Philanthropy has the power to drive systemic change, but what does it take to move beyond traditional grantmaking? The Catalytic Philanthropy Podcast features funders who are challenging the status quo—leading with trust, taking strategic risks, and building deep community relationships. In our refreshed Foundation Guidebook, we highlight key podcast episodes that showcase how funders are making... Read More
Last week, I attended Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) in Washington, DC, with three Exponent Philanthropy colleagues to discuss how federal policy changes impact our communities and nonprofit partners. The 22nd FOTH brought together a record number of donors, foundation leaders, and nonprofit staff to be briefed on legislative actions and provided guidance advocacy in... Read More
Philanthropy is constantly evolving. Pressing issues and major political, economic, and technological shifts push funders to reassess their approach. Some lean funders—those with few or no staff—stand out by centering their giving on authentic relationships with grantees and community members. Exponent Philanthropy calls this approach Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP), a mindset and practice that... Read More
At Exponent Philanthropy, we believe lean foundations can drive significant change through thoughtful strategies and meaningful community engagement. Malcolm MacLeod, board chair of the Johnson Scholarship Foundation, recently shared how his foundation has embraced these practices to achieve transformative outcomes. He discusses this in depth on a recent episode of The Catalytic Podcast: Supercharging Impact:... Read More
A few years ago, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation made the difficult decision to let go of certain issues and organizations in order to focus our giving more effectively. Our board of directors chose to invest in city leaders, their networks, and the organizations that support them. This shift led us to rethink our entire approach... 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