Philanthropy Exchange is a peer-to-peer platform that connects Council members through shared interests, topics or resources. On the Exchange members can:
Learn more about the Exchange by contacting, Jessica Chaparro.
All information on this website, and all publications, articles, email correspondence, and telephone consultations provided by Council attorneys and legal staff are intended for informational purposes only and not as part of an attorney-client relationship. Council attorneys are not licensed in every state and cannot provide legal representation. The information is not a substitute for expert legal, tax, or other professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances and may not be relied upon for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Council members may email legal@cof.org with inquiries and for more information.
Candid and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy (CDP) recently released a report "Philanthropy and COVID-19: Examining two years of giving" to see how philanthropy has responded to the pandemic. In partnership with the Council on Foundations, CDP and Candid presented a webinar that highlighted the key learnings and provided recommendations for funders as the world continues to struggle with the impact of COVID-19.
Key questions addressed included:
Director of Research
Candid
Vice President
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
President and CEO
Greater Washington Community Foundation
Vice President, Membership, Development and Finance
Council on Foundations
President & CEO
Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation
This webinar was funded by the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation and co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations, Candid and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
Recent data and research from sources such as the Edelman Trust Barometer suggest declining trust in nonprofits and philanthropy in the United States. Fraying trust in institutions, perceptions that nonprofits and philanthropy are politicized, intensifying critiques of philanthropy as a “ruse” or self-promotion, increasing societal polarization, and well-publicized scandals all may play a part.
How does declining trust in institutions affect our ability as nonprofit organizations to make social change? Could it impact charitable giving? Lead to new governmental regulations? Or make it difficult to build the kinds of partnerships that advance our work? And what can and should philanthropy do to rebuild that trust?
This panel discussed current challenges, opportunities, and examples to help guide our work.
In partnership with
By threading diversity, equity, inclusion throughout our core programming, like the Policy Summit, HR Retreat, and Leading Together, we will help members deepen their knowledge, improve their practice, and access the support they need to make their organizations and the field more diverse, equitable and inclusive.
Beyond integrating DEI in core programming, we are committed to closing diversity gaps in philanthropic leadership, an outcome we pursue in part through:
For those who were historically under-represented to occupy leadership positions, for boards and staffs of philanthropic organizations nationally mirror the diversity of the populations they support, and for studies, like the GSB, to show no disparities in pay or tenure by race/gender.
For all Council members to realize that embracing practices that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion is core to achieving their missions.
Through partnership with colleague organizations specifically focused on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, we’ll help our members make early progress on their DEI journey. By centering the work of field leaders and equity experts, we will meet our members where they are and encourage deeper engagement.
Given that embracing DEI is fundamental to achieving the Council’s mission, the board and staff are actively engaged. The staff is guided by an employee-led Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) committee that helps ensure that our policies, practices, and procedures contribute to an inclusive and welcoming environment where staff can fully and authentically contribute their talents and thrive in their roles. Learn more about working at the Council.
Led by the Council on Foundations Legal Team, this workshop is flexibly organized to ensure that your broad legal questions for administering funds, grants, and community foundation activities are addressed. The legal team will provide technical and practical understanding of complex rules and regulations.
Throughout the workshop, sessions will be curated by
With each session, there will be time for questions and a deep exploration of the answers. This workshop is open to any board or staff member from any community foundation that is eager to dive into the legalities of our business model and unlock the truth to effective management and leadership of a community foundation.
(2 Day Virtual Series)
Specific topics will be defined in advance of the workshop as attendees begin to submit ideas, pressing issues, and assist with the defining of sessions. This event is designed to be time sensitive and relevant to current issues. The format will be discussion-oriented, question and answer-based learning alongside peer sharing.
The SDGs provide a framework for foundations to lead together with governments, civil society, and the private sector to create a better world, in the US and around the globe.
Hate-related violence has been on the rise for several years in the U.S., as have extremist groups whose work targets specific communities based on race, ethnicity, and other characteristics. Even before the recent violent attempt to take over the U.S. Capitol raised these issues to a new level of awareness, our members have been actively engaged in finding ways to make sure that their values of fairness and equity are reflected in their funding practices.
Whether the program started last year or 75 years ago, these endeavors are ongoing offerings.
Service to foundations is in our DNA. While we may have started with community foundations, we've grown throughout our history to serve foundations and institutional givers of all kinds.
