Charitable IRA Portfolio
Toolkit
The Charitable IRA Portfolio is a collection of tools designed to help communicate the exciting giving opportunities available to donors.
Revised to reflect recent legislative changes, the portfolio includes:
Talking points, a fact sheet, and Web content
An event presentation
Tools that…
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…
Increasing Impact, Enhancing Value: A Practitioner's Guide to Leading Corporate Philanthropy
Publication
Leaders of corporate foundations and giving programs have an opportunity to redefine the role of corporate philanthropy. By taking the initiative to align and engage their efforts more closely with the business, these leaders can help unleash new resources and ideas to enhance the company’s…
Philanthropic Paths: An Exploratory Study of the Career Pathways of Professionals of Color in Philanthropy
External Resource
This study conducted by Forward Change provides a holistic, in-depth picture of the career experiences of 43 philanthropic professionals of color ranging from Program Officers to CEOs working in a diverse array of foundations. The study surfaced a set of potentially common points of entry, career…
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 and Mission Investing
External Resource
From Mission Investors Exchange, this is a three part blog series on corporate philanthropy and mission investing.
Corporate Philanthropy and Mission Investing
Corporate Foundations: Challenges in Adopting Mission Investing
Mission Investing: How the Financial Services Industry is Different
When to Say “No” to Fulfilling Personal Charitable Pledges
Legal Compliance Guidance
Your giving program looks like a convenient vehicle for fulfilling personal charitable pledges. Here’s what you need to know about when to say “no.”
The board of the ABC Family Foundation is considering a number of suggested grants, including a contribution to the local symphony’s capital drive…
10 Things Every New Foundation Board Member Should Know
Publication
The Council on Foundations, in collaboration with BoardSource, created this easy-to-use guide for new foundation board members.
A Compliance Checklist for Private Foundations
Legal Compliance Guidance
The persistent scrutiny of nonprofit governance has prompted leaders at many types of organizations to take steps to assure that their own houses are in good legal and financial order. This checklist is a good place for you as a private foundation to start.
Tips for Effective Grantee Relations
External Resource
This checklist for developing effective grantee relations was prepared by Jane Kendall, president of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits and a trustee of the Kathleen Price Bryan Family Fund.
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,…
A Quest for Equality: Breaking the Barriers for People with Disabilities
External Resource
From The Chicago Community Trust, this white paper challenges all of us with a set of thoughtful recommendations to realize our promise for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in our communities, our schools and our workplaces.
Thinking about an Audit? Read this First
Legal Compliance Guidance
Audits are everywhere these days. Consider:
In the wake of corporate accounting scandals, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was enacted in 2002, imposing corporate governance reforms on public, for-profit companies, including provisions on how financial audits are managed and carried out by auditors.…
Effective Collaborations: Recommendations for a Connected Philanthropic Infrastructure
Publication
The report explores the ways in which infrastructure organizations think about the value and the mechanics of collaboration—the drivers and barriers to collaborative work—and determine ways to encourage more effective partnerships. The publication features a framework for understanding…
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…
The California Wellness Foundation, Violence Prevention Initiative: Accomplishments, Challenges and Lessons Learned
This report highlights the accomplishments, challenges and lessons learned from TCWF's Violence Prevention Initiative (VPI or Initiative) during the period 1992-2003.