A foundation is a nonprofit organization founded to support one or more issues. Foundations are distinct from public charities because most of the funding for a private foundation comes from a single person, family, or company. However, the term "foundation" is not legally defined, and charities that call themselves a foundation may not be a private foundation. The founder of a foundation determines its mission, who sits on the board of directors, where it invests funds, and when it distributes funds. Owners often choose to support a single cause and donate enough money to make an impact on it, but some foundations take a broader view and offer to fund groups in several different fields. Foundations typically receive their money through grants from the owner and file reports with the federal government about their funding and philanthropy.