Q&A's Archive - Page 33 of 43 - Exponent Philanthropy

Q&A Archive

What policies do you recommend for foundation boards?

Our publication Policymaking Made Clear: Eleven Foundation Policies Your Board Should Consider walks you through 11 common policies to empower your board as it works to fulfill the foundation’s mission. The policies include: Attending fundraisers Board membership and meetings Conflict of interest Discretionary grants Investment strategy and policy Personnel Records retention Spending Travel and expense reimbursement... Read More

How often is our foundation board required to meet? Are there other meeting requirements we should know?

For incorporated foundations, different states have different legal requirements for: Notice—States regulate how much notice needs to be given of meetings, and in what format. Typically this information is included in the bylaws. Be sure your foundation gives sufficient notice to ensure that decisions made by the board at that meeting cannot be challenged. Quorum—A... Read More

What should we consider before granting to an organization’s fiscal sponsor?

Quoting the article Serving as a Fiscal Sponsor by the law firm Arnold & Porter: In a fiscal sponsorship, a 501(c)(3) public charity or private foundation receives tax-deductible contributions on behalf of a group or organization that is not recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). Some projects use fiscal sponsors while their... Read More