Simple Actions Family Foundation is a young foundation inspired by decades of family values. My husband, Eric, and I, together with our two daughters in their early twenties, created our family foundation in 2008. We knew from the start that we would be creative about its setup and implementation to reflect the goals at the... Read More
It’s December and your foundation wants to fulfill its payout requirement within the calendar year. What can you do? Ask your local community foundation, association of grantmakers, or giving circles for information about community needs and nonprofits they support. Consult with members of the faith community. Ask your government social services agencies, United Way, or... Read More
Consider offsetting capital losses with capital gains. Over the past decade, the largest taxable component of investment income for most foundations has been realized capital gains. Foundation management should review their portfolio to ascertain if they can take losses to offset any realized gains. Foundations should be aware that any excess capital losses over capital... Read More
Private foundations must follow more stringent rules than public charities, pay an excise tax on net investment income, and pay out an amount equal to 5% of their assets annually. Public charities that are tipped into private foundation status also may lose funding. Many foundations will not give grants to other private foundations, and individual... 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
A mission statement is a short, written declaration about why you are engaging in philanthropy or, if your giving structure is a foundation, why the foundation exists. Mission statements are powerful because they are heartfelt, simple, and easily communicated. A mission can help you: Make the best use of your resources by focusing grants and... Read More