As we step into the new year, we reflect on the vibrant Exponent Philanthropy community. Lean funders in 2024 advanced meaningful change, demonstrating the value of strategic and streamlined giving. Your insights and support made last year extraordinary. Here’s to continuing our ambitious strategic plan, working together, and creating lasting impact in 2025. Cheers to an inspiring year ahead!
Meaningful Member Connections in 2024
In 2024, Exponent Philanthropy fostered stronger member connections, enabling collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the lean funder community.
Key Reports and Tools for Informed Giving
Drawing from annual surveys and member feedback, we released several resources in 2024 designed to help foundations operate effectively, foster equity, and meet compliance standards:
- Updated Foundation Guidebook: Provided step-by-step advice on leadership, financial practices, operations, and legal compliance, with links to resources and templates.
- How Grantees Think Funders Can Improve: Shared feedback from 400+ nonprofits, offering practical tips to enhance impact and processes from the grantee perspective.
- Filing the Form 990-PF: Offered an updated guide to help funders complete IRS Form 990-PF accurately while avoiding errors and ensuring compliance.
- Foundation Operations and Management Report: Delivered annual benchmarks and insights on grantmaking, equity, staffing, and governance for lean operations.
- Racial Equity in Lean Foundations: Showcased practical steps and examples for integrating racial equity into philanthropic work to improve decision-making and outcomes.
Championing Change: Member Stories
In 2024, lean funders from across the country transformed traditional philanthropy with innovative and bold approaches. The monthly Catalytic Philanthropy Podcast featured stories of resourceful impact. Here are just a few examples of how lean funders are driving change through bold ideas and creative solutions:
Megan Oglesby & Joe Blosser: Explored job growth and economic development through creative community projects.
Abigail Seldin: Shared how philanthropy can support parents attending college.
Driving Change with Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy
In 2024, we expanded the impact of Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP), launched in 2023 with support from the Blackstone Ranch Institute and Johnson Scholarship Foundation.
- Catalytic Philanthropy Learning Lab: Offered a multi-part program with strategies for addressing complex challenges.
- Catalytic Leadership Guide: Equipped funders with actionable strategies to foster collaboration and innovation.
- Special Podcast Episode: CEO Paul D. Daugherty and Andy Carroll highlighted how CLIP addresses critical gaps and provides practical tools for lean funders.
Top Blogs of 2024
Our 2024 blogs offered funders valuable insights on grantmaking, equity, and high impact funding. Popular posts included:
Highlights from Our Annual Conference in Austin
Nearly 600 attendees joined us in Austin for the 2024 Annual Conference, making it our largest conference since 2018. With over 45 sessions featuring 100+ speakers, presenters and experts, this year’s agenda showcased bold ideas and strategies to advance philanthropic missions:
- Keynote: Dr. Elisha Smith Arrillaga called for people-centered philanthropy to uplift communities and address nonprofit burnout.
- Workshops: Hosted 45+ sessions on grantmaking, equity, and innovative practices.
- Community Engagement: Attendees explored nonprofits like Community First! Village and enjoyed Austin’s vibrant culture.
- 2024 Outsized Impact Award: Alece H.M. Montez of the AJL Foundation was honored for her 25 years of fostering equity and championing inclusive philanthropy.
Explore Alece’s work and conference highlights in “Extraordinary Giving in Extraordinary Times.”
Creating Inclusive Spaces for All
After signing the Disability Inclusion Pledge in 2023, we deepened our commitment to accessibility in 2024. Highlights included live captioning, accessible facilities, and resources for inclusive grantmaking at our Annual Conference.
Learn more: Embracing Disability Inclusion: Our Commitment and Actions.
New Leadership for 2024–2025
Exponent Philanthropy announced its 2024–2025 Board of Directors, led by Chair Nina Cohen and Vice Chair Courtney Rice. Newly elected members included Latina “Tina” Kimbrough and Henry Rael.
Read the full press release here »
Thank You for Your Support
Thank you for your support in 2024. Your contributions through corporate partnerships, donations, and membership enabled us to create meaningful impact. We look forward to continuing this journey of positive change together.
