Thirteen years ago, my parents sold their telecommunications company and started a private foundation. Their earliest motivations were to avert taxes from the sale and safeguard my two brothers and me from inheriting wealth that would deter us from working for a living. For the first 7 years, on December 27, we gathered for a... Read More
Rural philanthropy requires a different kind of thinking and creativity from urban philanthropy. It stands to reason, then, that the networks rural funders build will look different from those that traditionally attract more urban-focused foundations. In my work researching and building rural philanthropy, I’ve seen two main types of foundations that describe themselves as “rural... Read More
In June 2017, we hatched a plan. What if we created a survey to gather experience, advice, opinions, and knowledge from our grantmaker and grantseeker communities? (At Foundant, we provide grantmaking software solutions to grantmakers and grantees.) What kind of response would we get? How could we use the information we received to further our... Read More
As we step into the new year, we reflect on the vibrant Exponent Philanthropy community. Lean funders in 2024 advanced meaningful change, demonstrating the value of strategic and streamlined giving. Your insights and support made last year extraordinary. Here’s to continuing our ambitious strategic plan, working together, and creating lasting impact in 2025. Cheers to... Read More
Public policy shapes the very issues funders care about—education, healthcare, economic development, and beyond. Yet many funders hesitate to engage, unsure of their role or the impact they can have. The truth? Policymakers see philanthropy as a valuable partner. Funders bring deep community knowledge, flexible resources, and innovative solutions that can inform better policies. Even... Read More
Recent executive orders and policy shifts have created uncertainty across the nonprofit sector, leaving many organizations grappling with potential funding cuts and operational disruptions. While some orders have been rescinded, new challenges and changes will continue to emerge in the weeks and months ahead. In times like these, philanthropy plays a critical role in providing... Read More