When an open seat becomes available on your board, how do you decide who will fill it? Do you cross your fingers and hope for the best? Many small foundations rely on luck: filling the board with candidates who have the right last name or the right connection to the board. These candidates, though, might... Read More
Writes Ken Berger, former president of Charity Navigator: A while ago, a researcher on the nonprofit landscape created a list of every “information intermediary” (including Charity Navigator, GuideStar, BBB, etc.) and calculated there were over 100 of us. . . . Whatever barriers to entry there were in starting such groups have largely dissolved, given... Read More
In growing numbers, Exponent Philanthropy members are heading online to receive and review applications, generate award letters, receive grant reports, and much more. What advantages do members report? Less paper, more time Grantmaking involves many administrative tasks—from distributing applications for review to sending grant agreements—and many of the tasks are repetitive and tedious. Rather than... Read More
Whether joining together to voice your support for a cause or to make grants as a pooled fund, funding partnerships have many benefits: They allow you to work on a larger scale—either in dollars, visibility, or other resources—to risk-share, and to leverage your dollars. Funding partnerships also make for deepened relationships with other funders, which,... Read More
Recent surveys of Exponent Philanthropy foundation members have revealed that more than 60% provide health insurance options to their full-time staff. Nearly 20% provide health insurance to their part-time staff. See our most recent member survey data. Exponent Philanthropy does not offer a group health insurance policy at this time because state-specific regulations make it... Read More
The content of an agenda is at the chair’s discretion, although all board members should have the privilege of placing items on the agenda for discussion or action. Board agendas should include at least the following: Approval of the previous meeting minutes—Even if you meet only once a year, you must do this approval. Try... Read More