Yes. Foundations may use their assets to cover reasonable meeting expenses—such as meals, travel, or lodging—but there are limits: If the entire meeting focuses on charitable activities (like reviewing grant proposals or discussing community needs), these costs can count toward the 5% payout requirement. If any part of the meeting involves investments, that portion of... Read More
In today’s litigious environment, even small foundations can face lawsuits. General liability insurance covers basics like accidents, property damage, or theft, but it doesn’t protect board members against claims of mismanagement. That’s where Directors & Officers (D&O) liability insurance comes in. A strong D&O policy can cover legal defense costs, claims of conflicts of interest,... Read More
Yes! Check out Extraordinary Giving in Extraordinary Times by our CEO, Paul D. Daugherty. In this post, Paul shares reflections from our 2024 Annual Conference in Austin, TX, where lean funders from across the country came together to discuss giving courageously, centering people in philanthropy, and collaborating for greater impact. It’s an inspiring recap of... Read More
Yes! Join sessions on using AI for smarter giving, protecting data, and improving communications, including: AI in Action: Tools and Tactics for Smarter, More Equitable Giving Leveraging AI Responsibly, Securing Data Strategically Communication That Works: Tools and Strategies for Lean Funders These sessions will help you explore AI tools while keeping equity and security in... Read More
The 2025 Outsized Impact Award recognizes an individual at an Exponent Philanthropy member organization whose giving makes a bigger difference than expected. Nominees often: Respond quickly to community needs Tackle overlooked or unmet challenges Stay closely connected to the people they support Bring others together and foster collaboration Inspire their peers through their work and... Read More
Board recruitment is one of the most critical and often overlooked responsibilities of foundation leadership. Many lean funders struggle to find new board members who bring the right mix of skills, perspectives, and long-term commitment. In this blog, we share survey data on the current state of board pipelines and highlight the creative strategies funders... Read More