The Council on Foundations is a nonprofit membership association that serves as a guide for philanthropies as they advance the greater good. Building on its 75-year history, the Council supports over 1,000 member organizations in the United States and around the world to build trust in philanthropy, expand pathways to giving, engage broader perspectives, and co-create solutions that will lead to a better future for all. The Council’s vision is that philanthropy is a trusted partner in advancing the greater good. Its mission is to foster an environment where philanthropy can thrive and cultivate a community of diverse and skilled philanthropic professionals and organizations who lead with integrity, serve as ethical stewards, and advocate for progress.
Why it matters: The Council on Foundations addresses the reality that philanthropy’s effectiveness depends on trust and that building trust requires fostering an environment where diverse philanthropic professionals lead with integrity and serve as ethical stewards rather than operating without accountability. By supporting over 1,000 member organizations to expand pathways to giving, engage broader perspectives, and co-create solutions, the Council demonstrates that advancing the greater good requires coordinated effort across philanthropies rather than individual foundations working in isolation. The organization’s 75-year history and focus on cultivating skilled professionals who advocate for progress shows that sustainable philanthropy demands ongoing community, learning, and commitment to ethical practices that position philanthropy as a trusted partner in social change.
