Embracing Better Ways of Operating
Recommended Best Practices in Managing Foundation Investments
Fundamentals
The Council's Board of Directors released this guidance memorandum in March 2010 and strongly recommends that when reviewing and approving foundation investment policies and procedures practices, all foundations—private and public—consider these best practices in foundation investment management.
Networking for Success: Building Networks Is Essential to Investment in Social Impact Bonds
Toolkit
Working in collaboration with the Center for American Progress, the Council co-hosted conversations among foundations, community development financial institutions, and investment firms about social impact bonds and Pay for Success. Out of these conversations, two issue briefs were created:
“…
Board Compensation
Fundamentals
Introduction
Should your foundation board members be compensated for service, or should they serve in a voluntary capacity? Whether you are considering this issue for the first time, or whether it’s a question that has arisen before, compensation has become more than an internal management…
FAQ: Agency Endowment Funds
Legal Compliance Guidance, Fundamentals
What is an agency endowment?
What types of organization can establish an agency endowment at a community foundation?
When a public charity establishes an agency endowment at a community foundation, which organization owns the contributed funds?
Since the agency is releasing legal…
What to Require of Grantees
Fundamentals, Legal Compliance Guidance
Good relationships between grantmakers and grantees promote more effective philanthropy. But there's nothing that can mess up a good partnership faster than an overzealous lawyer. In seeking to protect their foundation clients, lawyers can sometimes impose excessive requirements on grantees,…
Starting a Foundation
Fundamentals
Does the Council on Foundations provide assistance with starting a foundation?
Can we join the Council before our foundation is formed?
What are the general steps in starting a foundation?
Should we set up our foundation as a trust or a corporation?
What are the costs of starting a…
IRS Search Tool: Select Check
External Resource
Grantmakers searching for more detailed information about the charitable status of their potential grantees may find the answers they need in the IRS Select Check tool.
This IRS online search tool allows the user to:
(1) search the IRS public charity list, known as IRS Publication 78, for…
SDG Learning Circle for Foundations - June 2025
Join us for this peer-led event dedicated specifically to foundations working on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work.
Connect with foundation peers to learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development…
Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report: Administrative Expense Tables
The Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Administrative and Program Expense Tables provide your foundation the data you need to benchmark your organization's administrative, program, service, and qualifying distribution expenses against peers in the field. Containing data collected through the…
SDG Learning Circle for Foundations - March 2025
Join us for this peer-led event dedicated specifically to foundations working on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work.
Connect with foundation peers to learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development…
Listening to Learn: Your Feedback is Shaping the Future of the Council
Over the last five years, the Council on Foundations has been on a journey to become a learning organization—one that experiments with innovation, seeks fresh input, and keeps its eyes focused on the horizon. A key part of this commitment is listening to feedback from the 900+ organizations that…
SDG Learning Circle for Foundations February 2025 Meeting
Join us for this peer-led event dedicated specifically to foundations working on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or are open to learning more about how the SDGs can fit within their work.
Connect with foundation peers to learn about the United Nations Sustainable Development…
Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) Fundamentals Course - Virtual - September/October 2025
Taught by a variety of seasoned and experienced community foundation leaders and Council experts, this course helps community foundation staff and board members master the unique aspects of the community foundation field. You'll learn about effective practices, get helpful tools and information,…
Legal Matters for Community Foundations - Virtual - September 2025
Training Hours
Tuesday, September 9: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, September 11: 1:00-4:30 p.m. ET
Throughout the training, sessions will include:
Insight from Council's top-notch legal team that interacts with nearly 2,000 foundation leaders each year
Trends spotted by our broader team,…
Community Foundation Excellence (CFE) Fundamentals Course - Virtual - August 2025
Taught by a variety of seasoned and experienced community foundation leaders and Council experts, this course helps community foundation staff and board members master the unique aspects of the community foundation field. You'll learn about effective practices, get helpful tools and information,…
Legal Matters for Community Foundations - In-Person - June 2025
This training is a preconference event at Leading Locally 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you would like to register for the Legal Matters for Community Foundations workshop ONLY, use the "Register Now" button above. If you would like to add this training to your Leading Locally 2025 conference…