How can foundation leaders best advance their focus areas? By developing extensive knowledge and insight. Leanly-staffed foundations hold a wealth of diverse connections with people in their communities, and they can leverage these relationships to gain knowledge and expertise. Insight helps these leaders identify gaps and solutions and address key issues in the smartest ways.... Read More
Have you ever wondered how getting a bunch of people in one room or space could be a game-changer? Well, convening folks with a common goal is powerful. Given their freedom and flexibility to make things happen fast, lean funders are excellent conveners. Yet, many consider this straightforward tool a funder’s most underrated. The Power... Read More
This post originally appeared on Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation’s blog. There are a number of studies that explore the value of sabbaticals in the nonprofit sector. The Durfee Foundation is perhaps best known for its advocacy for this tool in the sector. Our Board was convinced it was worth it for us to try out... Read More
As foundations strive to make meaningful change in support of their missions, understanding what leads to philanthropic impact is crucial. In the 2023 Foundation Operations and Management Report, foundations named insufficient grantmaking impact as one of their top challenges. In this blog, I’ll discuss a few factors that drive impact, as well as strategies for... Read More
With so many urgent issues in the world, deciding where to give can feel overwhelming. It’s natural to want to support multiple causes, but spreading your resources too thin can weaken your impact. Instead, consider the power of focused giving. By concentrating on a specific issue, community, or strategy, you can develop deeper expertise, build... Read More
Originally posted to GrantCraft’s blog “It must be so fun to give money away!” We’ve all heard this reaction when we tell people we are staff or board members of a grantmaking organization. And, yes, it is fun. But it’s also hard work. Good grantmaking, as we know, is about far more than reading piles... Read More