You expect a lot of the individuals and organizations that apply for your grants, because better granting means greater impact. You trust them to come with big ideas and clear vision. You want them armed with budgets, schedules, plans, and actionable objectives. You look to them for ways to invigorate a community, further a cause,... Read More
From masterful communicators to continual learners, phenomenal foundation executive directors share a number of characteristics and skills. Masterful communicators It’s taken me time to feel comfortable communicating from my heart. For many years, I thought of that as less than professional, but I’m learning that part of being an effective communicator is to deliver authentic... Read More
Documenting and sharing your story can guide those who lead the foundation now and in the future, articulate your goals to potential grantees and the public at large, and inspire all those who are touched by the foundation’s good work. How are Exponent Philanthropy members telling their stories? Keep it simple For Jane Leighty Justis,... Read More
Funders of all types and sizes are using strategic communications to advance their philanthropic goals, especially in today’s world that demands increasing transparency. This webinar addressed how thoughtful and strategic media engagement can amplify the impact of your philanthropy and offered tips for engaging media using Exponent Philanthropy’s new Media Toolkit as a guide. Speakers: Rob DiLeonardi, executive... 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
What’s your system for foundation recordkeeping? If you haven’t yet established a system for keeping good records, now is the time. This primer explains what documents to keep and for how long, and then describes how to organize your documents by creating a records management system. Why Should You Keep Good Records? As any foundation... Read More