Getting Started

Driven by a desire to address urgent needs and create lasting change in a shorter time frame, the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation decided in 2022 to spend down its assets by 2034. Join Board Chair John Erb and President Melissa Damaschke to hear what they have learned from the first three years into their 12-year sunset process. Learn… Read More

Reductions in federal funding and social services have created immense challenges for the nonprofit sector. How are limited life foundations, and those considering spending down, responding? Have foundations reconsidered their grantmaking strategies or adjusted other core practices? For those already on the path to spend down, has the current situation affected their spend down timeline or process? Learn from the… Read More

The Clark Foundation is nearing the conclusion of its decade-long sunset strategy. The foundation, founded in 1987, began its 10-year $1.3B spenddown in 2016, partnering with organizations to educate future engineering leaders, support veterans and their families, and expand opportunities for the Washington, DC community. Currently in its final year, the foundation remains focused on ensuring that their partners have… Read More

Why did the Mighty Arrow Family Foundation decide to spend down its assets by 2040? What are the values underlining that decision? What do they hope their impact will be? Join us for a conversation with Kim Jordan, founder, and Jordana Barrack, executive director, who will share insights about the decision to sunset the foundation and lessons from the process. Hear about… Read More