A fairly simple review using any of the following sources will give you information about a nonprofit’s finances. As you get more comfortable with financials or seek detailed information about particular organizations, you can examine financials more extensively: Charity rating services—These Web-based rating services are great starting points for information about nonprofits you are considering.... 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
By following a few simple steps to create an orientation that is both effective and engaging, you can give your new trustees the tools they need. Here’s how. See also the publication Bringing on the Board: Practical Steps for Orienting Foundation Board Members >> Set your goals If you define your goals before designing the... Read More
It is always a good policy to have a grant agreement with grant recipients—not for when the grant goes well but, rather, for when it does not. With a grant agreement in place, it is easier to monitor a grant for performance according to the application, to see if anticipated outcomes are achieved, and to... Read More
With just a bit of time and effort to review nonprofits’ financials, you will get to know organizations better and choose those best equipped to create the changes you seek. Terms to know Assets represent what the nonprofit owns—Current assets are the sum of all assets that could be converted to cash in less than... Read More