The Foundation Operations and Management Report Executive Summary gives a brief overview of this year’s Foundation Operations and Management Report. Nonmembers can download the Executive Summary for free before purchasing the full report. Exponent Philanthropy members are able to download the full report at no cost as part of member benefits. Read More
Closing the Gap Between Intention and Impact Collected through FOMR data, surveys, and interviews with members, this report centers on the relevance of racial equity to our members’ mission, as well as their board and staff demographics. We also describe how racial equity relates to good governance, grantmaking, and investment practices. Why Racial Equity in... Read More
Building trust has been a key part of philanthropy for years for lean funders. Nevertheless, since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, trust and strong relationships have taken on an even greater significance. Building strong relationships with grantees doesn’t happen overnight. But from our research, we know that lean funders are perfectly positioned... Read More
This primer introduces you to the wide world of foundation strategic planning. No two strategic plans are alike, and the process for developing and implementing strategic plans can be just as different. In this primer, you’ll discover why funders engage in strategic planning, get an overview of the strategic planning process, and hear what other... Read More
How Small and Place-Based Foundations and Donors Can Make Big Change With Little Money Funders with few or no staff are perfectly positioned to fund and engage in advocacy. Smaller funders have deep ties to their communities, can act quickly to respond to emerging opportunities, and can focus in a laser-like way. Donors and trustees... Read More
Some of the most effective foundations involved in policy and advocacy in the United States are lean, place-based foundations. They achieve significant impact and maximize their investment by intensely focusing on their chosen issues, gaining deep insights, leveraging their reputation and relationships, and persistently pursuing their goals. Why We Designed This Guide We created this... Read More