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.