Private foundation trustees and staff oversee countless activities, from setting direction and selecting grantees to reviewing policies and investing assets. Several foundation tasks—some mandatory, some voluntary—call for additional care. All are worth your careful consideration to help you be financially savvy and legally compliant, and to help you take full advantage of your foundation’s flexibility.... Read More
Getting clear on your foundation’s lifespan is one of the most fundamental decisions your board will make. It affects virtually everything else you do. Think for a moment of the difference in, say, a 25-year lifespan or one of perpetuity when it comes to setting grantmaking priorities, managing investments, engaging the next generation, or running... Read More
This post originally appeared as a GMA Foundations case study. The Theodore Edson Parker Foundation has a history of prioritizing its commitment to underserved groups in Lowell, Massachusetts, the city in which the foundation was established in 1944. But in order to really effect change and to more closely reflect an evolving and increasingly diverse... Read More
Trustees have a lot on their plates, but nothing matters more than getting their legal duties right. A foundation’s board does more than show up to meetings. Trustees must ensure the foundation follows its own bylaws, meets federal and state requirements, and stays true to its charitable purpose. Beyond simply following the law, a foundation’s... Read More
Many young philanthropists ask themselves early on, Am I doing this right? It is understandable that emerging leaders may feel underprepared. They often are the youngest or newest member of a board or staff, sometimes just starting their professional journeys. But something more powerful than age or experience is also at work: Almost to a... Read More
Within hours of the September 11 World Trade Center terrorist attack, my voicemail and email were overloaded with requests for services from corporations, mental health agencies, and schools. All were looking for assistance in how to help adult survivors cope with the sudden traumatic death of their loved ones and support the grieving children and... Read More