Managing a small foundation is rewarding, but it also has its risks. Whether you have few or no employees, all foundations face some basic insurance and financial risks. Foundations are essentially just like any corporate entity; they’re simply nonprofit businesses. So, you face the same risks as any leader of a corporation, such as errors... Read More
Beyond dollars, small foundations hold unique assets that benefit your mission, program focus, or community. These include: Deep knowledge of community needs Ability to focus over time Ability to act quickly Reputation as community institutions Creativity and insight of board members and staff This primer features 20 strategies that draw upon these assets to make... Read More
Every organization, no matter the size, should consider developing a media strategy. Beautifully landscaped Facebook pages and carefully crafted tweets are less important than unified messages and timely goals. The following general guidelines, excerpted from our Media Toolkit can be adopted by any nonprofit or foundation seeking to build relationships with its community and craft a powerful... Read More
We designed this handbook specifically for trustees and directors of small-staffed foundations, and key staff who work closely with them. It provides information on and insights into foundation fundamentals: governance, grantmaking, legal compliance, and financial oversight. At the same time, it shares a wealth of tips and tools to orient you to the trustee role.... Read More
What’s your system for foundation recordkeeping? If you haven’t yet established a system for keeping good records, now is the time. This primer explains what documents to keep and for how long, and then describes how to organize your documents by creating a records management system. Why Should You Keep Good Records? As any foundation... Read More
Small foundations often know the problems and needs in their communities better than most. That is why it can be valuable for foundations to leverage their resources and understanding of local needs to support nonprofit advocacy. But how do you get started? This primer provides you with a wide “comfort zone” for funding advocacy activities,... Read More