Do you actively publicize your grantee partners and the work they do? If not, you should strongly consider it. Whenever we field our Grantee and Applicant Perception Surveys (GAPS), respondents frequently express wanting funders and foundations to do more to publicize their organizations and work. The following anonymous quotes are a small sample of what... Read More
Philanthropy is ever changing. Pressing issues and seismic political, economic, and technological shifts move us to regularly revisit how we work. Urgency, passion, curiosity, and the desire to engage are driving some lean funders (those with few or no staff) to center their giving around authentic relationships with grantees and members of their community. This... Read More
Some of the most effective foundations engaged in policy and advocacy in the United States are small, place-based foundations. By focusing deeply, developing insight into their issue, leveraging their reputation and relationships, and working with persistence, these funders are achieving extraordinary impact and a high return on their investment. Our Advocacy Field Guide for Lean... 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
This fundamental set of practices is a great place for funders to start advancing racial equity in philanthropy. That said, these actions are just the beginning. They complement a continual journey of learning about systemic racism. Equitable Grantmaking Practices Eliminate Barriers to Entry Don’t impose a minimum organizational size or budget in your grant guidelines. Instead,... Read More
What is a net grant and why does it matter? Well, time is money and grantees incur costs while applying for grants. For instance, think about how long it could take a nonprofit to customize their financial documents to your specifications, and language to your unique questions and formatting. According to Project Streamline, nonprofits can... Read More