The Council community includes public grantmaking charities that play an important bridging role in serving both individual and institutional donors. Recognizing their unique needs, activities across the Council provide the resources, opportunities, and advice that grantmaking charities need to build trusted partnerships and expand philanthropy’s opportunities to thrive.
Gain access to our online member directory, where you can connect with peers, attend in-person Council events, and join our online networking platform, the Philanthropy Exchange.
Take advantage of member-exclusive discounts on trainings and capacity-building programs to deepen your learning, including conferences, summits, in-person workshops, and webinars.
Our extensive legal library contains many helpful resources that are relevant to public grantmaking charities of all shapes and sizes.
The Council often convenes members in working groups, task forces, and committees to help inform our work and ensure that it reflects sector needs. Recent opportunities for involvement include:
Reach out to the Engagement Team to explore ways you can volunteer your expertise. to explore ways you can volunteer your expertise.
Work with our Government Affairs team to build your capacity to advocate on behalf of nonprofits and your community and inform the Council's public policy agenda.
Remain up to date on the challenges and opportunities shaping philanthropy and share stories about your organization's impact through exclusive communications, including our members-only e-newsletters.
The Council has served private philanthropy since 1964, including both family and independent foundations. As a national community of grantmakers, the Council is proud to offer a variety of services and opportunities for private foundations that reflect the diversity of the field. From advocacy and policy courses to guidance on global grantmaking and peer spaces for CEOs of private foundations, the Council helps private philanthropy further their missions and become more trusted partners.
Gain access to our online member directory where you can connect with peers, attend in-person Council events, and join our online platform, the Philanthropy Exchange.
For Executives:
For Investments and Finance Staff:
For Programs and Global Staff:
For Legal and Policy Staff:
For Communications and HR Staff:
Take advantage of member-exclusive discounts on trainings and capacity-building programs to deepen your learning, including conferences, summits, in-person workshops, and webinars.
Boost your understanding of sector-specific legal issues and access our regularly updated Legal Compendium and Legal Resources team to stay in the know on legal matters impacting the sector.
The Council often convenes members in working groups, task forces and committees to help inform and shape our work. Recent opportunities include:
Reach out to the Engagement Team to explore ways you can volunteer your expertise. to explore ways you can volunteer your expertise.
Work with our Government Affairs team to build your capacity to advocate on behalf of nonprofits and your community and inform the Council's public policy agenda.
Simplifying the Private Foundation Excise Tax – For decades, the Council has advocated for a simplified version of the excise tax. In December 2019, the private foundation excise tax was modified from the historical two-tiered system to a flat rate of 1.39%. when H.R. 1865 (116th Congress) passed on December 20 and took effect upon President’s signature.
Reach out to our Government Affairs team to learn more to learn more.
Remain up to date on the challenges and opportunities shaping philanthropy and share stories about your organization's impact through exclusive communications, including our members-only e-newsletters.
Grantmaker Salary And Benefits Survey (GSB) - Since 1980, the Council's Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey has provided the sector with the most comprehensive data on staff composition and compensation in the United States. Grantmakers rely on this annual report to plan budgets, benchmark personnel policies and practices, determine salary levels for new and existing staff, and more.
Council On Foundations & Commonfund Study Of Investment Of Endowments For Private And Community Foundations (CCSF) Report - The CCSF report is the field’s most comprehensive and authoritative study on investment and governance policies and practices. The 2020 CCSF studies 260 private and community foundations, representing $115.4 billion in assets. Topics covered include:
Receive personalized support from Council staff on issues ranging from fundamentals of operating a foundation to global grantmaking, as well as access to our members-only grantmaking resources center on cof.org.
The Council has served corporate philanthropy since 1964. As a national steward of corporate philanthropy over the years, we have fostered networks of grantmakers, produced strategic resources, shared promising practices, and championed the social impact of companies throughout the philanthropic sector. The Council believes corporations can and do serve as active partners with government and civil society in finding new ways to address the profound social and environmental challenges we face.
Convene and engage with grantmakers across the philanthropic sector and your corporate grantmaking peers.
Deepen your knowledge of philanthropy and grow your career through trainings and cohorts.
Learn compliance standards, governance, and tax regulations from our Legal Team.
The Council often convenes members in working groups, task forces, and committees to help inform and shape our work. Recent opportunities include:
Reach out to the Engagement Team to explore ways you can volunteer your expertise.
Research, best practices, stewardship principles, and other curated content to increase your impact and efficiency.
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