There truly is nothing mysterious or glamorous about convening: It simply means gathering a group of people around a clear, common purpose. Yet, many consider this straightforward tool to be a funder’s most underrated one. Some Exponent Philanthropy members doubt they have the expertise. However, with the freedom and flexibility to make things happen fast, small-staffed funders... Read More
Consider a foundation with assets of $10 million. A foundation of that size would be required to disburse $500,000 annually to satisfy the 5% distribution requirement. Although you are (hopefully) carefully working to decide who gets what portion of this $500,000, the remaining $9.5 million also needs your attention. $9.5 million. If the sheer size... Read More
For starters, which foundations should consider having a pension plan? One consideration is eligibility: Any foundation that compensates any individuals for their services, whether those individuals are full-time employees, part-timers, or board members, can set up a pension plan for those individuals. Of course, tax-exempt organizations don’t gain the same tax benefits from pension contributions... Read More
The most effective boards engage in a continual process of self-assessment, that is, an evaluation of their performance. The assessment focuses on how you function as a board, not how you operate as a foundation. For some, this may be familiar thinking; for others, a board assessment provides a framework to think about how the... Read More
A well-run board retreat energizes people and propels your foundation forward. Unfortunately, many board members approach retreats with about as much enthusiasm as a trip to the dentist. This dread often is justified: Lack of preparation, hidden agendas, or unproductive communication can make a retreat seem like a big step backward for the foundation. The... Read More
The full board generally is responsible for shared leadership of the foundation. The board ensures clarity of purpose and goals, and assesses and implements the best approach to get the work done. Officers, in particular, are responsible for broad oversight and general leadership. The foundation may choose to have any officer positions that serve it... Read More