Private foundations, if operated correctly, can provide significant benefits to individuals, families, and companies. Private foundations also provide tax benefits to taxpayers and enable them to build a long-lasting tradition of charitable giving. This primer offers an overview of private foundations and can help you: Educate yourself about various charitable vehicles. Determine the type of... Read More
How do you know if your foundation’s Form 990-PF is true, correct, and complete? Can you simply assume an accountant will get it right? Unfortunately, the answer is no. In fact, regulators estimate that at least 25% of all 990-PFs have errors. Despite this statistic, there is hope. This primer highlights problem areas, offers tips,... Read More
It is becoming increasingly common for foundations to consider closing shop. While the reasons you’re contemplating this option may be straightforward, the process of closing can be complicated. The primer walks you through the strategy choices, tasks, and legal steps of closing shop so you can be confident that you know the main legal issue... Read More
Every foundation’s goal is to have a thoughtful, disciplined investment process that is aligned with the foundation’s purpose and goals. This guide provides a high-level overview to quickly help you understand different aspects of foundation investment. Within these pages, you’ll find out how to start off with an investment policy statement (IPS), why your foundation... Read More
Funders are being asked to show how they are addressing social inequities by specifying what they do and how they are doing it—as well as who they are. How does philanthropy begin to embed equity into grantmaking, policies, and culture? Healthy Communities Foundation has been on a journey to address this question by advancing health... Read More
To highlight the current state of lean funder evaluation, this report provides an overview of the evaluation methods funders use most often, what they find most useful, how those techniques play out in practice, and how funders use evaluation information to support their work. This report expands on data presented in Exponent Philanthropy’s 2020 Foundation... Read More