toward finding a cure, and in the process many of those afflicted with the disease are living much longer than in the past.
It’s the incremental steps made by scientists around the world…
Win-Win Solutions for Community Challenges
At a recent gubernatorial candidate forum I attended in Rhode Island, a Brown University professor presented on the challenges of climate change for the Ocean State. His last slide gave three examples of “win-win solutions.” At the top of the list was the Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI…
Washington Snapshot - May 2, 2014
First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden Announce Philanthropy-Joining Forces Impact Pledge
This week, at the American Red Cross national headquarters, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden joined Council President and CEO Vikki Spruill, Chairman of the Board of the American Red Cross Bonnie McElveen-…
Announcing the Philanthropy-Joining Forces Impact Pledge
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden
Launch Philanthropy-Joining Forces Impact Pledge
Unveil Veterans Philanthropy Exchange
This week, at the American Red Cross national headquarters, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden joined Council President and CEO Vikki Spruill,…
Council Comments on Treasury/IRS Priorities
The Council on Foundations wrote to the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) this week to urge them to prioritize several regulations and guidance documents that impact our members. Each year, the Priority Guidance Plan identifies and prioritizes those tax issues that the…
Investing in College Success
Smart investors believe in California. They flock to it for the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship that has made it the world’s 8th largest economy. Now, with Los Angeles County facing a major college graduation crisis, these same smart investors are backing the educational future of low-…
Seasons of Giving - Spring 2014
The Council on Foundations is excited to launch Seasons of Giving, a quarterly newsletter with valuable insights to help you advance your work and increase your impact.
This newsletter will provide background on some of the major events and trends in the field and highlight resources…
Philanthropic Leaders Pledge $170 Million to Support Veterans and Military Families
Today, over 30 philanthropic organizations and corporations announced pledges totaling more than $170 million over the next five years to support veterans and military families. The Philanthropy-Joining Forces Impact Pledge was announced today by Joining Forces and a coalition of leading…