Fundamentals
Advice from the Field: Responding to Mass Casualty Events
Fundamentals
It is an unfortunate reality of our times that foundations must respond all too often to mass casualty events in their communities. There are immediate questions that need to be addressed and an ongoing crisis to manage if your foundation is going to raise and deploy philanthropic capital in…
Opportunity Zones - A Value to Your Community?
Fundamentals
What are Opportunity Zones?
Created by changes to the tax code in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December 2017, Opporunity Zones are state-nominated, economically depressed communities that are in need of new investment. These investments could, under certain circumstances, be eligable for…
Linking the SDGs to Philanthropy
Fundamentals
Why do the Sustainable Development Goals matter to philanthropy?
These broad global goals address the same problems that our field is tackling: to reduce poverty, improve livelihoods and quality of life, and create a more equitable global society. Looking at the range of issues in the SDGs, all…
Corporate Philanthropy and the SDGs
Fundamentals
Throughout the lead up to adoption of the goals, many organizations have been working with private sector partners to establish frameworks for engagement by corporate philanthropy with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A leading coalition in this effort is Impact2030, a global private…
How to Find Your Members of Congress
Fundamentals
Find your Representative(s)
Members of Congress are interested to learn about the work that you are doing in their communities. When identifying your representative(s), it is helpful to think—not only about the district in which your home office is located—but also the areas in which you fund. It…
Effective and Emerging Approaches to Mission-Related Investing
Fundamentals
Many foundation staff members remain mystified (and enamored) with mission investing and the promise it holds for leveraging foundation resources to support their missions. However, it is clear that many foundations do not fully understand the full complement of mission investing strategies and how…
Diverse Managers: Philanthropy's Next Hurdle
Fundamentals
This white paper outlines best practices with proven results that foundations can use to find and create a diverse and inclusive staff and investment advisory team. Readers will learn how to make the business case for more diverse and equitable strategies and link success in this area with…
Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey FAQs
Fundamentals
What are the benefits of participation?
Can I participate?
How do I participate?
What information will I need to complete the survey?
What positions do you collect data for in the survey?
Where does my state fall within the geographic breakdowns in the report?
How much does the report cost…
Successful Operating Endowment Campaigns
Fundamentals
Operating endowments can provide stability and long-term sustainability for community foundations. They can also provide resources that enable foundation leaders to play a stronger leadership role in the community and direct resources to the most pressing issues. Developing and executing an…
Getting Started with the Sustainable Development Goals
Fundamentals
On September 25, 2015, 193 countries formally adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the United Nations. The Council’s president at that time, Vikki Spruill, published an op-ed in the Chronicle of Philanthropy urging philanthropic organizations to partner with others to help achieve…
Administrative Fees
Fundamentals
Community foundations have one thing in common: When it comes to administrative fee structures, no two are alike. While there's no one right answer, it's important to review and compare your foundation’s fee structure to other foundations of comparable size. Many community foundations are doing…
Foundation Basics
Fundamentals
What is a charitable organization?
What is a foundation?
What is a private foundation?
What is a public charity?
Do charities pay taxes?
What are some key differences between a public charity and a private foundation?
What are some different kinds of private foundations?
What are the…
Outreach and Engagement Opportunities
Fundamentals
Proposals being considered in Congress often have implications for philanthropy and its effectiveness in addressing some of our most pressing challenges. In addition to educating lawmakers in Washington, D.C., communicating the impact locally is just as important. Here are some ways your…
Corporate Philanthropy Glossary of Terms
Fundamentals
Catalytic Transformative Investments – A form of philanthropy that incubates and supports initiatives with the potential to drive large-scale change and meet complex social challenges. Such investments become catalysts for social and business innovation and change. It is one of three approaches in…
Glossary of Philanthropic Terms
Fundamentals
Search by Letter
A B C D E F G I J L M O P Q R S T U
Certain definitions are defined by law.
A
501(c)(3):
Section of the Internal Revenue Code that designates an organization as charitable and tax-exempt. Organizations qualifying under this section include religious, educational, charitable,…
Checklist for a Successful Meeting with Your Members of Congress
Fundamentals
How to Make the Most of your meeting
Consider the following to ensure a productive meeting that runs smoothly.
Determine Your Message
Before your meeting, you will need to decide what your message will be. This is going to depend largely on the purpose and goal of your meeting, and can range…