Get up to speed on foundation essentials by attending the following 2024 conference sessions:
Thursday, November 14, 2024
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
SESSION: Foundations 101: Intro to Philanthropy and Foundation Administration
After a brief overview of the nonprofit sector and where foundations fit in, we’ll dive into key administrative pieces of getting a foundation off the ground. These are what you want to get into place before you get started. We’ll also talk about how your foundation’s strategy impacts those decisions.
Learning Objectives:
- Restate the common and legal distinctions among foundations and nonprofits
- Recognize the core tasks for the foundation’s administrative work
- Consider staffing questions
This session is hosted by Laura Duty & Associates.
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
SESSION: 4 Finance Basics that All Lean Foundations Should Know
Lean foundations know the importance of keeping things efficient and organized. Their finance functions are no exception. Join this beginner session to learn or refresh your memory on four finance basics all lean foundation boards and staff should understand.
Learning Objectives:
- Communicate how a finance calendar makes sure everyone stays in the loop
- Understand why board education is crucial to mitigating illegal, unethical, and immoral situations
- Explain why financial reports should frame board meetings and guide decision-making processes
- Share how outsourcing can help address lean foundation financial challenges
This session is supported by YPTC.
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
SESSION: Foundations 101: Grantmaking Basics
Learn about the key elements of a standard grantmaking cycle, and then discover the additional tools in your toolbox for making an impact with your giving. Gain insight on the value of focusing your funding, designing a grantmaking program driven by learning, and streamlining your work. We’ll cover both the Classical Grantmaking process as well as how to have outsized impact with Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify a few key steps in the grants cycle and where you could shift your process
- Restate the concepts behind using all the tools in your toolbox and embarking on a learning journey in your focus area
This session is hosted by Strategic Philanthropy, Ltd.
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
SESSION: The Why and How of Multiyear Funding
Multi-year funding and a relationship-centered approach are the starting point for effective partnerships between grantee organizations and funders. Discover both staff and board member perspectives from two funders with a long history of making multiyear grants about why and how they came to see multiyear funding as an essential part of their grantmaking.
Learning Objectives:
- Express why multiyear funding can help reduce burdens on both funders and nonprofits
- Recognize how funders working in any issue area can use multiyear funding to make a greater impact
- Share tips and suggestions for how you can begin making multiyear grants
3:00 PM – 4:15 PM
SESSION: Foundations 101: Legal Basics
Hear an overview of all private foundation rules, from filing the Form 990-PF to public disclosure rules and the self-dealing rules. This survey of the rules will empower you to know when to raise questions with a legal professional. along with challenges they may have encountered or anticipate in development or implementation.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify simple ways to follow the public disclosure rules
- Restate the definition of disqualified persons and know the three steps to identify potential self-dealing
- Engage your board to design and lead with the organization’s future in mind
Friday, November 15, 2024
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
SESSION: Foundations 101: Investment Management Oversight
For those running a foundation, it’s important to understand the board’s fiduciary duties and how to manage investment work, whether or not you’re working with an investment advisor. Learn how the investment policy statement serves as a guide and hear about financial tools that extend your grantmaking.
Learning Objectives:
- Repeat four ways to get the work done and begin to identify a method that would work best for your foundation
- Discuss how investment policy statements serve as the roadmap to sensible investment decision-making
This session is hosted by Truist.
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
SESSION: Improving Grantee Relationships and Funder Data
How can you enhance your organization’s grant process, streamline application procedures, and cultivate stronger relationships with your grantees? Building and maintaining robust relationships with grantees is paramount for the success of any grant program. Learn strategies to elevate your grant management approach and ensure a positive applicant experience. Leave with valuable insights and practical tips to enhance grantee relationship practices.
Learning Objectives:
- Restate how to efficiently collect, organize, and utilize grantee data to streamline processes and improve decision-making
- Share the importance of developing comprehensive relationship profiles to better understand your grantees’ needs, challenges, and community connections
- Identify ways to enhance the overall applicant experience, from simplifying application procedures to providing timely feedback and support
This session is supported by Foundant.
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
SESSION: Foundations 101: Governance Basics
Learn ways trustees and staff can ensure smooth board operations and minimize the impact of change. We’ll review key administrative tasks to maintain the board’s structure and operations, including putting into place important documents, orienting board members, and setting term limits. And we’ll talk about the factors to maintain healthy boards.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify administrative tasks that, when taken care of, maintain the workings of the board both structurally (i.e. foundation documents) and operationally (i.e. term limits and orientation)
- Discuss ways your board can stay engaged in the foundation work
This session is hosted by Whittier Trust.
Saturday, November 16, 2024
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
SESSION: How Much Do I Distribute? The 5% Distribution Rule Explained
We’ll offer an in-depth analysis on a private foundation’s 5% minimum distribution requirement. We will discuss how the calculation works, how expense allocation can impact the amount distributed, what happens when a foundation fails to distribute, plus answer other common questions.
Learning Objectives:
- Restate the 5% distribution calculation
- Accurately allocate key expenses for charitable purposes
- Recognize the Internal Revenue Service excise tax for failure to distribute
This session is supported by Moss Adams.
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
SESSION: Power of Visibility: Amplify Impact with Social Media and Other Tools
Many lean foundations keep low profiles. While we encourage grantees to use media and communications to promote their missions, few lean foundations are doing the same. Explore how you can expand your external communications in a valuable and cost-effective way to amplify your grantee voices, draw attention to key issues, better engage your own board, and build stronger relationships in the community. Lean funders (both those with few and no staff) will share their experiences, discuss how to make the case to your board, and offer practical tips for your foundation to start or grow your online and print presence.
Learning Objectives:
- Make the case for expanding your external communications and social media and discuss practical steps to start
- Identify how to assess public and grantee awareness around your foundation and grantmaking, and tap into best practices for writing op-eds, press releases, and social media posts.
Still have questions?
Members can access staff experts through our Q&A service by calling 202-580-6560, or post a question to the member community to hear form peers in the field.
Explore our Q&A archive