(The following are examples of the most common non government foundation types)
1. General Purpose Foundations
- Includes most of the larger,well known foundations;
- Operates with relatively few grant-making restrictions, and are considered the pacemakers or standard setters within the foundations field;
- Usually governed by a knowledgeable board of directors assisted by a trained professional staff person;
- Has about two thirds of all assets of foundations, and 50% of all grants awarded (ex. Ford Foundation)
2. Special Purpose Foundations
Restrict their grants to:
- a specific field of research;
- a particular activity, or
- a designated geographic area.
3. Corporate or Company Sponsored Foundations
- They channel the philanthropies of business organizations although they are separate legal organizations from the sponsoring corporations;
- Generally, grants are given within the communities where the company is located.
4. Family Foundations
- By far the largest number of private foundations in the U.S.;
- Usually have been set up by the donor for his/her current contributions;
- A family foundation is rarely reached by an appeal outside the donor's range of interest; grants usually reflect the immediate interest of the donor and go to a college, church hospital, or community fund, of the donors' choice
5. Community Foundations
Such foundations are supported by, and operated for a specific community or region. Thus they usually restrict their giving to a specific geographic area and administers them to support any particular designated interests of the donors. Great sources for scholarships for local students; needs assessment for local problems; funds to use to raise more money. Usually not interested in research or in creating a unique solutions to a problem. (ex. Chicago Community)
