S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

A vision for California: The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation envisions a productive, vibrant, and sustainable California that is a model of success and a source of innovation.

A commitment to now: California faces many critical challenges, which require resources and imaginative solutions. In response to this reality, the Board of Directors decided to invest all the Foundation’s assets by 2020. This decision reflects a commitment to identifying lasting solutions for education and the environment sooner, rather than later. The Foundation also invests in building the capacity and resiliency of grantee organizations to leave them positioned to carry on the work of furthering a successful California for decades to come, and in the overall effectiveness of the philanthropic sector.

Learn more: sdbjrfoundation.org.

Contributions

Hiring an External Evaluator

Posted on February 26, 2019 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

Many organizations are reluctant to engage evaluation consultants. This guide can help demystify the process of hiring and partnering with an evaluator – so you can measure what matters… Read More

Writing a Request for Qualifications

Posted on February 26, 2019 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

In searching for the right consultant, it is often good practice to begin by issuing an Request for Qualifications… Read More

Frequently Asked Questions: Working with Consultants

Posted on February 26, 2019 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

Nonprofits and grantmakers engage consultants for a variety of needs. These responses to commonly asked questions can help you, and your consultant, get the most from each interaction… Read More

Hiring a Communications Consultant

Posted on January 29, 2019 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

Communication involves the purposeful delivery of information to create awareness, understanding, or action. It’s a big topic, with application to virtually everything an organization does, inside and out. This brief tutorial can help people working in foundations and nonprofits effectively prepare for and conduct engagements with communication consultants. This guide begins with the below summary of the types of organizational… Read More

Hiring a Strategic Planning Consultant

Posted on January 29, 2019 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

Looking across your organization and its work to find and describe the most effective path forward can be exhilarating. This guide can help you identify the strategy approach most suited to your needs, and the qualities to look for when engaging a strategy consultant. Engaging a strategy consultant is per se high stakes. Looking across your organization and its work… Read More

Steps for Success: Engaging a Consultant

Posted on January 29, 2019 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

This guide can help nonprofits and grantmakers take the necessary steps to find, hire, and manage a consultant who delivers what you need through a process that makes good use of your resources. It features nine steps that can help frame your approach and includes links to helpful tools and information sources… Read More

Strategic Lifespan and Limited Life Foundations

Posted on June 5, 2014 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation, National Center for Family Philanthropy

This NCFP Content Collection is aimed at new donors considering what strategic lifespan will best work for their foundation, as well as existing foundations that have already set a closing date, or any family or board contemplating the question. Read More