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 been more important.
As we reflect on the first half of 2026, we’re grateful for and energized by this community of members, funders, sponsors, volunteers, and partners who continue to shape and strengthen our work.
This mid-year update highlights how, together, we’re advancing four strategic goals to meet this moment:
1. Amplifying the Voice of Lean Funders
2. Enhancing the Impact of Lean Funders
3. Accelerating Equity & Inclusion
4. Expediting a Sustainable Organizational Future [to ensure we’re here for you for the next 30 years]
Thank you for being part of this work and community!
1. Amplifying the Voice of Lean Funders
Advocating for Philanthropy and Communities
In March, nearly 30 Exponent members brought the voice of lean philanthropy directly to policymakers in Washington, DC, at Foundations on the Hill. To prepare for Hill visits, Exponent led the breakout session, “Outsized Impact: Moving Funders from Administration to Advocacy,” featuring a three-member panel on navigating advocacy as a lean foundation.
With uncertainty mounting across the nonprofit sector, members gathered to discuss protecting nonprofit independence, strengthening communities, and ensuring philanthropy can respond to emerging needs. Drawing on 18 months of Exponent advocacy programming and policy briefings, they arrived on the Hill prepared — equipped with practical tools, peer support, and greater confidence to lead on policy.
Exponent member Jennifer Barborak, Executive Director of the Buhl Regional Health Foundation, reflected on the experience on her foundation’s blog:
“Once I realized I knew more about what I was advocating for than they did, I found in myself a profound sense of civic responsibility and passion for my community. Once I realized that congresspeople are here to represent us, and they don’t know enough about us unless we tell them, I was able to speak from the heart and talk about the needs of rural Western Pennsylvania.”
As a follow-up for those who couldn’t attend, Exponent hosted a member briefing on Policy Insights & Actions, focused on how funders can support nonprofits and communities during a rapidly evolving policy environment.
30 Changemakers
As we mark 30 years of Exponent Philanthropy, we’re celebrating the people who make this work possible. Through our 30 Changemakers campaign, we’re spotlighting individuals who exemplify the spirit of lean philanthropy — leading with purpose, building connection, and driving meaningful change in the communities they serve. Meet the Changemakers.
2. Enhancing the Impact of Lean Funders
Practical Research & Publications
The 2026 Foundation Operations & Management Report (FOMR), already downloaded more than 600 times, remains the sector’s only comprehensive benchmarking resource focused specifically on foundations with few or no staff. This year’s report offers timely insights into how lean funders are evolving their leadership, governance, grantmaking, and investment practices to meet today’s challenges.
Highlights from this year’s report include:
- Growing alignment with Catalytic Leadership with 39% of respondents reporting the framework aligns with their philanthropic approach
- Continued commitment to local philanthropy with 80% of respondents funding within their communities
- Strong next-generation engagement with 71% of family foundations actively involving next-gen family members in foundation work
- Evolving grantmaking practices that balance accessibility, efficiency, and administrative capacity
Members also turned to our new primer, The Hows and Whys of Multiyear General Operating Support, for practical guidance on the funding approach nonprofits request most. It covers tax and payout considerations, board buy-in, and real examples from funders who’ve made it work.
Data from both informed broader field conversations:
- From Belief to Practice: Why Multiyear Flexible Funding Still Lags Behind Consensus (CEP) — explores why, despite broad consensus, only 32% of foundations make multiyear GOS grants compared to 80% making single-year grants
- Beyond Annual Renewals: How Multiyear GOS Changes Grants Management (PEAK Grantmaking) — examines how shifting away from annual renewals reshapes workflows and reduces administrative burden for lean teams
Our popular blog, now reaching more than 2,000 subscribers, reflects growing demand for practical, field-informed insights designed specifically for lean funders.
Top posts so far this year include:
Intentional Learning
This spring, a cohort of lean funders participated in Exponent’s 10-week Intro to Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy experience, designed to help funders lead beyond check-writing. Participants explored how philanthropy can play a more catalytic role in advancing equity, strengthening relationships, and supporting long-term community change. One participant has already called the listening process “incredibly valuable,” a sentiment that reflects what this work is really about: helping lean funders engage more deeply with the communities they serve.
Meaningful Peer Connections
As Exponent Philanthropy celebrates 30 years of building connections among lean funders, one thing has become increasingly clear: members are seeking deeper opportunities to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and navigate challenges together. And through Regional Gatherings, peer groups, cohort programs, and our new Member Chats, we continue to invest in making that happen.
- Regional Gatherings remain one of our most valued member experiences — helping funders strengthen local connections while staying part of a national network of peers. With a dozen locations planned this year, we’ve already convened in Santa Fe, Baltimore, Portland, Oregon, Philadelphia, and Boston — with Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, New York, and many more still to come. Check out the full list. We hope to see you there!
