The Council on Foundations and Independent Sector filed an amicus brief on December 12 in support of Fearless Foundation. We filed the brief because we believe that foundations, charitable nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and individuals have the right to exercise their views through giving, as protected by the First Amendment. That includes critical efforts to support historically marginalized groups. Join us to learn more about the case, its potential impact to the charitable sector, and why the Council and Independent Sector filed an amicus brief.

Hosted in partnership with:

THIS TRAINING IS SOLD OUT.

Led by Council on Foundations staff with collectively decades of experience with global philanthropy, the Global Grantmaking Essentials will also feature guest speakers with deep knowledge on specific issues or countries.

• Wednesday, October 9: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, October 10: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Wednesday, October 16: 1-5:00 p.m. ET

Who Should Attend

This training is primarily designed for grantmaking, program, or legal staff at U.S.-based foundations with no prior experience making global grants or for staff with working knowledge who are seeking additional insights and tools.  

Global Grantmaking Essentials is open to staff at independent and family foundations, corporate grantmakers, community foundations, and public charity grantmakers such as global intermediaries. This training is also open to Board members of foundations. 

About Global Grantmaking Essentials 

The Global Grantmaking Essentials course is built on the Council’s more than 40 years of experience in supporting foundations who work and grant internationally.  

This three-day training will provide attendees with a thorough understanding of the regulatory frameworks governing global grantmaking, offer tools and resources to help navigate these complex systems, and suggest better ways of operating internationally based on trends, data, and research. 

 Global Grantmaking Essentials also includes time for networking and discussion based on the type of grantmakers in attendance, providing unique space for dialogue and reflection among peers. 

Participants will explore the following during the course:

Introduction to Global Grantmaking 

• What are the various mechanisms or methods grantmakers can use to make international grants 
• Who are the main actors and which foundations do global grantmaking 
• What does the data say about global funding trends from the U.S. over time 

The Legal Basics of Global Grantmaking 

• What laws and regulations do global funders need to follow 
• What are expenditure responsibility and equivalency determination, and when to use each one 
• How do funders need to report on global grants  
• How to fund general support, capital assets, foreign governments, and international organizations 

The Scary Acronyms 

• What are OFAC, FATF, AML, CFT, FCPA, and FARA 
• How can global funders navigate sanctions, money-laundering, and counter-terrorism laws 
• What are trends in the global enabling environment for philanthropy 

Receiving Country Laws 

• How do other countries regulate their nonprofit sectors 
• What are some of the common challenges global funders face in getting money to nonprofits in other countries
• Which countries make it difficult to make grants to their nonprofits and which countries cannot receive grants from U.S. foundations 

Working with Intermediaries 

• What is an intermediary and why or when would they be used 
• How do U.S.-based intermediaries differ from those registered in other countries 
• What are the nuances in different types and structures of intermediaries 
• What are some reasons to choose one intermediary over another 

Locally Led Development 

• What is locally led development and similar ideas like localization, decolonization, shifting power, and funding proximate leaders
• How can funders authentically practice locally led development  
• What are some of the challenges funders face when practicing locally led development 

Please note, this course is limited to foundation staff and Board members only. Foundations registered outside of the U.S. are welcome to participate but please note the course is targeted to U.S.-based grantmakers with a focus on U.S. law as it impacts global grantmaking. 

The Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers course will help foundation staff use their resources effectively to advance public policies that support the greater good. Rather than focusing on what policies foundations should address, this training will focus on how to engage in policy advocacy to advance your goals. This training is designed for private foundation staff with a basic understanding of policy, but it is also applicable for staff at all experience levels whose work touches policy advocacy. 

Led by Council on Foundations staff and philanthropic leaders, this training will address policy advocacy strategies that support effective practices. Participants will gain helpful tools and resources while networking with peers who are developing and implementing their foundation’s advocacy strategy.

