As the war in Ukraine is in its third year, the global landscape is shifting. Initial waves of emergency support are tapering off, geopolitical priorities are evolving, and fatigue is setting in among some donors. Yet, Ukraine remains at a critical juncture — militarily, economically, and socially. The coming months will define not only Ukraine’s future but also the resilience of democratic values and global security.
In this context, philanthropy plays an essential role in sustaining momentum, addressing urgent needs, and ensuring long-term recovery. But as attention wanes, the risk of disengagement grows. Uncertainty around U.S. foreign aid is already affecting government donor support for Ukraine, while philanthropic contributions are showing signs of decline.
So what actually happens if funding declines? What are the broader global stakes? And how can funders — both those already engaged and those considering involvement — strategically contribute at this pivotal moment?
Hosted by Foundations for Ukraine in collaboration with Philea, and the Council on Foundations, this session will bring together philanthropic actors to examine:
Volodymyr Yermolenko — Ukrainian philosopher, writer, and editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, analyzing Ukraine’s fight in the context of democracy and global security.
Olha Aivazovska — Chair of Civil Network OPORA, civic activist, and expert in democracy and international advocacy for Ukraine’s resilience.
Foundations for Ukraine is a new initiative dedicated to strengthening global philanthropic support for Ukraine by connecting foundations, grant makers, and other philanthropic actors to align efforts, coordinate actions, and increase impact.
In January 2025, the 119th Congress was sworn in — and, with key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire at the end of this year, Congress has started working on a tax package. It is essential that we use this moment to ensure legislators understand philanthropy and our priorities.
At the same time, with the Trump Administration releasing a flurry of new executive orders, there are many issues that directly or indirectly impact philanthropy — many of which may be decided by the courts. To help philanthropic leaders navigate this shifting landscape, the Council is hosting a series of Member Policy Briefings tailored to our member audiences.
Member Policy Briefings provide a forum for philanthropic leaders to stay informed and exchange perspectives on how the evolving policy environment may impact philanthropy. There are many additional opportunities to learn and stay connected to what’s happening, which you can find by visiting our policy events page.
These briefings are exclusively for Council members and by invitation only. If your organization is not represented in one of the groups below, or if you would like the Council to support a call for a different group, please contact Melissa Nolan, Manager of Engagement, at the Council on Foundations.
Exclusively for CEOs, Presidents, or Executive Directors of community foundations with Management and General Expenses of less than $1,999,999.
CEOs, Presidents, or Executive Directors of active Council members of largest community foundations with Management & General Expenses (M&GE) $2,000,000 and up. Contact Melissa Nolan for meeting details.
Exclusively for leaders from fiscal sponsors and intermediary grantmakers, including CEOs and General Counsels.
Exclusively for Presidents, CEOs, and Executive Directors of family, independent, and private operating foundations with assets above $600,000,000.
Starting this summer, we will be hosting private policy huddles on a weekly basis on Wednesdays from 12:00 – 12:30 PM Eastern. Contact Melissa Nolan for meeting details.
For CEOs and senior staff of global grantmaking foundations who are members of the Council. This group meets every Friday — for more information contact Brian Kastner.
This private peer discussion is exclusively for Presidents, CEOs, and Executive Directors at Philanthropy-Serving Organizations (PSOs) that are members of the Council to stay informed and exchange perspectives on how the evolving policy environment may impact philanthropy. These briefings are exclusively for Council members and by invitation only; please contact Melissa Nolan, Manager of Engagement, at the Council on Foundations.
These briefings will be held monthly on Wednesday at 3pm (Eastern).
Building Together is a sector-wide gathering for philanthropic professionals eager to connect and collaborate across differences. This isn’t just another conference — it’s a dynamic learning experience where you’ll build the skills, strategies, and relationships needed to navigate divides and strengthen our shared future.
Do you have a success story, case study, real-life example, or practical application of how your work supports connecting and collaborating across differences? We'd love to invite you to design a session. Learn more about our process and submit your idea by July 10.
Fill out the form to be among the first to receive updates about Building Together 2026.
Total transactions represent the number of gifts and grants processed annually (including supporting organizations). The average transaction size represents the total dollar value of gifts plus the total dollar value of grants divided by the total number of transactions.
Gifts per capita is calculated by dividing the foundation’s total gifts (including supporting organizations) by the population of the foundation’s service area. The service area is defined by each community foundation.
The distribution rate is calculated by dividing the foundation’s total grants by total assets (including supporting organizations) at the end of the foundation’s fiscal year. The percentage of total assets in donor-advised funds (Percent Total Assets DAF) is the total amount of IRS-classified donor-advised funds divided by total foundation assets.
The following is a list of Annual Survey participants sorted by asset size, supplemented by publicly available information where available.