Blog

Topic: “Grantmaking”

Rethinking Capacity-Building Grants: A Call for Change

October 16, 2024 Hannah Smith / Equity, Grantmaking

Capacity-building grants have long been a staple in philanthropy, designed to help nonprofits improve effectiveness and sustainability. These grants usually focus on strengthening infrastructure, skills, and systems to support an organization’s mission. However, recent critiques suggest the traditional framework needs a significant overhaul, especially to better serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led nonprofits.... Read More

Why We Accept Proposals Written for Other Funders

October 8, 2024 Lisa Pilar Cowan / Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy, Grantmaking

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

Why We Give Grants Even When We Say No

August 19, 2024 Katie Briggs / Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy, Grantmaking

Laird Norton Family Foundation is in its 84th year and is a family-involved organization. Today the family is in its 8th generation and numbers more than 500 members across the globe, but by many other measures, we’re a small foundation, with approximately $40M in assets and grantmaking of about $2M per year. We do our... Read More

How To Make Your First Seed Funding Grant

August 12, 2024 Brett Howell John Richardson Kirsten Midura / Grantmaking

A seed funding grant is more than just financial support; it’s a powerful way to make an impact by getting involved early in a project’s journey. This small, initial investment allows nonprofits or entrepreneurs to test their ideas before pursuing larger grants from corporations, foundations, or government agencies. At the same time, seed grants give... Read More

Cybercrime is a Growing Threat Communities Need to Address— And Philanthropy Can Help

August 6, 2024 Jud Fisher / Grantmaking, Leadership

This Op-Ed originally appeared on the Ball Brothers Foundation website. The threats we face in the digital world are evolving at a frightening pace. From phishing schemes and ransomware attacks to identity theft and deepfake impersonations, the list of cyber threats keeps expanding. As technology advances—and the internet becomes ever more integrated into our daily... Read More

Grantmaking Basics: Creating Grant Guidelines

July 31, 2024 Exponent Philanthropy / Grantmaking

It’s not always easy for grantseekers to understand how foundations operate, or how to access them. Grant guidelines are a valuable tool to communicate your interests and strategies, clarify what you fund, and explain how to apply. The clearer your guidelines, the more likely you’ll receive proposals that align with your goals. Clear guidelines also... Read More

Blog

Rethinking Capacity-Building Grants: A Call for Change

Why We Accept Proposals Written for Other Funders

Why We Give Grants Even When We Say No

How To Make Your First Seed Funding Grant

Cybercrime is a Growing Threat Communities Need to Address— And Philanthropy Can Help

Grantmaking Basics: Creating Grant Guidelines

Listening as Leadership: How One Question Changed Our Role as Funders

People Are Hungry to Connect. Here’s How Funders Can Lead the Way.

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