Grant applications are an important touchpoint for nonprofits and grantmakers alike. Recently, Blackbaud has been taking a hard look at the modern grantee experience for those who use our portal for grant applications. We wanted to know if the grantee portal afforded our funder clients the flexibility to get the information they needed, while also... Read More
The Outsized Impact Award honors an individual at an Exponent Philanthropy member organization whose style of philanthropy is achieving outsized (or greater than expected) impact. Read about the inspiring work of our 2023 finalists » Sheena Solomon The Gifford Foundation (Syracuse, NY) As Executive Director of The Gifford Foundation, Sheena Solomon envisions solutions to systemic problems, helping the... Read More
This sample RFP, provided by the Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation, outlines how a private foundation can solicit proposals from accounting firms for part-time, contract-based bookkeeping and accounting services. It includes a detailed scope of work, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria—making it a useful template for foundations looking to hire external financial support. Read More
Capacity-building grants have long been a staple in philanthropy, designed to help nonprofits improve effectiveness and sustainability. These grants usually focus on strengthening infrastructure, skills, and systems to support an organization’s mission. However, recent critiques suggest the traditional framework needs a significant overhaul, especially to better serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led nonprofits.... Read More
You’ve Decided to Start a Foundation—Now What? You’ve taken the first step in launching a foundation—now it’s time to bring your vision to life. Beyond the legal and financial considerations, defining your philanthropic focus is key to making a lasting impact. This page will guide you through the essentials to help you get started. How... Read More
New legislative developments in Washington are adding fresh challenges for funders and foundations. The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” recently passed the House and now heads to the Senate, where further debate is expected. Thanks to strong sector advocacy, harmful provisions, such as revoking nonprofit status and taxing nonprofit branding, were removed before the final... Read More
