Philanthropy doesn’t always have to be big to be bold. Sometimes, the most powerful change starts with a small, timely investment. Seed grants are often the first spark that allows a nonprofit to test an idea, take a risk, or prove a concept. They’re not about guaranteeing success, but rather creating the conditions for innovation.... Read More
How can small, early-stage grants spark outsized impact? This new case study explores how the Howell Conservation Fund (HCF) used seed funding to accelerate environmental projects and test new ideas, while deepening relationships and learning as a lean funder. Through its 2023–2024 Catalytic Grant Program, HCF awarded nine $5,000 seed grants to organizations worldwide. The... Read More
For more than 20 years, I served as the executive director for a leanly staffed foundation with deep roots in a small city in upstate New York. The Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic legacy of a community bank founded in 1823, grew substantially after the bank’s acquisition by another financial institution in 2004.... Read More
For many foundations and non-profits, grantmaking is a cornerstone of their mission and funding strategy. Whether you are designing a new program or re-envisioning an existing one, a critical but often challenging step is aligning your program’s strategy and impact with your organization’s mission, vision, and values. Taking a step-by-step approach is key: craft a... Read More
Explore findings from the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s July 2025 report, Voices That Matter: How Nonprofits and Foundations Engage With the Communities They Support. The report sheds light on how organizations gather community feedback, where gaps remain, and what funders can do differently. You’ll also hear from Exponent Philanthropy members on how lean funders build... Read More
Animal and environmental causes receive just 3% of all nonprofit giving, yet the ripple effects of companion animal welfare extend far beyond pets. From housing instability and public health to community safety and economic resilience, animal welfare is deeply intertwined with human well-being, especially in systemically excluded communities. At the Animal Assistance Foundation (AAF), Colorado’s... Read More