Foundations typically approach most grants as a team sport, debating their merits and deciding, collectively, whether they’re likely to achieve the foundation’s goals. However, in addition to granting as a group, some foundations give their board and/or family members a portion of funds to donate as individuals. This practice, called discretionary grantmaking, is legally permitted... Read More
Directly across from the standing desk I use is a bookcase. When peering over my monitor, I’m drawn to the top shelf where, kept at eye level, is a stack of books I have read. They sit there as reminders of concepts I want to have right in my face as I work in philanthropy.... Read More
The following is an excerpt from Foundant’s publication “On Philanthropy: What’s Changed in the Past Decade and What It Means for the Sector,” a product of its 2017 survey of its grantmaking and grantseeking clients. Read the full article and many others at the Foundant Philanthropy Experience site. By Sharmila Rao Thakkar Ten years ago... Read More
Foundations use grant agreements to serve as a contract, typically to confirm details regarding the amount and period of the grant, its purpose, terms and conditions, and required reports and deadlines. Unfortunately, in some cases, the grant agreement may be the last contact a funder has with a grantee until they receive a final report,... Read More
One session at the Exponent Philanthropy National Conference this past fall prompted a question that I’ve continued to ponder. I attended the session “A Framework for Foundation Investing in a Low-Return Environment.” Full disclosure: As a relative newcomer to philanthropy, I often feel anxious in discussions about organizational budgets and investing. But it’s an important... Read More
Driving to my first improv class, I was so terrified that I almost threw up. The idea of creating spontaneous theater with strangers, and being vulnerable in that way, made me extremely uncomfortable. At Exponent Philanthropy’s Master Juggler Executive Institute that I attended a few years ago, the facilitator told all 19 of us foundation... Read More