There is no one path to having a career in leanly staffed foundations, as they operate in almost every locale in the nation. Still, there are qualities, skills and experiences that prepare people to effectively manage small foundation operations, engage boards, and leverage resources for impact. Patterns in Hiring First, let’s look at some career... Read More
Major cyberattacks seem to take place weekly. In recent years, everything from gas production to meat packing has been vulnerable. As executive director of the Middendorf Foundation, each incident raised my blood pressure. While I knew I needed to protect my organization, I didn’t feel like I had the right tools to do so. As... Read More
This primer introduces you to the wide world of foundation strategic planning. No two strategic plans are alike, and the process for developing and implementing strategic plans can be just as different. In this primer, you’ll discover why funders engage in strategic planning, get an overview of the strategic planning process, and hear what other... Read More
2020 was an unexpectedly challenging year. The pandemic changed the nature of work, and how we interact with our boards, staff and the nonprofits in our communities. We asked members of the Exponent Philanthropy community to reflect on COVID-19, how it affected their work in 2020, and what they foresee for 2021. Lean funders stepped... Read More
This document outlines how the foundation will continue operating during an unplanned disruption in service, i.e. natural disaster, pandemic or loss of staff. It contains contingencies for business processes, assets, human resources and business partners. We thank The Farmington Community Bank Foundation for this sample resource. Read More
This statement on the value and importance of inclusiveness and diversity was developed by the Board of Directors for the Surdna Foundation: Read More