Regular performance evaluations—at least once a year—can help staff improve their work. The board evaluates the foundation’s lead staff person (i.e., executive director, foundation administrator, CEO). In turn, the lead staff person evaluates other staff members and consultants (as applicable). In some cases, staff members evaluate themselves and then compare their assessments with their supervisor.... Read More
Great board meetings are achievable. Following a few legal requirements plus tried-and-true strategies can create an environment and a process for efficient, enjoyable foundation board meetings. Legal requirements For incorporated foundations, different states have different legal requirements for: Notice—States regulate how much notice needs to be given of meetings, and in what format. Typically this... Read More
A 501(c)(3) organization is recognized as tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Private foundations and public charities are two main types of 501(c)(3) organizations. Public charities are then divided into three distinct categories. As a private foundation, it is important to know which specific category the potential grantee falls into; knowing a grantee is... Read More
As a direct result of a dramatic increase in the foundation’s asset base, the Hutton Foundation decided to offer program related investments (PRIs) to nonprofit organizations. This growth necessitated a quick increase in annual distributions to meet the 5% annual payout requirement set by the Internal Revenue Service. A portion of the foundation’s annual distributions... Read More
Foundations represent a pool of financial resources to be spent for social good. Whereas much has been penned about how to spend foundation resources wisely to maximize impact, less attention generally has been paid to how to care for those resources before they are spent. Stewarding philanthropic resources requires a series of complex economic, market,... Read More
Documenting and following donor intent is of concern not only to family foundations but to independent foundations, corporate foundations, community foundations, and operating foundations. Some donors have specific criteria they wish the foundation follow for its lifetime, whereas other donors want the foundation to be flexible in responding to future needs. As a result, understanding... Read More