In recent years, with support from Exponent Philanthropy, 70 thoughtful, committed member volunteers have explored the path to impact in small-staffed philanthropy and contributed to publications, seminars, and other resources to make achieving impact more accessible to fellow funders. We’re grateful for their ongoing efforts and delighted to share some of the group’s insights here.... 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
Kylie, age 9, writes: Last year was such a great year. The board approved my grant request for Project HELP, and I presented a session called “Youth on Board” at the Exponent Philanthropy National Conference. I was the youngest person to present at the conference. I got to answer questions and even get interviewed afterward.... 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
A fiduciary is anyone who has the legal responsibility of caring for someone else’s money. Foundation board members and investment committee members would generally be called fiduciaries, required by law to be well informed about the assets under their care and to follow a prudent process in caring for them. In this webinar, learn to... Read More
From tough economic times come smart strategies like the following that are worth keeping in mind in good times as well as bad. Revisit your goals As foundation leaders face tough decisions, many are stepping back to reconsider their guiding principles, including mission, vision, and values—a good practice from time to time in any grantmaking... Read More