• Wednesday, September 25: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, September 26: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET

Participants will explore the following during the course:

The Big Picture

• Why engaging in policy advocacy is essential for foundations to achieve their goals
• A refresher on legal rules governing grantmaker funding and actions
• Inside the Foundation: Understanding staff roles and how to build internal support

Building understanding and support across the foundation for policy advocacy engagement

• How different staff roles across the foundation can support advocacy
• Characteristics of grantmaking that support effective policy advocacy
• Outside the Foundation: Working with others to advance policy 

Using all a foundation’s assets to advance policy

• Funding vehicles that support effective policy advocacy
• Building an effective relationship with nonprofit partners and grantees to advance advocacy
• Appropriate evaluations of partner contributions
• Real-life Challenges and Action Planning

Explore current challenges with fellow participants in peer breakout groups

• Discussion of initial action planning and next steps
• Additional support available from the Council on Foundation

Who should take this training?

• Private foundation staff with a basic understanding of policy work.
• Foundation staff of all experience levels that incorporate policy advocacy into their work - such as those in leadership, communications, grants management or strategic planning.

Please note, this course is limited to foundation staff and Board members only.

The Council's Government Affairs and Legal Resources team provided an overview of the IRS's proposed donor-advised fund (DAF) regulations. The proposed regulations clarify the definitions around DAFs, address excise taxes on taxable distributions made by a sponsoring organization from a DAF, and discuss rules around scholarships. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions during this webinar and shared insights that could help inform the Council's comments in response. 

Our Government Affairs and Legal Resources team continues to analyze this proposal and plans to submit comments to the IRS. Comments are due by January 16, 2024, so let us know how these changes could impact your foundation. To help inform our comments, please email govt@cof.org to let us know how these changes might impact your work. 

Call Resources

• Slides
• Summarized Q&A

Register Now!

As organizations committed to strengthening community foundations, CFLeads and the Council on Foundations are partnering to offer a new public policy and advocacy training course for community foundations. This updated training will provide community foundation leaders and staff with the knowledge and resources needed to excel in advocating for the nonprofits and communities doing the hard work of social change. 

Workshop Hours

• Tuesday, July 30: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, August 6: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET

Government policies and programs affect almost every aspect of our lives, from housing, healthcare and the environment to education, transportation, and safety.  For foundations striving to create equitable, inclusive, and widely prosperous communities, it is necessary to focus on strengthening and reimagining policies and systems.

Participation in advocacy is an essential strategy to advance the mission of community foundations. Yet a lack of understanding of the rules of advocacy and lobbying, confusion about the appropriate governance and risk management, as well as a dearth of tools and internal capacity needed to be successful prevents many community foundations from engaging in public policy. 

This learning opportunity is intended for CEOs and senior leadership staff from community foundations of all sizes that are committed to getting more involved in policy and advocacy work.

This training will provide community foundations across geographies and of all sizes with:

• Increased understanding of the importance of public policy to improve outcomes

• Improved policy practice

• Increased advocacy action

In this training, participants will:

• Understand a comprehensive picture of possible community foundation strategies to engage in effective public policy advocacy that advances the greater good

• Understand the complex dynamics around foundation staff’s relationships with policy advocacy organizations and explore the optimal relationship for your foundation

• Learn how to build support for advocacy among your foundation’s staff and board

• Learn how to improve your foundation’s grantmaking to more effectively participate in policy advocacy

Offered in partnership with: 

This course is sold out. Still interested in Global Grantmaking Essentials? Join us in October.

The Global Grantmaking Essentials course provides a thorough overview of the laws governing global grantmaking and offers practical solutions for foundation staff responsible for making grants abroad. Led by Council on Foundations staff with decades of collective experience with global philanthropy, this course will also feature guest speakers with deep knowledge on specific issues or countries.

Who Should Attend

This training is primarily designed for grantmaking, program, or legal staff at U.S.-based foundations with no prior experience making global grants or for staff with working knowledge who are seeking additional insights and tools.  

Global Grantmaking Essentials is open to staff at independent and family foundations, corporate grantmakers, community foundations, and public charity grantmakers such as global intermediaries. This training is also open to board members of foundations. 

About Global Grantmaking Essentials 

The Global Grantmaking Essentials course is built on the Council’s more than 40 years of experience in supporting foundations who work and grant internationally.  

This three-day training will provide attendees with a thorough understanding of the regulatory frameworks governing global grantmaking, offer tools and resources to help navigate these complex systems, and suggest better ways of operating internationally based on trends, data, and research. 

Global Grantmaking Essentials also includes time for networking and discussion based on the type of grantmakers in attendance, providing unique space for dialogue and reflection among peers. 

