Our publications help lean foundations and funders make the most of the minutes they have and the dollars they give.

 

Advocacy Field Guide

Make Big Change With Little Money
Funders with few or no staff are perfectly positioned to fund and engage in advocacy. This field guide is a set of seven practical, field-tested steps for funding and engaging in advocacy, a great starting point for lean funders.

 

Foundation Operations & Management Report

The Premier Benchmarking Resource for Lean Foundations
Contains mission-critical statistics about member foundations’ boards & governance, investments, administration (including salary and benefits), and grantmaking.

 

How Lean Funders Build Stronger Relationships with Grantees

Essential Relationship Building Skills for Funders 
Building strong relationships with grantees doesn’t happen overnight. Our research shows that lean funders are perfectly positioned to develop these strong relationships and provide more significant support to their nonprofit partners. 

Racial Equity in Lean Foundations

Closing the Gap Between Intention and Impact
Collected through FOMR data, surveys, and interviews with members, this report centers on the relevance of racial equity to our members’ mission, as well as their board and staff demographics.

 

The Foundation Guidebook

For Those New to Philanthropy
Provides the baseline knowledge you need for running a foundation and getting to the important work of making a difference. This guidebook focuses on practical ways to build a foundation thoughtfully and carefully.

 

The Trustee Handbook

Essentials for Effective Foundation Board Members
Designed specifically for trustees of foundations with few or no staff. This comprehensive resource features detailed guidance on important topics for every board member and trustee.