Complimentary for Exponent Philanthropy members / $75 non-members
Explore the wider landscape of foundations with few or no staff, and determine how your foundation aligns. Drawing on insights from Exponent Philanthropy’s annual survey of leanly staffed foundations, this presentation will examine trends in Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy, equity practices, staff compensation, boards and governance, grantmaking practices, as well as investments, including:
- How are lean funders adopting Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy to generate a significant impact in their communities?
- Where do lean funders stand on efforts related to racial equity and disability inclusion?
- How have staff salaries changed since last year’s report?
- Do term limits affect a foundation’s board pipeline?
- What types of flexible funding are funders most likely to provide?
- How does mission investing influence a foundation’s investment returns?
Download your copy of our 2025 Foundation Operations and Management Report
A recording of this program will be available to those who register.
Speakers
Brendan McCormick
Associate Director, Research & Publications
Exponent Philanthropy
Brendan McCormick works with staff, members, and partners to develop resources grounded in research. He leads our efforts to learn more about our community of lean funders. Brendan focuses on how foundations approach impact and evaluation, investments, operations, demographics, and equity practices.
Sheena Solomon
Executive Director
Gifford Foundation
Sheena Solomon is Executive Director of the Gifford Foundation in Syracuse, New York. She has been instrumental in the design and planning of Nourishing Tomorrow’s Leaders, a leadership development training that focuses on increasing the diversity and inclusiveness of nonprofit boards. Sheena is passionate about fostering growth in others. Sheena also serves on local and national boards such as You Can’t Fail Inc, the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation, and The Near Westside Initiative. In her role as Executive Director, she remains fully committed and engaged in racial justice and equity work.
Lauren Scott
Executive Director
Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund
Lauren is a systems thinker with nearly 20 years of experience building values-driven coalitions, strategies, and organizations. Passionate about connecting people and ideas to address community challenges, she applies a strengths-based approach to navigating relationships, managing conflict, and achieving consensus within organizations.
Who Should Attend
This program is open to foundation donors, trustees, and staff; individual donors; donor-advised fund holders; and members of giving circles.
Registration and Other Policies
Please register by clicking this link, even for complimentary programs. Prior to the webinar, you will receive your unique webinar access information. By registering for this program, participants agree to Exponent Philanthropy’s Participant Guidelines. Please contact us by email or at 202-580-6560 if you have any questions.
Members can access past webinars in our webinar archive
Platform and Accessibility
This program uses Zoom; automated closed captioning is available. We can provide additional accommodations upon request (e.g. live captioner, ASL interpreter). Please contact info@exponentphilanthropy.org or call 202-580-6560 by March 11 if you need any accommodations.