- Member Chats, our newest member benefit, offers 30-minute virtual conversations that connect members one-on-one with peers navigating similar opportunities and challenges. Nearly 50 members joined the April pilot, with 100% saying they’d participate again. Beginning this summer, Member Chats will be offered monthly. Stay tuned for your invitation!
- Our Peer Communities connect members around shared experiences, roles, and interests. Over the past year, we’ve launched or expanded groups for CEOs, family offices, spend-down funders, international grantmakers, catalytic philanthropy practitioners, and more. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming gatherings!
- In November at the Annual Conference, we’ll launch our first half-day retreat for Trustees and Board members — another step toward the connected, relationship-centered community our members are asking for.
3. Accelerating Equity & Inclusion
Courageous Leadership in Challenging Times
This spring, we re-launched our user-experience campaign to better understand the needs of our BIPOC members and members supporting racial equity and disability inclusion work at their foundations. If you would like to be interviewed, send us a note. We’re excited to hear from you!
On June 18, Exponent will host Fearing Better: Making Courageous Decisions in Uncertain Times — a practical workshop designed to help funders navigate fear, uncertainty, and increasing external pressures while staying grounded in mission and values. As legal scrutiny, funding shifts, and political pressures continue to impact the social sector, this program will provide lean funders with practical tools, peer support, and strategies for making courageous. Register here.
Later this summer, we’ll release the sixth edition of Racial Equity in Lean Foundations — our flagship resource helping lean funders embed equity into their grantmaking and organizational practices. Members will be invited to attend the Racial Equity in Lean Foundations Webinar on September 16, where we’ll outline key trends in the data and hear from a member panel on how they’ve been able to remain steadfast in their commitment to equity given the current climate.
On August 26, we’ll be joined by the Disability Philanthropy Forum, who will guide our members from awareness to action on disability inclusion, building a foundation in disability rights and justice and leaving participants with concrete tools to apply to your grantmaking. Keep an eye out for more on this new program, we’ll be launching registration shortly!
4. Expediting a Sustainable Organizational Future
As Exponent Philanthropy celebrates 30 years of serving lean funders, we’re taking important steps to strengthen the long-term sustainability of this organization that you and your fellow members rely on every day.
New Membership Dues Structure in 2027
After more than a year of work by our Membership Committee, Board, and staff — and with the input and engagement of more than 325 member organizations — Exponent will transition to a new, asset-based membership model beginning January 1, 2027.
Under this new model:
- 75% of members will pay $2,000 or less
- 19% of members will see no change from 2026 rates
- 13% will see a modest increase of $130
- Only 9% of members — those with $100M+ in assets — will pay $5,000+
This change helps ensure that Exponent remains a strong, sustainable organization for our next 30 years of impact. Read more about the new dues structure and FAQs here.
Thank You for Your Support in 2026
Membership dues cover less than 40% of Exponent’s annual operating budget. Many thanks to our generous members, grant supporters, corporate partners, and sponsors who have fueled our work and strengthened our community this year. We look forward to continuing to build on this momentum together in the second half of 2026.
Looking Ahead
There’s plenty still ahead in 2026! We are celebrating 30 years of impact!
2026 Annual Conference
This November, we’re excited to bring the lean funder community together in Portland for Exponent Philanthropy’s 2026 Annual Conference, happening November 11–13. This year’s gathering will be especially meaningful as we celebrate 30 years of serving lean funders nationwide. Planning a board meeting around the conference? Exponent has access to private meeting rooms onsite — contact Kelly Störmer to coordinate. And if you’d like to help make Portland feel welcoming for everyone, consider signing up to be a Super Connector — the people who make our conference the friendliest in philanthropy.
Next Gen Fellows Program
Applications are now open for our Next Gen Fellows Program, a six-month leadership journey launching at our Annual Conference in November. Designed for emerging funders aged 18–35, the Next Gen program has been equipping new and incoming foundation staff and trustees with the skills, networks, and confidence to drive meaningful change for more than 15 years. Apply by August 1 to join this year’s cohort.
Thank you for being part of our network!
For 30 years, Exponent Philanthropy has helped lean funders navigate change, strengthen communities, and maximize philanthropic impact. This year’s work and momentum — from advocacy efforts to peer connections — reflects the power of this community.
As we look ahead, we remain deeply committed to helping you and your fellow members stay connected, informed, and equipped to meet the evolving needs of today’s communities. Thank you for being part of Exponent’s first 30 years — and for helping shape what comes next.
We look forward to celebrating with you this November in Portland!