When most people think of foundations, they think of deep pockets. That’s understandable, since the popular public perception of philanthropy has been shaped by the creation of multimillion-dollar foundations by titans of old, and enforced by the glamour of new foundations launched to much fanfare by today’s billionaires. In rural communities, the creation of big-dollar... Read More
Exponent Philanthropy member and foundation consultant Dawn Franks, founder/CEO of Your Philanthropy, recently published the e-book Giving Fingerprints, designed to help funders recognize where their giving is taking them and what it tells others about them. This post is adapted from the e-book, available now for complimentary download. You have a unique giving brand. Whether... Read More
Though many of us support partnerships between grantees, our role is often limited to grant-related financial transactions. Time and again in our work at the Crimsonbridge Foundation, we’ve found that going beyond grants to be partners alongside our grantees has a multiplying effect on our philanthropic dollars. One example is our decade-long partnership with the... Read More
Many years ago, Sister Janice of the Sisters of Notre Dame advised me to “never confuse the expression of religion with the essence of religion.” Amid Passover, Easter, and Ramadan, her words ring truer now than ever as COVID-19 makes us reassess how we celebrate these holy days. This Passover, a computer monitor was center... Read More
Philanthropy has a new champion. Her name is MacKenzie Scott. Recently, Scott announced that in her relatively short time in philanthropy, she’s given $1.7 billion to 116 nonprofits. Many of the organizations are devoted to equity, and those organizations are largely led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people. While the amount represents a... Read More
The Chapel Hill Foundation, based in Plattsburgh, New York, in the Adirondack foothills and on the shores of Lake Champlain has a dual mission: enriching the lives of children, and meeting the challenges of an aging society. We’re a small foundation with assets under $2 million, and annual grants totaling about $75,000. One of our... Read More