Trust-based philanthropy practices

Be Fearless: A framework for action

Posted on May 5, 2015 by Case Foundation

A step-by-step guide from the Case Foundation for leaders and organizations that want to be fearless and create transformative change. Inside, you'll find assessment tools, ideas and discussion prompts specially designed for social sector changemakers like you who want to make a greater impact… Read More

6 signs your funding initiative is in trouble

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Kris Putnam-Walkerly

I have helped dozens of foundations explore, develop and launch new grantmaking programs and initiatives. In my experience there are six red flags indicating trouble ahead. Investments made now will be easier and less costly than trying to resurrect a failing initiative later… Read More

Should I Give Anonymously or Publicly?

Posted on December 8, 2014 by The Bridgespan Group

Whether or not you “go public” with your philanthropy is a matter of strategy and personal style. Ask yourself, given the change you want to see in the world, what’s the right approach? This short issue brief from the GiveSmart website provides a list of considerations for determining how publicly you want to give… Read More

Advisory board member roles and responsibilities

Posted on December 8, 2014

The Sample Family Foundation’s Declaration of Trust designates two groups of participants: (1) “Trustees,” all of whom are currently family members and who vote on grants and issues of governance; and (2) “Advisors” who serve in an advisory capacity without voting power. Advisors are appointed to three-year terms that may be renewed until the Advisor reaches the age of seventy-five… Read More

The power of taking stock: 5 reasons to conduct evaluations

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Kris Putnam-Walkerly

Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, but I am not sure many foundations fully believe that. In the course of working with foundations across the country, I have made a somewhat surprising discovery: Many foundations grossly underestimate the importance of evaluating impact. This is unfortunate, because evaluation is both enlightening and empowering… Read More

Principles of best practice for grantees (Independent Sector)

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Independent Sector

There are many established standards or Principles of Best Practice relative to nonprofit organizations’ accountability, ethical practices, governance, finance, programming and public disclosure.  On the Independent Sector’s website, you will find a comprehensive compilation of standards of best practices developed for nonprofits, the Compendium of Standards, Codes, and Principles of Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations.  After a review of many of… Read More

Peer Skill Share program (Pierce Family Foundation)

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Pierce Family Foundation

The Peer Skill Share program is designed to invest in the professional skills of nonprofit employees, building their individual capacity and by extension, the capacity of their organizations. The Pierce Family Foundation arranges for nonprofit employees to help each other via “skill share” sessions, where grantees can get one-on-one advice from peers on specific needs they identify. Since there is… Read More

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