At Exponent Philanthropy, we believe lean foundations can drive significant change through thoughtful strategies and meaningful community engagement. Malcolm MacLeod, board chair of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, recently shared how his foundation has embraced these practices to achieve transformative outcomes. He discusses this in depth on a recent episode of The Catalytic Podcast: Supercharging Impact: Recruiting Community Leaders for Our Foundation Board.
Deep Listening Builds Understanding
The Johnson Scholarship Foundation’s journey began with a simple yet powerful question: “What do you need?” By engaging with Indigenous communities and listening intently, they uncovered a profound need for opportunities in education and business. This understanding shaped a decades-long commitment to business education for Indigenous peoples, grounded in the belief that sustainable change must be led by the communities themselves.
Transformative Board Leadership
Macleod highlighted the importance of recruiting board members with lived experience and subject matter expertise. Leaders such as Sherry Salway Black and Angelique Albert brought knowledge, credibility, and connections that enabled the foundation to make strategic decisions and launch impactful programs.
For instance, Salway Black’s expertise in tribal business education helped the foundation design and evaluate its strategy. Albert’s journey as a beneficiary of the foundation’s support—earning an MBA from Gonzaga University—provided invaluable insight and perspective.
Recruiting for Impact
The foundation’s approach to board recruitment aligns with its mission to catalyze change. MacLeod said recruiting external board members isn’t just about good governance—it’s also about effective grantmaking. By embracing diverse voices, the foundation ensures that those with on-the-ground experience inform its strategies.
Honoring Founders’ Vision Through Evolution
While preserving the founders’ values is essential, MacLeod emphasized that ongoing foundations must embrace evolution. As generations change, board composition must also evolve. Establishing clear values, maintaining rigorous evaluation processes, and recruiting diverse talent ensure a foundation remains vibrant and impactful.
Key Takeaways for Lean Foundations
- Engage deeply with the communities you serve to understand their needs and aspirations.
- Prioritize a diverse and experienced board that brings knowledge, credibility, and connections.
- Regularly evaluate and refresh your board to uphold a high standard of governance and impact.
- Preserve the founders’ values by staying true to the mission while adapting to new challenges and opportunities.
MacLeod’s reflections remind us that lean foundations can lead with purpose and ingenuity. By building strong connections with the communities they serve and recruiting transformative leadership, lean funders create ripple effects of change that extend far beyond their size.
Ready To Expand Your Impact Beyond Grantmaking?
If MacLeod’s insights resonate with you, explore Exponent Philanthropy’s Intro to Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy program. This 10-week, cohort-based course includes six virtual sessions designed to help lean funders develop leadership skills, build confidence, and engage deeply with communities. Through experiential learning and coaching, you’ll refine your ability to listen, ask powerful questions, and take meaningful action.
Join a network of peer funders and Catalytic Guides to uncover new insights and create lasting impact. The program runs March 26 – June 4, 2025, with virtual sessions from 2:00–4:00 PM ET. Learn more and apply today.