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Elizabeth Wong

Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services
Foundation Source

With three decades of experience in organizational performance and philanthropy, Elizabeth Wong is a highly sought-after expert in the philanthropic sector. As a gifted leader, relationship manager, executive coach and philanthropic consultant, Elizabeth has advised Ultra High Net Worth (UHNW) clients and large corporations in several key areas, including high-impact philanthropy, family foundation governance, succession planning, and leadership/program development. She specializes in strategic planning, leadership transitions, organizational development for corporations, nonprofits and foundations, and business development and client retention.

In her current role, Elizabeth serves as the Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services at Foundation Source, the nation’s largest provider of comprehensive support services for private foundations. She leads an experienced team of philanthropic directors in expertly helping clients carry out their philanthropic missions and activities. She is also responsible for setting strategy for the company’s philanthropic advisory services and leads custom pricing and revenue generation opportunities for the team. She has an undergraduate degree from Columbia College and a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Passionate about philanthropy and the power of the social sector, Elizabeth serves on the boards of the Gates Foundation Alumni Network, Digital Green (a global development organization partnering with smallholder farmers), and the Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC). She grew up in San Francisco, CA, and lives with her family in Seattle, WA.

Miriam Billinger

Operations Director
Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation

Miriam’s experience and professional passion live in the operational world of mission-driven organizations. Miriam has worked with nonprofits and foundations for over twenty years and is a leader in finance, grant management, organizational culture and team development.

Miriam has worked with nonprofits and foundations for over twenty years as a leader in finance, grant management, organization culture and team development. Miriam lights up when she talks about the intersection of mission and money in nonprofits. She has served as consultant and mentor to organizations with budgets ranging from $30K to $300M and whose areas of focus span conservation, environmental education and sustainable agriculture. Miriam’s work is rooted in strengthening operating systems that enable nonprofits and foundations to be efficient, effective, resilient and impactful.

Previous roles include serving as program finance officer for the Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation, assistant finance director at Humboldt State University’s Sponsored Programs Foundation and consultant to nonprofits and land trusts across Northern California. Miriam studied business economics and financial accounting, and she is trained in facilitative leadership, project management and meeting facilitation.

Miriam is currently serving as a board member for Multiplier, a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and impact accelerator. Miriam lives in the redwoods and can be found quilting, camping and volunteering in the public schools. She is the proud mother of two awesome children who inspire her to work for a brighter future and a healthier planet.

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Similarly, foundations can shine the spotlight on inspiring and effective work of their grantee partners; in doing so, they can draw more attention to solutions that are being employed to address community problems.

So how can foundation’s use their voice to move the needle in their community and on priority topics? They can develop communications strategies and deem them an essential part of their strategic toolbox.

A thoughtful communications plan can help a foundation:

• reinforce its values
• further its mission
• increase efficiency
• enhance grantee relationships
• amplify grantees’ good works
• increase support from other funders and decisionmakers

Our Philanthropic Advisory Services team works closely with our clients on how to deploy effective communications. When developing a communications plan, here are some best practices to keep in mind.

Define Communication Goals
Before diving into specific tactics, a foundation should step back and define what they want to achieve through communication. These goals should align with the foundation’s overall mission and objectives but focus specifically on how communication can support and amplify their work.

For instance, is the focus on looking to raise awareness about a particular issue a foundation addresses, such as education or environmental sustainability? Does the foundation want to build a network of like-minded organizations and funders to collaborate on large-scale initiatives? Do they need to clarify their funding application process to grantees? Or perhaps the aim is to establish itself as a thought leader in a specific sector, providing valuable insights and guidance to others in the field.

By clearly defining its communication goals, a foundation can ensure that all efforts are aligned and purpose driven.

Articulate Priorities
Consider the time it takes to review funding requests. The process can become laborious if a foundation receives an abundance that don’t align with its charitable mission. The more clearly they articulate their priorities – what they will and won’t fund – the better that grant-seeking nonprofits will be able to determine if the foundation is the right fit for the type of work they do. Ultimately, the foundation will receive more targeted and appropriate requests and increase efficiency.

Share Expertise
A private foundation can be a catalyst for change, not only by financially supporting its chosen causes but also by shaping the conversation around related issues. One of the most effective ways for a foundation to use its voice is by sharing their sector expertise. For example, if a foundation has deep knowledge in tackling climate change, they may consider publishing opinion pieces, problem statements or research findings that highlight the challenges and potential solutions in this area. In doing so, they’ll position their foundation as a thought leader in the field and, if they target these communications to an audience of other funders and decisionmakers, they might also gain additional support for their cause. To reach a wider audience, they could feature the resources on their foundation’s website and share them through a newsletter or social media platforms.

