In today’s unpredictable market and economic environment, foundations face distinctive challenges in advancing their missions amid ongoing market volatility. How can they better understand this uncertainty—especially the potential impact of tariffs—on their financial health and long-term sustainability? A Quick History Lesson For nearly 40 years, declining interest rates served as a powerful tailwind for investors,... Read More
A Wake-Up Call for the Sector Exponent Philanthropy’s 2025 Foundation Operations and Management Report (FOMR) sheds a critical light on ongoing and troubling pay disparities in the philanthropic sector. Women in leadership roles, such as CEOs, earn 27% less than their male counterparts. What?! How?! In a field where many of us are committed to... Read More
One powerful way to regain focus in uncertain times is to support those doing work you know is important and relevant. To riff on Mr. Rogers’ famous advice: Don’t just look for the helpers; look for the helpers and help them. As funders, we support organizations advancing change and addressing urgent needs. One of the... Read More
Health insurance is one of the most common benefits lean foundations offer their staff, alongside paid time off and retirement plans. According to the 2025 Foundation Operations and Management Report, 76% of foundations provide health insurance for full-time employees. One of the most frequently discussed topics in our Member Discussion Community is securing health insurance... Read More
For emerging young leaders at small-staffed foundations, the pathway to professional growth, advancement, and impact may not always be clear. But, with creativity, courage, and intention, we can take charge of our own development. There is no perfect formula for how to tackle society’s biggest challenges. Nor is there a ubiquitous road map for success... Read More
Debates about philanthropy’s role have heated up since the 1980s, as the federal government cut taxes and support for many social programs, a series of recessions battered the economy, and economic hardship deepened and expanded. In this era of scarcity, philanthropy has been pulled into a much higher profile. Demands come from lawmakers seeking private... Read More