Strong governance is essential for impactful philanthropy, especially for lean foundations where board members often wear many hats. Several sessions at the 2025 Annual Conference offer tools and strategies to strengthen board leadership, clarify roles, and increase engagement. Whether you’re new to board service or looking to shift from oversight to strategy, there’s something for... Read More
When disaster strikes, board members often want to act quickly to support affected communities. A disaster response policy helps your foundation respond effectively—while staying aligned with its mission and capacity. The most useful policies are flexible and can be adapted to each unique situation. Key Elements to Consider in Your Policy Mission Alignment Will your... Read More
The IRS doesn’t list out every possible foundation asset, but broadly defines them as anything the foundation owns, controls, or receives for its benefit. Common examples include: Cash & cash equivalents – checking, savings, money-market funds Investments – stocks, bonds, mutual funds, private equity, program-related loans Real & tangible property – buildings, land, vehicles, office... Read More
Start with the self-dealing rules. When a private foundation pays for a sponsorship or receives complimentary tickets, those tickets become foundation assets. If a board member, officer, substantial donor, or family member (all “disqualified persons”) uses them for food, entertainment, or marketing perks, the IRS may treat it as self-dealing and impose excise taxes. 3... Read More
Yes. Membership dues qualify as an allowable administrative expense and may be included in the 5% payout calculation for private foundations. How To Record It Treat the dues as an administrative expense, not a grant. Grants must be “no-strings-attached,” meaning the foundation cannot receive any benefits in return. Classifying dues as a grant would bar... Read More
Managing your foundation’s finances doesn’t have to be complicated. The practices below can help you stay organized, safeguard your assets, and ensure funds are used appropriately. Use one operating bank account.If you make grants only once or twice a year and have few bills, consolidating transactions in a single account keeps bookkeeping simple. Match cash... Read More