Private foundations are a great way to give. And many foundations use multiple giving vehicles to accomplish their charitable goals. One of these vehicles is donor advised funds (DAFs). This primer looks at how DAFs work and how your foundation can use DAFs to further its philanthropic goals. It covers: How DAFs differ from private... Read More
Illustrating the power of individual, family, and small-staffed foundation donors We are pleased to share with you our annual report, Outsized Impact 2016, which showcases many of our 2016 accomplishments and illustrates the power of small-staffed foundations, philanthropic families, and individual donors. We invite you to read these stories, share them with others, and embrace the... Read More
As a foundation, your success hinges on the success of your nonprofit grantees. And strong leaders play an essential role in the success of nonprofit organizations. This primer explores how your foundation can support emerging leaders in the nonprofit sector. In it, you will: Learn about the obstacles to recruiting and retaining leaders in the... Read More
Understand Your Grantees’ Perspectives Exponent Philanthropy’s Grantee and Applicant Perception Survey (GAPS) offers foundations a way to gather feedback from grantees and applicants on their processes, communication, and impact. The survey includes both multiple-choice and open-ended questions, allowing foundations to assess key areas like responsiveness, clarity, fairness, and collaboration. Multiple-choice questions cover topics such as: ... Read More
We all want to make an impact, or in simpler terms, make a real difference. This desire often leads foundations to ask themselves: “Could we make a bigger difference?” But with limited time, it can be challenging to figure out how to get there. This simple tool offers your organization a framework that you can... Read More
Most conversations on succession planning turn to how to bring on the next generation or whether to sunset the foundation. Eldon and Betts Mayer thought differently. They wondered if their community on an island in Maine would be willing to take on their family foundation. Three years later, the fund has an engaged board of... Read More