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Using Venture Philanthropy To Fill Gaps and Advance Medical Breakthroughs
My family and I are dedicated philanthropists. We work hard to maximize the impact of our philanthropic dollars across a wide range of social issues. My passion is children’s health. This area of medical research and care is often overlooked or underfunded, and yet the unmet needs are great. As a survivor of brain cancer... Read More
Key Insights From the 2022 Foundation Operations and Management Report
Exponent Philanthropy is proud to launch another edition of the Foundation Operations and Management Report. This year’s report continues to share important salary and administrative benchmarks. At the same time, it offers an overview on how our community of lean funders change and evolve. Thank you to the 400+ members who participated in the 2021... Read More
Filing Your IRS Form 990-PF with Confidence
Every year, IRS Form 990-PFs are filed with inaccuracies and mistakes that can be costly to a foundation’s wallet and reputation. Private foundations that don’t have the in-house technology to meet this requirement may seek assistance from tax advisors to avoid these errors. One such example is that starting with the 2020 tax year, Form... Read More
How a Diversity Focus Changed One Foundation’s Board
Over 20 years ago, the Anna B. Stearns Charitable Foundation launched its Girls’ Initiative to amplify support for women and girls. More recently, the foundation’s board, historically mostly women, expanded its equity and inclusion focus to include race and culture for both grantmaking and board composition. Leadership sees its own diversity as essential to driving... Read More
Dispelling Fear and Anxiety About Advocacy for Your Foundation Board
Advocacy is a long game, and it can be messy at times. But when combined with grantmaking, advocacy is a powerful tool to advance system change, strengthen relationships with your partners (grantees), and enhance learning and understanding around the issues your foundation supports. Helping your board understand the broader concept of advocacy will help shift... Read More
Let’s Be Candid About Board Succession Planning
Joe Wilson, founder of the Xerox Corporation, and his wife, Peggy, formed the Wilson Foundation in 1963. A few years ago, we engaged in strategic planning to revisit our giving priorities. At the time, our board had 24 members that spanned three generations, and were spread across the country. In order to achieve our impact... Read More