Here are the things a private foundation must do every year to remain a private foundation and stay out of trouble: Pay your annual excise tax on the foundation’s net investment income through quarterly estimated payments. File your federal tax returns and comply with state filing rules. Meet your annual minimum distribution requirement through grants... Read More
Are you equipped to recognize conflicts of interest and acts of self-dealing? Are you ready to respond if you uncover either at your foundation? Start here, and if you have further questions after reading this article, don’t hesitate to call on Exponent Philanthropy. Recognizing conflicts of interest Conflicts of interest arise when foundation roles intersect... Read More
To identify the technology that fits your foundation best, you’ll want to survey your board’s needs and the ever-changing technology resources available. You’ll also want to arm yourself with a good sense of your board’s tech-related strengths and shortcomings, working styles, and budget. Talking with other foundations about what works for them also may help.... Read More
Facilitation can and should be a key component of any grantmaker’s toolbox. According to Exponent Philanthropy members, a well-facilitated meeting: Sticks to an agenda Progresses smoothly Gets results Draws folks out Engages participants well Dissipates tense situations Increases participants’ buy-in Creates a space in which participants feel valued and important The ability to confidently and... Read More
Expenditure responsibility requires private foundations to: Take steps to ensure that grants to certain organizations are spent only for the charitable purposes for which they were made. Obtain full and complete reports from the grantee on how the funds were spent. Make full and detailed reports on the expenditures to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).... Read More
Private foundations, or PFs, occasionally consider making investments in vehicles in which one or more of their disqualified persons, or DPs (e.g., officers, directors, substantial contributors) also have invested or also are considering an investment. This article focuses on issues raised for investments in vehicles that are owned and managed by persons unrelated to the... Read More