Terms To Know Assets represent what the nonprofit owns. Current assets are the sum of all assets that the nonprofit could convert to cash in less than one year. This includes cash and cash equivalents or accounts receivable. Long-term assets are the sum of all other assets, such as property, long-term certificates of deposit, or... Read More
Grants Management Initial Questions The first step toward determining if your foundation will benefit from a grants management system requires discussing your priorities and parameters: What does your foundation want to track? Exponent Philanthropy members tend to track some or all of the following: Contact information for grant applicants and recipients (organizational and individual) Basic... Read More
Board policies work in tandem with a foundation’s bylaws or trust document to create the foundation’s structure. Bylaws or the trust document are legally binding and based in state law; policies are also considered binding, but they are less likely to be backed by force of law and are easier to amend (e.g., usually by... Read More
Good recordkeeping throughout the year will make it easy to compile your annual report. Here are some tips: Start a folder at the beginning of the year. Use it to save lists of grants, speeches by board members and staff, newspaper clips, news releases, fund reports, photos, and so on. Read colleagues’ annual reports for... Read More
From a tax law perspective, a private foundation may pay “reasonable and necessary” administrative expenses. These also count toward its annual distribution requirement, without subjecting the foundation or its managers to a penalty tax. Administrative expenses must be (a) related to the accomplishment of the foundation’s charitable purposes, (b) related to its investments, or (c)... Read More
Whether your foundation is new or well established, here are some ways you can let the public know you give grants: Distribute your mission and guidelines on your website and at local nonprofit events. Talk with other foundations that have similar program interests. They can sometimes refer grantees to you. Ask if your regional association... Read More