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Rethinking Capacity-Building Grants: A Call for Change
Capacity-building grants have long been a staple in philanthropy, designed to help nonprofits improve effectiveness and sustainability. These grants usually focus on strengthening infrastructure, skills, and systems to support an organization’s mission. However, recent critiques suggest the traditional framework needs a significant overhaul, especially to better serve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-led nonprofits.... Read More
Why We Accept Proposals Written for Other Funders
A few years ago, the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation made the difficult decision to let go of certain issues and organizations in order to focus our giving more effectively. Our board of directors chose to invest in city leaders, their networks, and the organizations that support them. This shift led us to rethink our entire approach... Read More
2024 Outsized Impact Award Finalists
The Outsized Impact Award recognizes an individual from an Exponent Philanthropy member organization whose giving has achieved results that are greater than expected. Learn about our inspiring 2024 finalists.» Amy Nossaman Grants Program Manager, Legacy Foundation (Ottumwa, IA) With over 25 years in the grants and philanthropy sector, Amy Nossaman brings extensive experience and a... Read More
Commodities Revisited: A Look at the Forces Shaping Today’s Market
When investors think about commodities, they often recall the 1970s, the last time commodities were in vogue in the investor’s playbook. Over the last 40 years, with falling interest rates and a focus on bonds and stocks, commodities have largely been ignored as an investment class. Decline of Commodities As prices for commodities dropped, many... Read More
Embracing Disability Inclusion: Our Commitment and Actions
Did you know that one in four American adults has a disability? Ryan Easterly, Executive Director of the WITH Foundation and co-chair of the Presidents’ Council on Disability Inclusion in Philanthropy, reminds us of the importance of this issue: “Whatever your mission is, you’re not doing it effectively if you’re not including a disability lens. Disability... Read More
6 Effective Advocacy Strategies for Lean Foundations
Advocacy is all about promoting a cause or idea to lawmakers, the media, and the public. It can be as simple as saying, “Poverty is bad,” to get people thinking about the issue. Advocacy takes many forms—public education, media campaigns, legal actions, and even voter registration. A lot of people confuse advocacy with lobbying. However,... Read More