Mastering Foundation Law

The Council on Foundations's Compendium of Legal Resources (“Compendium”) is a comprehensive guide to foundation law for the non-lawyer. It is easy to use, self-directed, and regularly updated.

The Council developed the Compendium as a direct response to requests from our members to publish new legal desktop guides. Rather than update old materials that could quickly turn into unusable books on a shelf whenever the law was changed, the Council created a series of chapters covering various legal topics that can be accessed electronically.

All chapters of the Compendium are free to members as a benefit of Council membership!

• What Is the Compendium of Legal Resources?
• Which Chapters Are Available?
• How Do Members Access Chapters for Free?
• How Do Nonmembers Purchase the Compendium?

What is the Compendium of Legal Resources?

Mastering Foundation Law: The Council on Foundations Compendium of Legal Resources is a collection of chapters on legal topics that can be accessed electronically. The Compendium allows all readers--even those without legal training--to understand the laws impacting philanthropy.

Each chapter delves into a separate topic of foundation law and is written by Council attorneys with contributions from other experienced attorneys. There are a significant number of topics intended to benefit community and private foundations separately. The chapters also include tips for incorporating relevant law into your foundation's policies, procedures, and workplans.

Because the laws and regulations affecting foundations sometimes change unexpectedly, the Compendium will refresh to remain current, and new chapters will be added periodically.

Which Chapters Are Available?

These chapters are currently available:

• Starting a Foundation: Formation and Considerations
• An Overview of the Law Governing Community Foundations
• Legal Considerations for Corporate Foundations
• A Guide to Advocacy and Lobbying: Navigating the Rules
• Foundation Finance and Investment Management
• What to Expect from an Audit
• Charitable Solicitation Registration and Other State Fundraising Regulations
• Supporting Organizations
• Disaster Assistance and Emergency Hardship Funds: Charitable Assistance for Individuals and Communities
• International Grantmaking: A Guide for Funders Making Grants Outside the United States
• Expenditure Responsibility: Step by Step
• Economic Development as a Charitable Activity
• Fiscal Sponsorship
• How to Calculate the Public Support Test
• Scholarships

How Do Members Access Chapters for Free?

Members of the Council may download each chapter for free through the above chapter links. 

How Do Nonmembers Purchase the Compendium?

The individual chapters of the Compendium are available for purchase by nonmembers. Select the link above for the desired chapter and click the nonmember purchase button at the bottom of the page. The cost of the individual chapters varies based on the length of the material. Chapters are priced at $149. Purchasers receive the chapters as downloadable PDFs.