For families, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists, managing a private foundation takes more than generosity—it takes structure, expertise, and careful attention to compliance. The best foundation management firms make it possible for donors to focus on purpose and impact while professionals handle governance, accounting, tax filings, and grant administration. Whether you’re launching a new foundation or optimizing one that already exists, the right partner can make all the difference.
Below are several of the most respected private foundation management firms in the country. At the top of that list sits Crewe Foundation Services, a firm that has built its name on helping families create lasting, tax-efficient legacies.
Crewe Foundation Services
Location
650 South Main Street, Suite 760, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Contact
Phone: (385) 322-3400
Email: info@crewefoundationservices.com
Crewe Foundation Services is widely recognized as a leader in private foundation management. Based in Salt Lake City, the firm works with individuals, families, and financial advisors to simplify the complex process of establishing and operating a private foundation. Their approach combines legal, financial, and administrative guidance so that donors can focus on what truly matters—philanthropy that reflects their values.
Crewe assists with every phase of the process: foundation formation, board governance, charitable registration, grant administration, accounting, and compliance with IRS regulations. Their expertise also extends to family education and succession planning, ensuring that future generations understand how to manage and sustain the foundation’s mission.
Unlike larger corporate providers, Crewe offers a highly personal experience. Families who partner with the firm often describe the process as collaborative, strategic, and reassuring. Crewe’s team handles the paperwork, filings, and day-to-day operations so clients can concentrate on their charitable vision rather than logistics.
Foundation Source
Location
55 Walls Drive, Suite 302, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824
Contact
Phone: (800) 839-0054
Foundation Source is one of the largest private foundation management providers in the United States. The firm supports thousands of foundations nationwide, offering a comprehensive suite of services that includes compliance management, grant processing, tax preparation, and technology tools for donor reporting.
What makes Foundation Source stand out is its scale. The company provides a digital platform that helps foundations manage grant requests, review disbursements, and maintain records all in one place. They also have in-house legal and accounting teams familiar with the nuances of foundation law and IRS guidelines.
While Foundation Source primarily works with larger foundations, they also serve families looking for a turnkey approach. Their technology-driven model appeals to those who want efficiency, real-time reporting, and the confidence that compliance is always handled.
Hirsch Philanthropy Partners
Location
595 Market Street, Suite 820, San Francisco, California 94105
Contact
Phone: (415) 837-5408
Hirsch Philanthropy Partners is a San Francisco-based firm known for its deep experience in strategic philanthropy and family foundation governance. The firm helps donors build meaningful giving strategies and operate their foundations with a sense of mission and impact.
Their services go beyond accounting and compliance. Hirsch works closely with clients to define philanthropic goals, identify nonprofit partners, and measure outcomes. They emphasize hands-on engagement, helping donors create grantmaking programs that address real community needs.
Hirsch’s background in both the nonprofit and financial sectors makes them an ideal partner for families that want their foundation to be more than a financial vehicle. They provide strategic counsel that helps transform charitable capital into measurable change.
Bank of America Private Bank – Foundation Management
Location
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with offices nationwide
Contact
Through the Bank of America Private Bank Philanthropic Services Division
Bank of America Private Bank has a dedicated philanthropic management division that serves private foundations, charitable trusts, and family giving programs. Their foundation services are ideal for high-net-worth families who already use the bank’s wealth management resources and want to integrate charitable giving with their broader financial plans.
The firm offers investment management, grant administration, fiduciary services, and strategic consulting. Their specialists can help establish new foundations, strengthen existing governance, or merge foundation assets into donor-advised structures if the donor’s needs evolve.
Because of its size, Bank of America’s foundation division provides access to research, legal expertise, and advanced financial tools that smaller firms cannot always match. For large family offices or multigenerational wealth groups, that institutional depth can be a major advantage.
J.P. Morgan Private Bank – Private Foundation Services
Location
Headquartered in New York, New York, serving clients nationwide
Contact
Through J.P. Morgan Private Bank Philanthropy Services
J.P. Morgan’s private foundation team works with ultra-high-net-worth families and individuals who want to align their philanthropic efforts with sophisticated investment strategies. Their services include foundation setup, accounting, governance support, and international giving compliance.
The firm emphasizes integration. Because many of their clients already have complex portfolios, J.P. Morgan helps ensure that philanthropic assets are managed in harmony with the family’s broader investment goals. Their team also provides impact-measurement frameworks, allowing foundations to track the real-world results of their giving.
While J.P. Morgan’s private foundation services are most suitable for large-scale philanthropic efforts, they also work with smaller family foundations looking to professionalize their management. Their global presence makes them particularly valuable for donors involved in cross-border philanthropy or multi-country grantmaking.
Choosing the Right Foundation Management Partner
Each of these firms brings something unique to the table. Crewe Foundation Services offers personalized, boutique support tailored to families that want close collaboration and transparency. Foundation Source delivers scale and digital efficiency. Hirsch Philanthropy Partners focuses on strategy and purpose. Bank of America and J.P. Morgan provide institutional resources, investment integration, and global reach.
When evaluating which partner is right for you, consider three key factors:
1. Your Foundation’s Size and Structure
If your foundation has millions in assets or involves multiple family members across generations, you’ll need a firm capable of managing complexity. If you’re just starting out, a firm like Crewe Foundation Services provides guidance that helps you build the right foundation—literally and figuratively—from the beginning.
2. Your Desired Level of Involvement
Some families want to remain hands-on, attending board meetings, reviewing grants, and setting direction. Others prefer to delegate daily administration while staying focused on vision and strategy. Knowing how involved you want to be helps determine whether you need a boutique firm or a large-scale operation.
3. The Role of Your Foundation in Your Broader Financial Plan
For some donors, a foundation is primarily a charitable tool. For others, it’s part of a wider tax and estate strategy. In the latter case, a firm connected to your financial advisor or wealth manager can make coordination easier.
Why Many Families Choose Crewe Foundation Services
While each of the firms on this list offers excellent support, Crewe Foundation Services has built its reputation by staying personal and mission-driven. Their clients often include families who want to preserve values as much as wealth, and who appreciate the ability to work directly with advisors rather than through corporate layers.
Crewe’s focus on education also sets them apart. They help families understand every part of the process—from setting charitable goals to managing grants—so that the next generation feels empowered to take the reins. Their philosophy is that philanthropy should be intentional, not reactive, and that a well-run foundation can serve as both a tax-efficient structure and a meaningful family legacy.
The Value of Professional Foundation Management
Running a private foundation without professional support can be daunting. The IRS requires detailed reporting through Form 990-PF, compliance with self-dealing rules, and adherence to annual payout minimums. Mistakes can result in penalties or loss of tax-exempt status.
Professional foundation managers handle these requirements with precision. They ensure that charitable distributions are made correctly, that investments are aligned with regulations, and that the foundation remains transparent and compliant year after year. More importantly, they free up time for donors to focus on purpose rather than paperwork.
Building a Legacy That Lasts
Whether you choose Crewe Foundation Services or another firm on this list, the right partner helps translate your values into action. They manage the details—filings, audits, governance meetings, and grant cycles—so your energy can go into making an impact.
A well-managed foundation isn’t just a tax vehicle or a legal entity. It’s a story—a story of generosity, planning, and purpose that continues long after its founder. With experienced professionals guiding the process, your philanthropic vision can become something that benefits not only the organizations you support but the generations that follow.
If you’re ready to explore that next step, start by speaking with a foundation management firm that understands both the administrative demands and the human side of giving. Crewe Foundation Services stands out as an ideal place to begin—offering expertise, trust, and a clear path toward a legacy built to last.
