The past 10 years have been exciting ones for the Hill-Snowdon Foundation and the Snowdon family. For 40 years prior, we acted as a typical family foundation, coming together once a year to nominally approve grants recommended by family members. We funded some wonderful organizations reflecting the varied interests of the family, but you would... Read More
By communicating openly, you can build good relationships with potential partners from the start—and quickly help others move on to other funders. “It’s important to remember that our success as grantmakers depends on our grantees’ success,” says Exponent Philanthropy member Christine Elbel of The Fleishhacker Foundation. “If we can improve our processes, we’re contributing to... Read More
Partner with Exponent Philanthropy to learn how your grantees and applicants feel about your relationship and grant process. This custom, confidential online survey helps lean foundation boards and staff understand their strengths and weaknesses, initiate dialogue, and agree on a plan of action. Survey themes include: Understanding your goals and strategies Application, due diligence, reporting, and... Read More
We all want to make an impact, or in simpler terms, make a real difference. This desire often leads foundations to ask themselves: “Could we make a bigger difference?” But with limited time, it can be challenging to figure out how to get there. This simple tool offers your organization a framework that you can... Read More
Private foundation trustees and staff oversee countless activities, from setting direction and selecting grantees to reviewing policies and investing assets. Several foundation tasks—some mandatory, some voluntary—call for additional care. All are worth your careful consideration to help you be financially savvy and legally compliant, and to help you take full advantage of your foundation’s flexibility.... Read More
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... Read More