When funders provide general operating support, they invest in a nonprofit’s mission—not just a specific project. This flexible funding allows nonprofits to decide how best to use resources, whether that means adjusting salaries, investing in technology, strengthening fundraising efforts, or covering operating costs. At its core, general operating support helps organizations stay strong, responsive, and... Read More
Our highly-rated publication for members provides a wealth of information and inspiration in one easy read. In this issue: Essentials for Creating Grant Guidelines A Call for Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy Is This Self-Dealing? Three Quick Questions to Ask 7 Types of Successful Philanthropists How Racial Equity Supports Better Grantmaking Practices Grantmaking for Equity: Essential,... Read More
You are not alone if you feel stuck administering grants for your small-staffed foundation using sticky notes, whiteboards, or spreadsheets. For many lean foundations, the high costs of implementing and maintaining a purpose-built grant management system (GMS) can be prohibitive. However, by leveraging the nonprofit license donation programs from industry-leading technology providers, you can create... Read More
This post originally appeared on GMA Foundations’ blog. Organizational budget size is a favorite proxy indicator in philanthropy. Donors use rules of thumb to streamline grantmaking due diligence, but generalizations are imperfect. Using organizational budget size as a proxy indicator can reinforce funding inequities and lead to lost opportunity. Here are a few ways to... Read More
Multiyear funding offers something nonprofits value deeply: predictability. When a foundation commits support for two or more years, it shifts the nature of the relationship. Organizations can plan beyond the next grant cycle. Retaining staff becomes more feasible. Strategic investments carry less risk. Leaders are able to focus less on short-term survival and more on... Read More
This post originally appeared on the Foundation Source blog. Many private foundations fund specific organizations multiple times over several grantmaking cycles. Doing so can help continue a particular charitable program or project, or simply provide a subsequent round of general operating support. As organizations seeking continued support (“returning grantees”) are viewed in a different light than first-time... Read More