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
Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP) is a mindset and practice that empowers lean, place-based foundations to unleash their full potential to spark transformative change on issues prioritized by local communities. By embracing their unique abilities to act quickly, focus persistently, and nurture deep relationships, individuals who embrace CLIP go beyond typical grantmaking and become dynamic... Read More
Our highly-rated publication for members provides a wealth of information and inspiration in one easy read. In this issue: A Call for Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy Getting Out Into the Community: Start Identifying Gaps and Leveraging Points for Change The Value of Focusing Your Giving My Family’s Foundation Entered the Policy Arena, and We’re Not... Read More
When lean funders combine their grantmaking, influence, and passion, they have more impact than either could individually. The Leighty Foundation (Juneau, AK) and the Lodestar Foundation (Phoenix, AZ) both believe that strategic volunteer engagement can advance the missions of funders and their grant partners. Volunteers are often the first to respond to pressing community needs.... Read More
After time off and retirement plans, health insurance is one of the most common benefits small-staffed foundations offer staff. Consider, in the 2023 Foundation Operations and Management Report, 78% of foundations offered health insurance for full-time staff. One of the most frequent topics on our Member Discussion Community is how to best go about securing... Read More
Racial equity is a critical element of philanthropy. While lean funders are increasingly focused on it, foundation boards and staff remain disproportionately White. Two of the primary factors holding back philanthropy’s efforts to advance social change are both tied to race: Understanding Race’s Role in the Issues: How race shapes the problems philanthropists aim to... Read More