It is becoming increasingly common for foundations to consider closing shop. While the reasons you’re contemplating this option may be straightforward, the process of closing can be complicated. The primer walks you through the strategy choices, tasks, and legal steps of closing shop so you can be confident that you know the main legal issue... Read More
Self-assessment is an excellent choice for small foundation boards at any stage. Whether your board is focused on fundraising, revising your mission and strategies, or struggling with internal divisions, a good self-assessment offers practical, useful results that help your board stay on track. This primer is designed to empower your board to take a thoughtful... Read More
This bundle of four primers has valuable information about overseeing your foundation’s investments. These primers include: Getting It Done: The Who and How of Small Foundation Investing Creating a Strategy and Plan for Your Foundation’s Investing: Developing and Using an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) Essentials of Impact Investing: A Guide for Small Staffed Foundations Leveraging... Read More
Developing an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) sets the course for managing your foundation’s assets through time. It also reinforces how your investment policy and practices will help to achieve your foundation’s mission and goals. This primer describes how to develop your IPS and guides you through three main tasks, including: Making strategy decisions that lay... Read More
Managing a small foundation is rewarding, but it also has its risks. Whether you have few or no employees, all foundations face some basic insurance and financial risks. Foundations are essentially just like any corporate entity; they’re simply nonprofit businesses. So, you face the same risks as any leader of a corporation, such as errors... Read More
How do you know if your foundation’s Form 990-PF is true, correct, and complete? Can you simply assume an accountant will get it right? Unfortunately, the answer is no. In fact, regulators estimate that at least 25% of all 990-PFs have errors. Despite this statistic, there is hope. This primer highlights problem areas, offers tips,... Read More