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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
Building a Strong HR Framework: A Checklist for Private Foundations
Managing a private foundation with staff requires more than just focusing on its mission; it also demands careful attention to human resources. By addressing key HR questions, you can ensure your foundation is legally compliant, ethically sound, and a positive place to work. Below is a checklist to help guide your HR practices. Advisors and... Read More
Why We Give Grants Even When We Say No
Laird Norton Family Foundation is in its 84th year and is a family-involved organization. Today the family is in its 8th generation and numbers more than 500 members across the globe, but by many other measures, we’re a small foundation, with approximately $40M in assets and grantmaking of about $2M per year. We do our... Read More