In our 2018 Foundation Operations and Management Report, 17% of member foundations report using donor advised funds (DAFs) in addition to their foundation giving. Of the 17% that opened one or more DAFs, most (75%) did so for a combination of reasons, including to: Comply with foundation payout requirements 42% Benefit from the sponsoring organization’s... Read More
Although most foundations choose to not compensate board members for routine board service—creating or revising foundation policies, overseeing foundation operations, attending board meetings, and more—one size does not fit all. For some small foundations, culture and assumptions, or specific strategies and rationales, lead the board to compensate its members. Our just-released 2023 Foundation Operations and... Read More
Private foundations cannot engage in the purchase, sale, lease, or exchange of property with a disqualified person—in this case, the founder’s family office—even at below-market rates. The family office may provide space to the foundation at no cost. In addition, private foundations cannot compensate a disqualified person, except for personal services as defined by the... Read More
The majority of foundations do not compensate board members for routine board and committee service, but one size does not fit all. Foundations with more assets are more likely to compensate board members, as are non-family foundations. Our publication Board Compensation can help your board carry out a thoughtful discussion about board compensation, craft a policy... Read More
Our eight Getting to Impact Discussion Guides are designed to help you facilitate discussions among your board members or local community of grantmakers with one purpose: to explore and strengthen a commitment to impact with your giving. We suggest you start with the first discussion guide, Why Every Foundation Can and Should Have Impact, which... Read More
Because the most effective missions and strategies are grounded in a foundation’s values and real needs, funders often “scan the landscape” to uncover funding gaps, reveal opportunities for leverage, or learn more about their chosen missions or focus areas. Here are approaches you might take to scan your communities or issue areas: Talk with people in diverse... Read More