All foundation leaders have one thing in common: the desire to make a difference. But achieving impact requires good planning, intentional work, and a drive to keep learning and improving. This primer will help you undertake a thoughtful planning process that answers two important questions: What do we want to accomplish with our limited resources,... Read More
Your foundation needs policies in order to operate. Yet, the word policy can send some board members running. This primer walks you through 11 policies your foundation should consider and offers tools to empower your board as it works to fulfill the foundation’s mission. The policy topics covered in this primer include: Attending fundraisers Board... Read More
Ramping up giving offers your foundation a number of opportunities, including deeper stakeholder engagement, extended reach and influence, new funding strategies, and greater impact in your interest area. This primer is designed to help foundations like yours thoughtfully and responsibly plan for a significant ramp-up in giving and/or adjust to a sudden infusion of assets.... Read More
Your Essential Resource for Foundation Success The Foundation Guidebook is a practical guide for leaders of foundations with few or no staff. Whether you’re launching a new foundation or taking on a key role in an existing one, this updated edition provides essential insights and step-by-step guidance for effective foundation management. What’s Inside: Key Areas of... Read More
This discussion guide walks you through one foundation’s process of engaging in evaluation. Although this foundation is fictitious, it represents many small funders across the country. Using this guide, you’ll explore how this foundation: Engages in a strategic planning process. Keeps evaluation manageable. Learns and improves. The guide also features relevant Exponent Philanthropy resources as... 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