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
To prevent certain abuses that could stem from allowing a nonprofit to control a for-profit enterprise (e.g., propping up stock prices), private foundations are prohibited from owning more than a small portion of any business enterprise. Specifically, the Internal Revenue Service prohibits a foundation, together with its disqualified persons, from holding more than a 20%... Read More
Private foundations may grant to individuals in four permitted ways, with different recordkeeping and Form 990-PF reporting requirements for each. Grants to individuals for travel, study, or similar purposes via a public charity intermediary, such as a school or university Issuing a grant to an intermediary is the simplest way to award travel fellowships, scholarships,... Read More
Bringing grantees together is an important aspect of work at the Access Strategies Fund. The fund not only provides grantees with financial support but helps them create a network of organizations in Massachusetts that are working to ensure that the electoral process is fair and open. The work that this foundation funds requires a long-term... Read More
For foundations, supporting start-ups comes with challenges, including taking risks on unproven ideas and helping to build organizations from the ground up. Your small foundation colleagues who fund start-ups, though, say that this extra commitment is anything but a negative. It can be incredibly rewarding—both personally and professionally. Take The Lynch Foundation in Boston. Founded... Read More