When I started my job as a program officer at Ball Brothers Foundation a little over two years ago, I knew I had a lot to learn. There were technical aspects of working for a foundation that I knew I’d need to master (grant files, legal dos and don’ts), and it was also important for... Read More
My family and I are dedicated philanthropists. We work hard to maximize the impact of our philanthropic dollars across a wide range of social issues. My passion is children’s health. This area of medical research and care is often overlooked or underfunded, and yet the unmet needs are great. As a survivor of brain cancer... Read More
World-class athletes do not casually approach a championship match, but rather spend years in training. Likewise, nonprofit organizations and the third-party advisors with whom they partner are now taking the same disciplined, planned approach to navigating the future—including periods of transition. Transitions can be difficult, overwhelming, and can affect everyone from staff, board, and committee... Read More
As president of the foundation and son of the founders, I feel that our strategy leverages our assets exponentially. Here is how we do it. Established in 1984, the Zeigler Foundation is a small family foundation composed of seven board members with an endowment of just over $2.7 million. In 20 years we have distributed... Read More
Your foundation can be extremely imaginative while still keeping its grantmaking straightforward. Or it can take full advantage of the tax code’s flexibility to make grants that are more complicated—and still perfectly legal. Our goal is neither to encourage you to stay simple or to get complicated with your giving, but to help you be aware... Read More
Managing a private foundation with staff requires more than just focusing on its mission; it also demands careful attention to human resources. By addressing key HR questions, you can ensure your foundation is legally compliant, ethically sound, and a positive place to work. Below is a checklist to help guide your HR practices. Advisors and... Read More