Showcase Grantees
A foundation’s voice can also help bring attention to the important work that their grantee partners are doing in the communities they care about. This is one of the most powerful ways to maximize charitable impact. By showcasing grantees’ successes and challenges, not only does a foundation validate and celebrate them, but they also may inspire other funders to take notice and support them as well.

Consider highlighting grantees’ work through case studies, success stories or interviews that are featured on a foundation’s website and newsletter. Spotlight them through social media and press releases to reach an even larger audience. Be sure that the foundation’s content explains why the work is essential and how it’s making a difference. In doing so, the foundation will help build a broader understanding and support for the good work it’s funding.

Engage With Other Funders
Collaboration is key in philanthropy, and strategic communication can be instrumental in fostering productive relationships with other funders. Regularly updating other funders on the foundation’s work, either through direct outreach or perhaps networking events, can possibly lead to new partnerships. Sharing insights and lessons learned can also help build a sense of community among funders, leading to more coordinated efforts and amplified impact. When other funders see the results a foundation is achieving, they may be more inclined to join forces, providing additional resources for the causes they champion.

Use Communication Tools
To successfully convey a foundation’s work and goals, try some or all of these tactics:

Website. A foundation’s website is likely the first place people go to learn about their work. Make sure it’s up-to-date, easy to navigate and rich with content that showcases the foundation’s impact and expertise. Consider adding a blog and news section to regularly share updates and insights. Not sure where or how to get started? Foundations can take advantage of customized, cost-effective website services that are built and hosted for them.

Newsletter. A well-crafted newsletter is a useful “push communication” tool for keeping their target audiences informed and engaged. Regular updates on the foundation’s work, grantee achievements and sector insights can help maintain interest and build a loyal following.

Social Media. Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads offer powerful ways to reach a broad audience quickly. Use one or all of these channels to share news, highlight grantee work and follow and engage with other thought leaders in the foundation’s field. Social media is also a great way to drive traffic to a foundation’s website, grantees’ websites and other resources.

Press Releases, Op-Eds and Pitches. Rally applicable news media to publicize the foundation’s initiatives. Send them press releases, op-eds and compelling pitches to pique their interest and secure coverage.

By defining clear communication goals, a foundation can serve as an influential voice for their grantee partners and maximize the foundation’s impact. Whether it’s sharing expertise, promoting grantees’ work, or engaging with other funders, thoughtful communication can help a foundation achieve its mission, effect meaningful change and advance philanthropy.

Elizabeth Wong is Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services for Foundation Source.

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The post Using a Foundation’s Voice: Advancing Philanthropy Through Communications Strategies appeared first on Foundation Source.

Give What You Can and Consider Other Ways to Offer Support
The stories about big bet contributions can intimidate “mere mortal” funders, but don’t let them. Not all philanthropists can make seven-digit donations, but don’t worry. You’ve got other ways to help. Be sure to explore them. In his insightful op-ed, Big Bet Bummer, Kevin Starr, CEO of Mulago Foundation, humorously refers to his organization as a “medium” bet giver. Choose what level of funding makes sense for you, and then consider other forms of support you can provide.

Develop Partnerships With Nonprofits You Support
Meaningful support beyond the dollars is rooted in authentic partnership. Consider collaborating with your chosen nonprofits to assess their needs in these areas:

• Skill-based expertise. Do they need help with a business plan? Growth plan? Outreach?
• Network building/introductions. As funders frequently ask nonprofits to diversify their funding sources, can you help your grantees expand their network of support through introductions, testimonials and references? For example, in 2023, our client of 17 years, The Kendeda Fund, concluded 30 years of more than one billion dollars in grantmaking. They notified their nearly 40 grantee partners about their plans to sunset well in advance. They also provided concrete support for weathering the change by creating a program to help the grantees establish operating reserves or essentially “rainy-day” funds. This gave both the grantees and The Fund greater confidence about the grantees’ financial stability after Kendeda was no longer in the picture.
• Strategic planning. What pace of growth is sustainable for your grantees? How far should they extend beyond what they currently do and what they’re capable of doing well today?
• Near-term financials. How are they funding their current projects? Can they implement the work with the funding they have? Do they need more? What can you do to help?
• Long-term financials. Are they poised to increase capacity and grow so they can scale and accomplish more? If so, would multi-year funding (instead of a one-time contribution) be most useful in the face of planned growth?
• Communications. Let’s say a nonprofit is poised for growth and has reserved some of its current funding to expand its work. Can you help it converse with funders who are accustomed to supporting only organizations that are “on the brink” (about to run out of operating money)? Can you help to convince these funders that in order for nonprofits to plan beyond one fiscal year at a time, they need reserves as well as ongoing support?

Be the Best Partner Possible
How can you be an optimal partner to a nonprofit? Consider these tips:

1. Start With Respect and Build Trust
Begin with the assumption that nonprofit leaders are knowledgeable and experts on what their organizations and communities need. This is a strong way to get a partnership off on the right foot. From there, you can enter into dialogue, listen, learn, and build trust.

