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Equity: It’s Not Just an Urban Issue
Over the past few years, there has been an uptick in conversations, meetings, and efforts to embrace equity in philanthropy. Sometimes we see this growing interest manifest as a new portfolio; sometimes it’s embedded in a revised mission and vision. This movement has been a long time coming, and there are many who have toiled... Read More
How Planning to Close Her Foundation’s Doors Was the Right Business Model
The first blog in a 3-part series When Fran Sykes, founder and president of Pascale Sykes Foundation, tells people she is purposely closing her foundation’s doors in four years as a conscientious business strategy, people seem puzzled. Why would anyone purposely go out of business? Like many foundations, Pascale Sykes was originally established in perpetuity.... Read More
National Funder, Local Influence: How To Be Mindful of Your Playing Field
I work for a foundation that is modestly young in the national grantmaking sector. At about four years into its current field, we can’t quite say we’re the new kid on the block anymore, but we’ve certainly seen a rapid amount of structural change since we first launched. Transitioning from a scholarship fund to an... Read More
Find Your Guiding Purpose in Philanthropy
Contributing your full self, the best that you can be, is important in any kind of enterprise. In small-staffed philanthropy, it’s essential. Small funders who’ve made significant, outsized impact often say the knowledge, relationships, “street savvy,” and reputation they leveraged played the crucial role. They will say, “Money wasn’t the most important thing. It was... Read More
Storytelling Mantras That Move Funders to Act: My Advice to Nonprofits
Last month, Exponent Philanthropy CEO Henry Berman spoke on storytelling at The Nonprofit Summit, a gathering sponsored by six organizations, including our members the Ausherman Family Foundation and Helen J. Serini Foundation, that provides the Frederick County, MD nonprofit sector with quality, affordable educational opportunities. If you represent a nonprofit, we hope you find this... Read More
Are Face-to-Face Meetings Obsolete?
Originally published by PEAK Grantmaking (November 17, 2017) A few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to attend a full day, in-person event with PEAK Grantmaking’s Midwest Regional Chapter. As a millennial (albeit on the older side of the generation) who started her career taking trainings online and conducting webinars, you might be surprised to... Read More