Here are several ways to prepare children and teens for foundation giving. Invite them to board meetings Make younger family members feel like part of the group by inviting them to see how the foundation works. Keep in mind that board meetings can be tedious for some kids, especially younger ones. They don’t necessarily have... Read More
Stookey grew up and attended elementary school in Marshall, a small town just east of Battle Creek, MI. The year was 1936, and Stookey was a 5th grade student of Vyda Mumby during her second year of teaching. According to Stookey, Mumby “loved teaching; and like anyone doing something they like, she was good at... Read More
To kick-start your thinking about leadership at the organizations you fund: Start by building trust—To assess leadership well requires an honest dialogue between funder and nonprofit, and building the trusting relationship that facilitates such dialogue takes time. To build trust, be forthright in your communications with nonprofits and clear about your expectations. Make your grant... Read More
It is understandable that emerging leaders may feel underprepared. They often are the youngest or newest member of a board or staff, sometimes just starting their professional journeys. Something more powerful than age or experience also is at work, though: Almost to a fault—and, in Exponent Philanthropy’s experience, without exception—young leaders in philanthropy approach their... Read More
The manager, a Baby Boomer, wants to schedule a meeting where she can sit across the table from her employees and discuss the latest project. Her longtime staff member from the World War II generation is ready to go, looking to share stories about what used to work well for the company. Her Millennial employees,... Read More
Any private foundation can make scholarship grants directly to individuals if it receives advance approval from the Internal Revenue Service; the foundation can file. the Schedule H form to request this approval. If the recipient is chosen by an independent entity (e.g., college or community foundation), advance approval is not needed. George and Mary Josephine... Read More