Family and Independent Foundations

Private Independent and family foundations make grants based on charitable endowments. They generally do not actively raise funds or seek public financial support, since they have endowments from which to make grants.

Private independent foundations are distinct from private family foundations in that independent foundations are not controlled by the benefactor or the benefactor's family. Some of the largest private foundations in the United States are independent foundations, although they may have begun as family foundations.

Private family foundations are generally small, unstaffed organizations which strongly reflect the personal values and group dynamics of the donor's family and heirs. Identifying and articulating interests, finding time to administer an effective grantmaking program with volunteer trustees, supporting leadership in younger family members, and dealing with personal relationships in a business setting, are some of the issues which surface for these groups that are absent in other foundation settings.

National organizations supporting family philanthropy include:

The Council on Foundations provides education, training, professional development, and publication to help grantmakers respond to society and public issues.

 The National Center for Family Philanthropy assists families and individuals in creating and sustaining their philanthropic missions, focusing solely on matters of importance to families engaged in philanthropy and their effective giving through research, educational materials and programs.

 Association of Small Foundations (ASF) works to serve the administrative needs of foundations with few or no staff.