If you’re a lean funder looking to invest in the future of your community, consider adding youth philanthropy to your portfolio. Across the country, young people are engaging in philanthropy in ways that shape not only their own lives, but also the strength and resilience of their communities. These experiences foster leadership, deepen civic participation,... 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
For decades, foundations have led with grantmaking. But too often, we’ve overlooked a fundamental truth: our investment decisions are also mission decisions. When we deploy capital, we shape markets, influence corporate behavior, and affect communities—sometimes reinforcing and sometimes undermining the very outcomes we fund through grants. If we are serious about advancing thriving communities, economic... Read More
Many lean funders, looking at their limited budgets and small teams, ask a familiar question: Is writing a check the most we can really offer? New data from Exponent Philanthropy’s 2026 Foundation Operations and Management Report suggests the answer is no, and many foundations are already demonstrating why. Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy highlights four Catalysts... 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
Exponent Philanthropy’s 2026 Foundation Operations and Management Report (FOMR) sheds light on ongoing pay disparities in the philanthropic sector. While the gender pay gap narrowed slightly from the previous year, it has by no means disappeared. Women in leadership roles, such as CEOs, still earn 23% less than their male counterparts, underscoring that meaningful progress... Read More