Blog Archives - Page 3 of 89 - Exponent Philanthropy

Blog

Results for:  Topic: “Blog”  

What’s New in the 2026 Foundation Operations and Management Report 

   /  

Each year, Exponent Philanthropy surveys lean foundations from across the country to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities in philanthropy. The  2026 Foundation Operations & Management Report (FOMR)  provides essential benchmarking data on leadership, governance, grantmaking, and investments, helping funders make informed decisions to maximize their impact.    What’s New in the 2026 FOMR?  This year’s report includes new data to reflect... Read More

Learning From the Past To Lead Into the Future

   /  

As Presidents’ Day approaches, I’m reflecting on the leadership our communities need right now: leadership grounded in courage, humility, and a willingness to engage across differences. That theme came to life at Exponent Philanthropy’s 2025 Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio. One event in particular stands out: our second-day plenary, a staged reading of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick... Read More

Ghosting Grantees Isn’t a Strategy: Conscious Uncoupling for Funders

   /   , ,

Raise your hand if you’ve heard this before: Two weeks before a foundation announced its annual RFP, my organization found out we wouldn’t be invited to reapply. After five years of funding, deep collaboration, and conversations just months earlier that suggested continued support, 30% of our overall budget suddenly disappeared. I was funder ghosted. BS... Read More

The Promise and Pitfalls of AI in Philanthropy

   /   ,

Artificial intelligence—particularly large language models (LLMs), which are trained on large amounts of text to generate written responses to prompts —such as ChatGPT or Claude—is becoming an increasingly common part of nonprofit and philanthropic work. These tools offer new possibilities for research, communication, and efficiency, while also raising important questions about accuracy, bias, data privacy,... Read More

2025 Year in Review: Staying Grounded in a Year of Change

   /  

Celebrating 30 years of impact! What began as an idea in 1995 has evolved into the largest philanthropic network in the nation – more than 1,500 strong – that works together to address the hands-on challenges of lean funders.   As the Exponent Philanthropy team settles into 2026 – our 30th year advancing meaningful philanthropy – we are filled with gratitude for our community and all that we accomplished together last year. During a year shaped by political,... Read More

Multiyear Funding and General Operating Support: Why They’re Stronger Together

   /  

As foundations seek to strengthen impact while streamlining processes, multiyear funding and general operating support are gaining momentum as more flexible, relationship-centered alternatives to short-term, project-restricted grants. Exponent Philanthropy’s new primer, The Hows & Whys of Multiyear General Operating Support, explores how multiyear funding and general operating support work best when combined. It highlights how... Read More