Sample Grant Closing Letter
Sample Document
You can send this customizable sample closing letter to grantees upon the conclusion of their grant.
Sample Grant Close-Out Form
Sample Document
This sample grant close-out form can help you wrap up outstanding grants.
Charity Really Does Begin at Home: Nurturing Family Values
Fundamentals
Family celebrations and holidays are prime opportunities to create philanthropic traditions (and develop philanthropic values). To honor a child’s birthday you might plant a tree. For Mother’s Day, help your children do a good deed for someone else’s mother whose children can’t be with her. Family…
Sample Board Membership Two-Tiered Procedure
Sample Document
For incorporating the next generation onto family foundation boards.
Board Member Orientation Materials
Sample Document
This resource outlines the onboarding process for a new board member.
Providing Relief in Times of Disaster - Direct Corporate Giving
Legal Compliance Guidance
Grants to Public Charities from a Corporate Giving Program
Businesses can make disaster relief grants directly from the corporation, or from its corporate giving program, to any section 501(c)(3)public charity. An added plus is that such gifts are eligible as charitable deductions for the…
The Savvy CEO
Publication
The role of the foundation CEO is pivotal to the success of a foundation’s goals. Even at foundations without staff, the tasks of the CEO do not disappear, but rather are carried out by board members. In this publication, we explore some of the critical issues and challenges that foundation CEOs…
Principles of Accountability for International Philanthropy
Publication
While cross-border philanthropy has much in common with domestic giving within a country, it also differs in significant and challenging ways. Language differences, communication across vast distances, unfamiliar cultural values and perspectives, multiple legal systems, and disparate accounting…
International Corporate Giving
Legal Compliance Guidance, Fundamentals
This brief provides practical advice on setting strategy, ensuring on-the-ground presence, and selecting partners for U.S.-based companies with foundations and/or giving programs that are either venturing into the international giving arena or seeking to enhance their current programs. The last…
First 100 Days of the Chief Corporate Giving Officer Advice from the Field
Fundamentals
The First 100 Days is not intended to be a comprehensive job description or in-depth exposé on the giving officer’s career; rather, it will help you, as a novice in this role, prioritize your activities during the early stages of your transition.
First 100 Days of the Community Relations Manager: Advice from the Field
Fundamentals
During the summer of 2004, we interviewed several corporate community relations managers to gather advice for new staff in similar positions. Their comments are summarized here, and direct quotes appear in italics. While First 100 Days is not a detailed job description, it will provide novice…
Competencies for CEOs of Private Foundations
Publication
This document codifies the job functions of private foundation CEOs and the skills and knowledge needed to perform these functions, referred to as competencies.
Challenges in Succession Planning
Fundamentals
As family members come together in their collective role as trustees of the family foundation, they must grapple with many issues. Along with their grantmaking responsibilities, they set policies for governance and management and oversee the investment of the foundation’s assets. Unlike officers of…
What is the Best Size for Your Board?
Fundamentals
This article will help your board consider three main questions:
What are the advantages and limitations of large versus small boards?
What size will help us best accomplish our mission?
How do our colleagues approach this question?
Although board size varies significantly among different…
Articulating the Foundation's Mission
Fundamentals
A mission statement gives all who are interested an idea of why the foundation was established and how it defines its own work. The statement is usually broad, worded to reflect the donor’s intent, and give a flavor of the foundation’s values and interests. For family foundation trustees,…
An Introduction to Board Composition for Family Foundations
Fundamentals
Family foundations must grapple with many questions when determining who will serve on the board. For example, who is eligible for board service? The easy answer for many foundations is that all family members are eligible, but how do you define "family member"? This document highlights some…