Working with Government
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Better Stories, Better Language: A Communications Workshop Series 2026
After a year of research, the Council and the University of Florida’s Center for Public Interest Communications released “Philanthropy’s New Voice: Building Trust With Deeper Stories and Clear Language" in April 2024. As the largest study of narratives in philanthropy, it offers science-backed…
Philanthropic organizations face heightened attention and expectations. To support Council members, our Legal Resources team hosted a webinar on what philanthropic organizations need to know to engage confidently and responsibly in civic engagement work.This session covered what organizations can…
On September 25, 2025, President Trump issued a memorandum addressing domestic terrorism and organized political violence. Find our summary of the provisions in the memo below.Section 1. Domestic Terrorism and Organized Political Violence.The recent influx in political violence is not a series of…
Trump Accounts Explainer
Updated July 7, 2026What are Trump Accounts?Trump Accounts are new accounts—structured as Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) but with special rules—that are created or organized for the exclusive benefit of a child. U.S. citizens with social security numbers are eligible. Once the child turns…
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
The Council’s Public Policy Action Network is a members-only group of foundation leaders committing their voices, experiences, and networks to engage and educate federal elected officials to foster a policy environment in which philanthropy can thrive. Policymakers depend on the voices and…
This series is a collaboration between the University of Florida’s Center for Public Interest Communications and the Council on Foundations. These three workshops will offer you the skills and tools to tell more complex, robust stories about the charitable sector and your work. You'll learn how to…
WASHINGTON—Earlier this week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filed a joint motion asking the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas to approve a consent judgement which would allow churches and religious organizations to endorse political candidates in connection with their…
How Foundations Can Affect Family Economic Stability Through Advocacy
How can funders drive lasting, systemic change in their communities? In this session, the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga and The Pew Charitable Trusts will highlight recent collaborative efforts in Tennessee to reform court-enforced debt collection practices. Through real-world…
Responding to a Congressional Inquiry
Legal Compliance Guidance
Developed for the Council on Foundations by Christopher J. Armstrong, Partner at Holland & Knight
Congress’s power to conduct inquiries, including information requests, the issuance of subpoenas, and public hearings has long been recognized by the courts as part of Congress’s power to…
Value of Philanthropy
Research
Download these one-pagers to help show the value of philanthropy in communities across the country.
Generic Value of Philanthropy
Value of Philanthropy in the United States
These documents highlight the value of philanthropy in specific states:
Alabama
Arizona
California
Connecticut…
Legal Compliance Guidance
This page outlines the range of purposes that qualify an organization for tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It explains how the IRS and courts interpret key terms — especially "charitable" — and how those interpretations shape eligibility.
Permissible Exempt…