Membership Types
Community Foundations
Community Foundations seek support from the public and administer funds from various donors in a defined geographic area, typically no larger than a state.
Private Grantmakers
Private Grantmakers include private, independent, and family foundations, generally founded by an individual, family, or group of individuals.
Corporate Grantmakers
Corporate Grantmakers include corporate foundations and corporate giving programs that are funded by companies as separate legal entities.
Grantmaking Public Charities
Public charities are grantmaking organizations that raise and administer funds from various individual and organizational donors.
Non-US & Tribal Grantmaker
Foundations that are outside of the US. Tribal Grantmakers use grants to support native communities in the US and globally.
Non-Grantmakers
Non-grantmakers can join as associate members. This includes for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations, and sole-practitioners that provide services to support the philanthropic sector.
Why Join the Council on Foundations?
We are charting a course for the field where funders display high integrity, earn and maintain the public's trust, and serve as excellent stewards of philanthropic resources. We look forward to having you join us!
For more information about Council on Foundations membership, contact a member of our team at membership@cof.org or via phone at 202-991-2225 or 800-673-9036 for those outside the United States.
What Our Members Say
I can count on the Council to keep me posted on developments that we absolutely must understand to operate within the bounds of increasingly restrictive and complex regulations.
John Hecklinger
President and CEO
Global Fund for Children
The Council provides the resources and channels to stay connected and aligned and develop agendas to advance our field together.
Kristi Knous
President
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
The Council has helped build a community of practice for philanthropy to thoughtfully and strategically connect with each other.
Seyron Foo
Senior Program Officer
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
I especially appreciate the Council’s deep legal and policy expertise as critical support for my entire staff to do their work better and advance our mission as an organization.
Deidre Lind
President & CEO
Mayor's Fund for Los Angeles
As the primary voice for foundations, the Council is well-positioned to effectively advocate for the sector and advance our ability to serve communities.
Nick Deychakiwsky
Senior Program Officer
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
The Council is a significant voice for all types of foundations in the nation. In particular, its legal services are second-to-none. Also, its presence and voice on Capitol Hill in DC is significant in educating Congress and its Staff. The Council offers a wide variety of counsel, information and documents critical to carrying out the business of any foundation.
Randy Royster
President & CEO
Albuquerque Community Foundation
The legal team is fantastic! The Philanthropy Exchange conversations are valuable. The events create an opportunity to connect with organizations who do similar work.
Liz Hamburg
Executive Director
Black Hills Area Community Foundation
We receive a great deal of value from the Council's legal services, online resources, annual salary and benefits survey, and annual conferences.
Eileen Ellsworth
President & CEO
Community Foundation for Northern Virginia
Ready to join the Council?
The Council on Foundations fosters an environment where philanthropy can thrive and cultivates a community of diverse and skilled philanthropic professionals and organizations who lead with integrity, serve as ethical stewards, and advocate for progress.