Don’t spend your days dreaming of more engaged members. Here are some ideas to get your trustees’ attention and breathe some life into your board: Communicate with your trustees–Ask them (either individually or as a group) what they want out of board service. Are they satisfied with the way things are? What would they like... Read More
How do foundation trustees become a vibrant, unified team with members who are moving in the same direction? How do they become a team that respects one another’s values while passionately sharing a clear and common vision? Developing a mission statement can help trustees focus. It’s a challenge to know one’s own values and to... Read More
You expect a lot of the individuals and organizations that apply for your grants, because better granting means greater impact. You trust them to come with big ideas and clear vision. You want them armed with budgets, schedules, plans, and actionable objectives. You look to them for ways to invigorate a community, further a cause,... Read More
You probably know the feeling. You’ve attended a dynamic conference, read a groundbreaking book, or had an inspiring conversation with a colleague. You know that if you could just get your boss or your board to act on this newfound knowledge, you could make some real changes that result in measurable improvement—either within your own... Read More
Site visits are one of the best ways to make grant decisions because in essence, site visits are a living, breathing grant proposal. These visits give you the chance to connect directly with the organization’s board and staff, discover things that can’t be learned from a written proposal, and clarify information that is important to... Read More
One of the most important decisions you will make for your foundation is selecting your board members. The people you choose will help shape your foundation’s future and influence its ability to fulfill its mission. This primer guides you through an effective board recruitment process. It covers topics including: Identifying and cultivating potential board members... Read More