Program related investments (PRIs) are a special type of grant that gained popularity during the Great Recession to preserve endowment assets while pursuing a charitable mission. PRIs are program tools like grants and should not be confused with other forms of socially responsible investing in which producing financial return is a priority. How does a... Read More
Essentially, a program related investment (PRI) is a loan or investment that counts toward a foundation’s 5% distribution requirement. Rather than funds permanently leaving the corpus of the foundation, the funds go out, do good, and come back to be used again. One relatively easy way to make PRIs is to invest in community development... Read More
The past 10 years have been exciting ones for the Hill-Snowdon Foundation and the Snowdon family. For 40 years prior, we acted as a typical family foundation, coming together once a year to nominally approve grants recommended by family members. We funded some wonderful organizations reflecting the varied interests of the family, but you would... Read More
By communicating openly, you can build good relationships with potential partners from the start—and quickly help others move on to other funders. “It’s important to remember that our success as grantmakers depends on our grantees’ success,” says Exponent Philanthropy member Christine Elbel of The Fleishhacker Foundation. “If we can improve our processes, we’re contributing to... Read More
Partner with Exponent Philanthropy to learn how your grantees and applicants feel about your relationship and grant process. This custom, confidential online survey helps lean foundation boards and staff understand their strengths and weaknesses, initiate dialogue, and agree on a plan of action. Survey themes include: Understanding your goals and strategies Application, due diligence, reporting, and... 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