Join Us on This Journey

Our 20-year strategic direction comes to life through how we show up for our members and partners every day. The Council serves as a guide and home for philanthropy, specifically:

  • Community foundations
  • Private independent and family foundations
  • Corporate grantmakers
  • Public grantmaking charities
  • Global grantmakers
  • Philanthropy serving organizations and individuals

Our 20-year direction is a living roadmap, designed to evolve alongside the sector. With the conclusion of our first five-year phase in 2025, we are currently integrating key insights and lessons learned to sharpen our focus for the next chapter. While our tactics adapt to meet the moment remains steadfast.

Strengthening Trust in Philanthropy

In 2021, the Council on Foundations launched a 20-year strategic direction to strengthen trust in philanthropy by embracing better ways of operating within organizations, building common ground between organizations, and expanding philanthropy’s opportunities to thrive across society. These three areas are rooted in decades of field knowledge and the science of building trust. When we advance in these three areas, we can unlock the incredible potential of philanthropy. 

How We Arrived at This Direction

We have learned from listening closely to our members, peer philanthropy-serving organizations, and field leaders about the challenges ahead: Trust is essential to lasting change, and the more we act alone, the more trust frays. Through this strategic direction, the Council seeks to help foundations move forward together with clarity and confidence.

A 20-year horizon reflects the scale of change required. Shifting how philanthropy operates and how it is perceived cannot be accomplished in a single grant cycle or strategic plan. It requires thoughtful, persistent work over time, guided by a shared direction and informed by what we learn along the way. 

Our Three Impact Areas

Our 20-year strategic direction focuses on three mutually reinforcing impact areas, each critical for building trust. Together, they describe how we’ll work alongside foundations of every type and perspective. 

Embrace Better Ways of Operating Within Organizations

Because improving our practice strengthens relationships.

Trust in philanthropy starts inside organizations. When foundations are clear in their purpose, thoughtful about their practices, and strong in their leadership, they build durable, long-term trust.

What you can expect from the Council:

  • Targeted efforts to develop leaders at all stages in their careers.
  • A supportive on-ramp to help those entering philanthropy gain the knowledge and skills needed to build trust in philanthropy.
  • Resources to raise the bar on philanthropic policies and practices.

What we aim to see by 2040:

  • Philanthropy leaders mirror the diversity of the communities they serve.
  • Leaders are key allies in advancing the evolution of philanthropy’s practices, ethical standards, and impact.  
  • Philanthropic institutions commonly employ practices that share power with their partners, balance rigor with grantees’ experience, and ground decision-making in community voices.  
  • Values-aligned grantmaking is a new norm, and the field is recognized as an exemplar of being mission-focused.
  • Philanthropic institutions use their power and influence to understand and address the root causes of the problems they seek to address.  

Build Common Ground

Because when we listen to each other, we can act together and achieve more.

No single foundation can address today’s challenges alone. Building trust in philanthropy requires funders to listen across differences, find shared priorities, and work together, especially when they bring different perspectives to the table.

What you can expect from the Council:

  • Opportunities to develop the heartsets, mindsets, and skillsets needed to effectively collaborate across differences.
  • An invitation to join conversations that build common ground, challenge your perspective, generate empathy, and renew relationships.
  • Opportunities for members to learn from each other and build long-term partnerships.
  • A supportive partner and convener for multi-sector initiatives and resources on collaboration best practices.

What we aim to see by 2040:

  • Philanthropy models difficult but transformative conversations.  
  • People across the ideological spectrum come together, actively listen to one another, and collaborate to move us forward as a society.
  • Collaborating and aligning funding becomes a new standard of practice in philanthropy.
  • Philanthropy is considered a critical facilitator and partner for nonprofits, government, and for-profits seeking to advance the greater good.

Expand Philanthropy’s Opportunities to Thrive Across Society

Because when we increase participation and trust in philanthropy, we build shared investment in creating a better future.

For philanthropy to truly advance the greater good, it must be understood, empowered, and defended. A thriving sector means charitable giving will continue to grow and foundations can remain focused on the communities they serve.  

What you can expect from the Council:

  • Advocacy for policies that empower individuals and organizations to give in alignment with their values.
  • Cultivation of a supportive federal policy environment.
  • An accurate, inspiring national narrative about philanthropy, how it works, and who participates in it.
  • Resources and advocacy to advance global grantmaking.

What we aim to see by 2040:

  • More individuals and organizations value philanthropic giving, and so more funds are given or committed to charitable causes.  
  • Growth in annual giving keeps pace with economic factors.
  • The tax code has shifted to include incentives to give more fairly.
  • Philanthropy is widely known as a field driven by service and purpose.
  • Philanthropy is one of the most trusted sectors in our society.  
  • U.S. philanthropy flows globally and is trusted as a resource to advance locally led initiatives in communities around the world.

Questions?

Connect with Council Staff