No topic within private foundation rules raises as many questions and concerns as self-dealing. To ensure that foundation assets are used for charitable purposes rather than private benefit, the self-dealing rules prohibit a range of transactions between private foundations and their insiders, called disqualified persons. The self-dealing rules are broad and absolute. There are no... Read More
The law requires very little when making grants to most domestic public charities. Other than knowing a grantee’s tax status—your foundation has a great deal of flexibility. However, I regularly encounter funders, foundation staff and professional advisors who do not know this. What the Law Requires When Making Grants A few years ago, Project Streamline... Read More
In 1993, well before I left my job as CEO of Applied Materials, my wife Becky and I started our family foundation. Giving brings us joy. At the same time, we thought giving locally was important in Silicon Valley, where great need exists alongside great wealth. Becky and I wanted to identify good nonprofits and... Read More