Private Foundations
Private foundations make grants based on charitable endowments. The endowment funds come from one or a small handful of sources -- an individual, a family or a corporation. Because of their endowments, they are focused primarily on grantmaking and generally do not raise funds or seek public financial support the way public charities (like community foundations) must.
“Private foundation” is the umbrella term that includes corporate, independent, family, and operating foundations. As of 2011, there were 73,764 private foundations in the United States (Foundation Center, 2011).
In 2011, private foundations held more than $604 billion in assets and gave away more than $45 billion (Foundation Center, 2011).
Below is everything on our site for private foundations. Due to the large number of resources on our website, we highly recommend you use the site navigation or the search feature to find what you are looking for.
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 foundation…
Document Retention & Destruction Guidelines
Sample Document
This Document Retention and Destruction Policy of the Council on Foundations ("the Council") identifies the record retention responsibilities of staff, volunteers, members of the Board of Directors, and outsiders for maintaining and documenting the storage and destruction of the Council’s documents…
Public Disclosure Requirements for Foundations
Legal Compliance Guidance
Every organization exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code is required to disclose certain information to the public:
The organization’s exemption application, Form 1023, is subject to public disclosure, along with any documents supporting the application and any letters from…
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 data to…
Career Pathways
About the Career Pathways Program
Career Pathways, founded by the Council on Foundations in 2010, is a selective leadership development program that cultivates bold, representative, and inclusive decision-makers to lead the philanthropic sector. The program is rigorous, highly personal, and built…
New Bills Raise Concerns for Philanthropy
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On May 15, the House Ways and Means Committee held a mark up to consider five bills that would create new transparency and disclosure requirements for tax-exempt organizations, as well as increase penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of taxpayer information. The Committee approved all five…
Leading Locally 2025
Sign up for more information about Leading Locally 2025, coming to Minneapolis, MN in June!
Philanthropy's Response to the Haiti Humanitarian Crisis
Overview
Violence by groups armed with mostly American firearms has intensified in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, resulting in the internal displacement of 362,00 people, with nearly 50,000 people displaced since the beginning of the year. Due to the level of violence and insecurity, reduced…
Philanthropy's Response to the Taiwan Eathquake
Overview
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan causing massive landslides and destroying buildings and roads, causing at least 10 deaths. Despite being the most powerful earthquake in over 25 years, Taiwan's preventative measures and earthquake preparedness helped avoid mass casualties and…
Philanthropy's New Voice: Building Trust With Deeper Stories and Clear Language
Publication, Research
United States foundations are an essential element of America’s social sector, supporting causes from public libraries to groundbreaking research, to new approaches to building a more equitable world. But despite their reach, foundations have an identity problem. From small towns to Washington, D.C…
To Help Bridge Differences, Philanthropy Should Invest in Strong Institutions
This blog is part of the Council's Dialogue Across Difference series. In this space, we will share your viewpoints: In a time of polarization and mistrust, how can philanthropy bridge across difference?
Institutions are the vehicles through which we negotiate our differences. These days, though,…
Webinar Recording: Self-Dealing Concerns for Corporate and Private Foundations
Legal Compliance Guidance, Recording
In this webinar, the Council’s Legal Resources team took an in-depth look at the self-dealing rules applicable to private foundations under section 4941 of the Internal Revenue Code. This webinar provided an analysis of the relevant rules and regulations governing transactions between private…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - October Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - September Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - August Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine…
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - July Peer Learning Circle
The Council on Foundations proudly unveils an exciting new member benefit tailored for foundations of all types, DEI Peer Learning Circles. This engagement opportunity is designed to connect foundation staff of all levels across the country who are working to explore, design, implement, or refine…