private foundations
Nonprofit funding entities
Private foundations are charitable organizations funded by a single source—typically a wealthy individual, family, or corporation—rather than the general public.
Unlike public charities, they don't solicit donations but distribute grants from their endowment: The Gates Foundation is the largest private foundation in the world.
Tax law imposes specific rules on how much they must give annually and prohibits self-dealing by founders.
- trusteesThose holding assets for others
- tax-exempt statusFreedom from revenue levies
- donorsPeople who give gifts
- old moneyLong-established family fortune
- endowmentPermanent donated fund
board of directors · grantees · Rockefeller · community outreach · bylaws · 501(c)(3) · tax benefits · fiduciary duty · corpus · Carnegie · Ford · charitable giving · giving back · grant-making · perpetuity · financial audits · beneficiaries · excise tax
private foundationspublic charities
Tax-exempt entities serving society
government agencies · grassroots organizations · social enterprises · donor-advised funds · charitable trusts
private foundationsgrassroots organizations
Locally driven civic groups
private foundationsgovernment agencies
State-run administrative bodies
public institutions · state-funded programs · commercial enterprises