Trustees have a lot on their plates, but nothing matters more than getting their legal duties right. A foundation’s board does more than show up to meetings. Trustees must ensure the foundation follows its own bylaws, meets federal and state requirements, and stays true to its charitable purpose. Beyond simply following the law, a foundation’s... Read More
This year, Exponent Philanthropy celebrates 30 years of supporting, connecting, and amplifying the impact of lean funders and transforming communities through informed giving. As philanthropy faces rapid change, growing complexity, and ever-increasing community needs, the role of lean funders — and the need for strong peer connections, practical resources, and community-connected leadership — has never... Read More
For grantmakers, few things are as illuminating as seeing a nonprofit’s work up close. A site visit cuts through the paperwork, brings the work to life in a way no document can, and opens up conversations that simply don’t happen over email. But site visits are also high-stakes moments. They raise expectations, shape relationships, and... Read More
The pandemic reminded us of something we already knew; there’s no substitute for being in the same room. But the hunger to connect runs deeper than COVID. The U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness a public health epidemic in 2023, and noted that approximately half of American adults were already experiencing loneliness before the pandemic even... Read More
Most foundations don’t set out to break the rules. In fact, many self-dealing violations occur in situations that seem entirely reasonable: saving money, supporting a grantee, or simply making things easier to manage. But when it comes to private foundations, the rules around self-dealing are intentionally strict, and often counterintuitive. As Exponent Philanthropy’s How to... Read More
In philanthropy, many leadership decisions don’t come with clear solutions. Where should you focus your giving? What happens when community needs shift quickly? How do you balance the many roles funders play as grantmakers, listeners, conveners, or advocates? Questions like these rarely have a single right path. Often, the most valuable insights emerge not from... Read More