Course Topics

Introduction to Global Grantmaking 

• What are the various mechanisms or methods grantmakers can use to make international grants? 
• Who are the main actors and which foundations do global grantmaking? 
• What does the data say about global funding trends from the U.S. over time? 

The Legal Basics of Global Grantmaking 

• What laws and regulations do global funders need to follow? 
• What are expenditure responsibility and equivalency determination, and when to use each one? 
• How do funders need to report on global grants?  
• How to fund general support, capital assets, foreign governments, and international organizations? 

The Scary Acronyms 

• What are OFAC, FATF, AML, CFT, FCPA, and FARA?
• How can global funders navigate sanctions, money-laundering, and counter-terrorism laws? 
• What are trends in the global enabling environment for philanthropy? 

Receiving Country Laws 

• How do other countries regulate their nonprofit sectors? 
• What are some of the common challenges global funders face in getting money to nonprofits in other countries? 
• Which countries make it difficult to make grants to their nonprofits and which countries cannot receive grants from U.S. foundations? 

Working with Intermediaries 

• What is an intermediary and why or when would they be used? 
• How do U.S.-based intermediaries differ from those registered in other countries? 
• What are the nuances in different types and structures of intermediaries? 
• What are some reasons to choose one intermediary over another? 

Locally Led Development 

• What is locally led development and similar ideas like localization, decolonization, shifting power, and funding proximate leaders? 
• How can funders authentically practice locally led development?  
• What are some of the challenges funders face when practicing locally led development? 

Please note, this course is limited to foundation staff and board members only. Foundations registered outside of the U.S. are welcome to participate but the course is targeted to U.S.-based grantmakers with a focus on U.S. law as it impacts global grantmaking. 

Unable to attend this training? Global Grantmaking Essentials will be offered again October 9, 10, and 16, 2024. 

The Essentials of Policy Advocacy for Grantmakers course will help foundation staff use their resources effectively to advance public policies that support the greater good. Rather than focusing on what policies foundations should address, this training will focus on how to engage in policy advocacy to advance your goals. This training is designed for private foundation staff with a basic understanding of policy, but it is also applicable for staff at all experience levels whose work touches policy advocacy. 

Led by Council on Foundations staff and philanthropic leaders, this training will address policy advocacy strategies that support effective practices. Participants will gain helpful tools and resources while networking with peers who are developing and implementing their foundation’s advocacy strategy.

• Wednesday, March 13: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET
• Thursday, March 14: 1:00-5:00 p.m. ET

Participants will explore the following during the course:

The Big Picture

• Why engaging in policy advocacy is essential for foundations to achieve their goals
• A refresher on legal rules governing grantmaker funding and actions
• Inside the Foundation: Understanding staff roles and how to build internal support

Building understanding and support across the foundation for policy advocacy engagement

• How different staff roles across the foundation can support advocacy
• Characteristics of grantmaking that support effective policy advocacy
• Outside the Foundation: Working with others to advance policy 

Using all a foundation’s assets to advance policy

• Funding vehicles that support effective policy advocacy
• Building an effective relationship with nonprofit partners and grantees to advance advocacy
• Appropriate evaluations of partner contributions
• Real-life Challenges and Action Planning

Explore current challenges with fellow participants in peer breakout groups

• Discussion of initial action planning and next steps
• Additional support available from the Council on Foundation

Who should take this training?

• Private foundation staff with a basic understanding of policy work.
• Foundation staff of all experience levels that incorporate policy advocacy into their work - such as those in leadership, communications, grants management or strategic planning.

Please note, this course is limited to foundation staff and Board members only.

Join us for the November meeting of our Peer Learning Circle dedicated specifically to community foundation staff working on exploring, designing, or implementing organizational values-aligned grantmaking policies.

This event offers an opportunity to engage with fellow community foundation staff and gain insights into Values-Aligned Philanthropy. This Peer Learning Circle aims to provide valuable guidance and resources for foundations in the process of establishing grantmaking policies that align with their core values. This Peer Learning Circle convenes regularly, bringing together community foundation staff from across the country to foster connections, facilitate discussions, and share valuable learnings and experiences. We look forward to having you join us during 2023 Member Week! 

If you are community foundation staff and interested in this event, please email Nidale Zouhir for event registration details.