Eager to pilot our new Grantee and Applicant Perception Survey with her grantees, Meg Ramsey (The Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation, Lincoln, MA) was especially interested to learn what her grantees were thinking about the foundation’s grant process, reporting, and site visits. Anonymity was key, so her grantees did not feel that providing constructive criticism or... Read More
Exponent Philanthropy has released the fourth edition of its Racial Equity in Lean Foundations report, the most comprehensive version to date. The publication is based on survey data from over 300 lean foundations and qualitative interviews with more than 25 foundations, consultants, and nonprofits, offering insights into how lean funders are advancing equity. For the... 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
When disaster strikes, it can be overwhelming to know how best to help. As a funder, you want to ensure that your contributions make a real difference in both the short and long term. Experts and experience have shown that the most effective grantmaking in disaster situations follows four key principles—Connect, Collaborate, Consider, and Communicate.... Read More
The Outsized Impact Award recognizes someone from an Exponent Philanthropy member organization whose giving has achieved greater-than-expected results. Learn about our inspiring 2024 finalists » Amy Nossaman Grants Program Manager, Legacy Foundation (Ottumwa, IA) With over 25 years in the grants and philanthropy sector, Amy Nossaman brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to community... Read More
When investors think about commodities, they often recall the 1970s, the last time commodities were in vogue in the investor’s playbook. Over the last 40 years, with falling interest rates and a focus on bonds and stocks, commodities have largely been ignored as an investment class. Decline of Commodities As prices for commodities dropped, many... Read More