As funders, you may participate in board meetings and site visits, committee meetings and funder collaboratives, grantee convenings and focus groups, staff meetings, and more. Having adept facilitation skills can make these gatherings more efficient, engaging and enjoyable for all. Here are ten ways to boost your facilitation skills: 1. Plan, Plan, Plan Most facilitation... Read More
Understanding the type of funder you are—and matching with like-minded nonprofit leaders—is one of the most important building blocks to achieving your funding goals. As nonprofit development consultants, we create funder profiles to help our clients better understand the various types of philanthropists and how to best engage them. What Type of Philanthropist Are You? A... Read More
The Darr Family Foundation is somewhat unique to the field of family philanthropy. The founder, William (Bill) H. Darr, is still living, but not a board member. Similarly, the executive director is non-family. Honoring a living founder Bill Darr grew up on a small farm in Ellington, Missouri. He pioneered a food dehydration technique for... Read More
Several years ago, I was honored to give the opening plenary, From Biases to Strengths, for Exponent Philanthropy’s 2018 National Conference. I stood before you and said, “When we raise our collective voices and make courageous use of resources—that is when we stop the hate. That is when we advance our communities. And that is,... Read More
As program officer at the POISE Foundation, Traci Johnson helps Black-led, Black-serving organizations bring change to their communities. During the pandemic, Traci recognized Black-led organizations and communities were far more impacted. She wanted to alleviate burdens on grantees, and speed up the time it took to get resources into the hands of organizations serving on... Read More
As CEO of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Anne Marie Dougherty’s approach to philanthropy is entrepreneurial, data-driven, and systems-oriented. Under Anne Marie’s leadership, the foundation is breaking out of the veteran philanthropy silo and embracing the business world. They’re helping partners understand their contributions as an investment in the well-being of veterans and their families, but... Read More