Membership Requirements for Community Foundations

• be a tax-exempt, nonprofit, autonomous, publicly supported, philanthropic institution organized and operated primarily as a permanent collection of endowed funds for the long-term benefit of a defined geographic area no larger than three states

• have a governing body broadly representative of the general public

• maintain a broad grants program to multiple grantees that is limited neither by field of interest nor to serving only parts of the population (You may also provide direct charitable services.)

• operate primarily as a grantmaking institution, carrying out diverse charitable purposes specified by the governing body and donors

• have a long-term goal to increase the assets held as permanent unrestricted endowment

• pledge to adhere to the Statement of Ethical Principles

Membership Requirements for Corporate Grantmakers

• a corporate foundation , that is, a tax-exempt organization that derives its grantmaking funds primarily from a corporation. A corporate foundation may maintain close ties with the donor company, but must be a legally separate organization subject to the same rules and regulations as other private foundations.

• a corporate giving program , that is, a grantmaking program established within a company. Corporate giving programs do not have an endowment; their expense is planned as part of the company’s annual budget. They are not subject to the same reporting standards as a corporate foundation.

• a corporation with both a foundation and a giving program

All corporate grantmakers applying for membership in the Council must pledge to adhere to the Statement of Ethical Principles.

Membership Requirements for Family Foundations

• be a tax exempt organization that makes grants based on charitable endowments

• pledge to adhere to the Statement of Ethical Principles

Membership Requirements for Private/Independent Foundations

• be a tax exempt organization that makes grants based on charitable endowments

• pledge to adhere to the Statement of Ethical Principles

Membership Requirements for Operating Foundations

• be a tax exempt organization that makes grants based on charitable endowments

• pledge to adhere to the Statement of Ethical Principles

Membership Requirements for Public Foundations

• be a tax exempt organization that makes grants based on charitable endowments

• pledge to adhere to the Statement of Ethical Principles

Membership Requirements for International Foundations (Non-U.S.)

• be outside of the U.S. and organized to focus primarily on grantmaking that crosses international borders directly or indirectly and on domestic grantmaking within any country that advances international understanding and cooperation.

• pledge to adhere to the Statement of Ethical Principles

In early 2010, the Council Board approved full voting rights for Tribal Philanthropic Programs meeting one of the following membership criteria:

• A grantmaking 501(c)(3) organization established or primarily funded by a tribal government,

• A direct grantmaking program of a tribal government recognized under Section 7871, or

• A grantmaking program or organization created under tribal law