More common than you might expect — and that’s just one of the findings in this year’s Foundation Operations and Management Report. The 2026 edition also surfaces trends in next-generation engagement, board composition, grantmaking approaches, and more. See what other family foundation trends the data reveals in the blog: Family Foundation Trends: Findings From the... Read More
From self-dealing rules to the 5% distribution requirement to filing an accurate Form 990-PF, there’s a lot to stay on top of — especially for lean teams. Our Foundation Fundamentals: Tax, Legal, and Administration resource page breaks it all down in plain language. Read More
Having a clear removal policy in place — before you need it — protects your foundation and sets expectations for everyone on the board. From attendance requirements to family governance situations, our sample Board Member Removal Policies give you a practical starting point for drafting language that works for your foundation. Read More
In the 2024 Exponent Philanthropy blog “Integrating Feminism Into Philanthropy,” Nicole Baran, founding executive director and board member of the Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation, outlines practical ways funders can apply this approach, both within their organizations and through their grantmaking. Steps Toward Gender Equity Nicole’s blog highlights several practical insights for funders looking to... Read More
Funders participate in Intro to CLIP to grow as catalytic leaders — building the mindset, skills, and practices needed to drive meaningful change in their communities. The program combines skills training, experiential learning, and peer coaching, helping lean funders move from intention to action. Here’s what alumni say they gained: “This program helped me as... Read More
Yes. According to the 2026 Foundation Operations & Management Report, staff size increases steadily with asset size among foundations with few or no staff. Across all participating foundations, the average was 4 paid staff (median: 3). As expected, foundations with larger asset bases tend to employ more staff, though many remain relatively lean even at higher... Read More