The world’s top philanthropists agree on one thing: the private foundation is the best charitable vehicle ever created—preferred for its unparalleled benefits, flexibility and control. But you no longer need to be a Gates or a Ford to have a foundation. Foundation Source makes it possible for a wider range of donors to enter the world of foundation philanthropy, while we take care of the details.

Start-Up is Far More Affordable

Our award-winning systems, technology and services have dramatically reduced the expense and effort of starting a successful private foundation. Before, it took about $3 million in investible assets to justify foundation costs. We’ve made those economics obsolete. We make it possible to have a fully functioning private foundation with as little as $250,000 in starting assets.

Fast, Easy Set-Up

In as few as three business days, our team of professionals will have your new foundation up and running. Foundation Source provides the corporate entity and handles the IRS filing for tax-exempt status.

No Limits to Your Potential

Foundations are the hands-down favorite of leading philanthropic families—chosen over donor-advised funds and other charitable vehicles. Only private foundations offer this kind of control, flexibility and opportunity for family development:

• Control: Unlike a donor-advised fund, donors retain complete control over their private foundations. They decide which charities to support; how, where and with whom foundation assets are invested; whether to have others share in foundation governance; and who those board members would be.
• Flexibility: In addition to supporting U.S. public charities, private foundations can make international grants, set up scholarships, make grants directly to individuals for emergency relief and hardship assistance, and provide loans that are repaid to the foundation. A private foundation can even conduct its own charitable activities, such as renovating a local teen center.
• Family Engagement: Private foundations provide a unique vehicle to cultivate family relationships, to transfer philanthropic values from one generation to the next, and to build life skills such as leadership, teamwork, investment management and social awareness.

By setting up a private foundation, you establish a tradition of giving that can last for generations to come. We run the back-office, online systems and put experienced philanthropic advisors at your beck and call—so you can sit back and enjoy the experience of giving.

Unsure Whether a Private Foundation Is Right for You?

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Free 16-Page Guide: FAQs About Starting a Private Foundation Get straightforward answers to the 29 questions we are asked most often about private foundations. Download Now