Philanthropy has the power to drive systemic change, but what does it take to move beyond traditional grantmaking? The Catalytic Philanthropy Podcast features funders who are challenging the status quo—leading with trust, taking strategic risks, and building deep community relationships. In our refreshed Foundation Guidebook, we highlight key podcast episodes that showcase how funders are making... Read More
Each year, Exponent Philanthropy surveys lean foundations from across the country to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities in philanthropy. The 2025 Foundation Operations & Management Report (FOMR) provides essential benchmarking data on leadership, governance, grantmaking, and investments, helping funders make informed decisions to maximize their impact. This year’s findings highlight evolving leadership approaches, increased flexible... Read More
For foundations and nonprofits alike, the grant application process can be a time-consuming hurdle. Nonprofits often dedicate significant resources to crafting applications, while foundations juggle evaluating numerous proposals, many of which may not align with their goals. A well-designed application process ensures your foundation receives the information it needs while respecting applicants’ time and resources.... Read More
Capacity-building grants have long been a staple in philanthropy, designed to help nonprofits improve effectiveness and sustainability. These grants usually focus on strengthening infrastructure, skills, and systems to support an organization’s mission. However, recent critiques suggest the traditional framework needs a significant overhaul, especially to better serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led nonprofits.... Read More
The Outsized Impact Award recognizes someone from an Exponent Philanthropy member organization whose giving has achieved greater-than-expected results. Learn about our inspiring 2024 finalists » Amy Nossaman Grants Program Manager, Legacy Foundation (Ottumwa, IA) With over 25 years in the grants and philanthropy sector, Amy Nossaman brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to community... Read More
When foundations require detailed and specialized grant applications and reporting, it creates a lot of extra work for nonprofits. If a nonprofit secures funding from 20 to 30 foundations, it must manage applications to 40, 50, or 60 different foundations, each with unique requirements. Additionally, it must prepare grant reports for 20 to 30 foundations,... Read More