Assessing your foundation’s work is a big task—but you don’t have to start from scratch. We’ve created these assessments, guides, and toolkits to help lean funders reflect on their practices and create outsized impact in their communities. These resources support every stage of your philanthropy journey, whether you’re brainstorming with peers or preparing to shift your funding approach for greater impact.

10-Minute Impact Assessment

Explore How to Make The Most of Your Giving
A quick, practical tool to help your foundation discuss impact, surface strengths, and identify opportunities to increase effectiveness. Designed for easy use in meetings, it helps spark focused, productive conversations about your giving.

Practical Board Self-Assessment

Improve Your Foundation’s Effectiveness
A structured approach to board assessment that encourages thoughtful reflection, constructive dialogue, and shared accountability. This tool helps boards identify priorities and take practical steps toward stronger governance.

Great Funder–Nonprofit Relationships Toolkit

Strengthen Your Partnerships
A practical toolkit to help funders assess relationships with nonprofit partners, strengthen essential competencies, and improve collaboration. It supports more transparent communication and more effective, trust-based partnerships.

 

Peer Circles Guide

Learn and Connect Through Peer Conversations
A planning guide to help funders design and host engaging peer discussions that foster shared learning and mutual support. Includes facilitation tips and tools to create meaningful, productive conversations.

 

Peer Coaching Guide

Build Stronger Connections with Fellow Funders
A step-by-step guide to help you prepare for, engage in, and reflect on peer coaching conversations. Includes practical tools to support meaningful exchanges and continued learning. Developed with expertise from Jen Lachman of Lachman Consulting.

 

Racial Equity in Lean Foundations: Reflection Questions and Implementation Ideas

Turn Reflection into Action
A companion resource with practical questions and action steps to help funders advance racial equity in their work. Designed to move learning into practice through reflection, dialogue, and implementation.