For many years, small-staffed foundations have been at the heart of the impact investing movement, joining with—and, at times, leading—larger philanthropies. Today’s community foundations are investing for impact in two ways: through program related investments (PRIs) made with the expectation that the amount invested will be repaid to the foundation, and by investing a portion... Read More
The deadline to apply for the 2025 cohort is August 1, 2025. The program begins in person on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Hilton Columbus Downtown and includes participation in the 2025 Annual Conference, November 11-13. Peer coaching continues virtually through February. Following, participants will join for six virtual, 2-hour modules held weekly in... Read More
Foundations can no longer rely on fixed income investments to generate strong returns with low risk. As returns on fixed income have declined, many foundations have taken on more risk (via equity investments) to fill the earnings gap. What if there is a way for your foundation to generate investment income without changing your risk... Read More
Until he retired, my friend Chet was a junior high school shop teacher. I remember visiting his classroom and seeing the walls lined with tools. “For every job there is a tool,” he said. Having done my share of home repair over the years, I know how true that is. As a funder, I’ve also... Read More
Dear fellow member, As grantmakers, we regularly face tough decisions about which nonprofits to support. We all want to be good stewards of our philanthropic assets, and there are always more worthy requests than we are able to act upon. To make these hard choices, we weigh how the organization’s mission aligns with our priorities.... Read More
10-Minute Impact Assessment Explore How to Make The Most of Your Giving This simple tool offers your foundation a framework that you can use to discuss your impact, identify areas of strength, and highlight opportunities for increasing your impact. Practical Board Self-Assessment Improve Your Foundation’s Effectiveness Take a thoughtful approach to board assessment... Read More