It’s not always easy for grantseekers to understand how foundations operate, or how to access them. Grant guidelines are a valuable tool to communicate your interests and strategies, clarify what you fund, and explain how to apply. The clearer your guidelines, the more likely you’ll receive proposals that align with your goals. Clear guidelines also... Read More
This Op-Ed originally appeared on the Ball Brothers Foundation website. The threats we face in the digital world are evolving at a frightening pace. From phishing schemes and ransomware attacks to identity theft and deepfake impersonations, the list of cyber threats keeps expanding. As technology advances—and the internet becomes ever more integrated into our daily... Read More
A seed funding grant is more than just financial support; it’s a powerful way to make an impact by getting involved early in a project’s journey. This small, initial investment allows nonprofits or entrepreneurs to test their ideas before pursuing larger grants from corporations, foundations, or government agencies. At the same time, seed grants give... Read More
Laird Norton Family Foundation is in its 84th year and is a family-involved organization. Today the family is in its 8th generation and numbers more than 500 members across the globe, but by many other measures, we’re a small foundation, with approximately $40M in assets and grantmaking of about $2M per year. We do our... Read More
Managing a private foundation with staff requires more than just focusing on its mission; it also demands careful attention to human resources. By addressing key HR questions, you can ensure your foundation is legally compliant, ethically sound, and a positive place to work. Below is a checklist to help guide your HR practices. Advisors and... Read More
Advocacy is all about promoting a cause or idea to lawmakers, the media, and the public. It can be as simple as saying, “Poverty is bad,” to get people thinking about the issue. Advocacy takes many forms—public education, media campaigns, legal actions, and even voter registration. A lot of people confuse advocacy with lobbying. However,... Read More