Illustrating the power of individual, family, and small-staffed foundation donors We are pleased to share with you our annual report, Outsized Impact 2016, which showcases many of our 2016 accomplishments and illustrates the power of small-staffed foundations, philanthropic families, and individual donors. We invite you to read these stories, share them with others, and embrace the... Read More
This discussion guide helps you define evaluation and its value in measuring your foundation’s impact. The guide highlights how evaluation can help you: Improve your work through learning. Become more effective. Assess your work in a way that’s grounded in your foundation’s priorities and values. Gather information and shed light on one issue at a... Read More
Although most foundations choose to not compensate board members for routine board service—creating or revising foundation policies, overseeing foundation operations, attending board meetings, and more—one size does not fit all. For some small foundations, culture and assumptions, or specific strategies and rationales, lead the board to compensate its members. This publication reviews: The laws and... Read More
Your foundation needs policies in order to operate. Yet, the word policy can send some board members running. This primer walks you through 11 policies your foundation should consider and offers tools to empower your board as it works to fulfill the foundation’s mission. The policy topics covered in this primer include: Attending fundraisers Board... Read More
This discussion guide walks you through one foundation’s process of engaging in evaluation. Although this foundation is fictitious, it represents many small funders across the country. Using this guide, you’ll explore how this foundation: Engages in a strategic planning process. Keeps evaluation manageable. Learns and improves. The guide also features relevant Exponent Philanthropy resources as... Read More
When your organization welcomes new board members, you know you need to share about your foundation, its programs, and what it means to serve on a board. But where to begin? Some of your new trustees may be family members who’ve grown up hearing about the foundation. Others may be experts who specialize in your... Read More