Managing a private foundation with staff requires more than just focusing on its mission; it also demands careful attention to human resources. By addressing key HR questions, you can ensure your foundation is legally compliant, ethically sound, and a positive place to work. Below is a checklist to help guide your HR practices. Advisors and... Read More
When foundations require detailed and specialized grant applications and reporting, it creates a lot of extra work for nonprofits. If a nonprofit secures funding from 20 to 30 foundations, it must manage applications to 40, 50, or 60 different foundations, each with unique requirements. Additionally, it must prepare grant reports for 20 to 30 foundations,... Read More
Are your foundation’s finances well-managed? As a lean funder, you know the importance of keeping things efficient and organized. Taking care of the finance function is no exception. Follow these four fundamentals to ensure your foundation’s finances are in great shape. 1. Keep a Finance Calendar At lean foundations, it’s common for one or two... Read More
Health insurance is one of the most common benefits lean foundations offer to staff after time off and retirement plans. In the 2025 Foundation Operations and Management Report, 76% of foundations offered health insurance for full-time staff. One of the most frequent topics in our Member Discussion Community is how best to secure health insurance... Read More
In today’s world, funders are constantly looking for ways to optimize their processes and streamline their work. As the needs of your communities evolve, it’s crucial to keep up with the latest technologies. One solution is to use a grant management system built for funders to help streamline your grantmaking lifecycle. In this blog post,... Read More
What’s your foundation’s brand? Many foundations don’t recognize the value of investing in their brand. Yet, organizations that prioritize and integrate strategic communications into their core operations have a distinct advantage meeting their goals and executing their missions. What Is a Foundation Brand? Your foundation brand isn’t your logo. Your brand is the complex mix of... Read More