2. Be Transparent
When contributing to an organization, whether your support is large or small, be transparent and communicate your intentions clearly. Is your contribution a one-time opportunity, or would you consider future requests? Are you open to a multi-year conversation instead of a one-time donation? Providing specifics helps an organization plan and operate more strategically.

3. Open Your Rolodex (what is that?)
Some of you know what we mean. For others, think Contacts. No single funder can do it alone. In this context, spread the word about the good work your nonprofit partners are doing. And, when it makes sense, consider introducing them to other potential funders. Helping nonprofits expand their networks is one of the most valuable things you can do to assist them with building a sustainable future for themselves.

Consider again The Kendeda Fund during their sunsetting process:

“In many cases, we started becoming advocates for [our grantee] partners with other funders. Knowing that our dollars were going to go away, we wanted to make sure we could use the bully pulpit of being a funder to help show and highlight the great work that all these partners were doing with other funders.”

With or without the ability to make seven-digit contributions, all philanthropists can deepen their connections with the organizations and communities they support. Doing so may be the best big bet you can make.

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Elizabeth Wong is Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services for Foundation Source.

The post Big Bets Beyond the $$$: How Philanthropists Can Offer Meaningful Support to Their Nonprofit Partners appeared first on Foundation Source.

Why Give Now?

Traditional estate planning might call for bequeathing a substantial portion of your resources to philanthropic purposes upon death. Plenty of financial planning arguments can be made to support this approach (maximize wealth first, give later…) but what these plans overlook is the experience of giving now and the role that a philanthropist can play in shaping the impact of their own philanthropy.

Leaders make critical choices about how to run their businesses, parent children and engage friends, family and community…and they have the opportunity to see the effect of these decisions in real time. When it comes to deploying a substantial proportion of one’s wealth for charitable purposes, why would you leave it to an uncertain future when you have the chance to influence the impact of your support during your lifetime? Giving while living introduces the fulfillment of philanthropy, the opportunity to shape one’s giving and the ability to understand what can be accomplished with intentional decisions. It also provides the chance to share that philanthropic vision with others, whether peers in the funding community who can also offer support, family members, or those who may lead this philanthropic work in the future. And, finally, an often-overlooked benefit of giving now is witnessing the excellent work of nonprofit leaders, the people who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of others, who work diligently to identify lasting solutions, and who ultimately deploy philanthropic resources for community benefit.

There are many creative options for how to give, and private foundations offer the most flexibility and creativity for giving. For example, in additional to making grants, you can award scholarships and prizes, engage in impact investing by issuing program-related loans and making mission-related investments, or conduct direct charitable activities like starting a shelter for victims of domestic violence or running a tutoring program for children in need. Learn more ways that you can give with a private foundation.

Why Give More?

In the face of urgent and growing social needs across the globe, why would individuals and institutions with means choose the slow lane for the difference they can make in improving the lives of others? Intractable problems often require bold innovations and solutions, and the latter depend on aggressive support rather than incremental funding that lags behind need.

It is easy to view the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and its funding counterparts as otherworldly: we don’t have the resources they do, we can’t do that kind of thing, etc. Perhaps…but this may be missing the point. The inspiration any funder can take from BMGF and others is the ambition to effect change in a way that aligns with your values, your foundation’s priorities or the needs of your neighborhood. It is not about giving as much as them, but giving as much as you can and daring to challenge old problems with new solutions.

The goal here is to aim high, bend those spreadsheets to your will and extend giving as much as possible. In this case, inspiration comes from an entirely different end of the financial spectrum. In the face of worsening global poverty, individual remittances are on the rise. People with arguably few financial resources (certainly when compared to philanthropists or funding entities) are finding it within their power to send money home to their families: to give and to give now.

Look also to your own funding peers. Over the course of more than 10 years, Foundation Source has found that its foundation clients persistently give more than the minimum that is required by the IRS. In 2021, for example, smaller foundations gave 19.2% of assets in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Can Our Support Achieve?

Also in his 2024 letter, Suzman emphasizes that a greater proportion of high-net-worth giving goes to elite universities and cultural institutions than to addressing urgent societal needs. He commends philanthropists who either do both equally (adopting what he calls “yes, and” philanthropy) or who prioritize current and pressing needs over all else.

Rather than considering this an either/or decision, identify urgent needs in your priority program areas and geographies and incorporate support for these issues into your giving plan alongside support of existing cultural or educational institutions. Identify the funding gaps that Suzman discusses in the context of your own giving. Discover where your resources can have the greatest impact.

The choice to give now and to give more means that your support can help address urgent needs, accelerate solutions and prevent the worsening of systemic community problems. Where you choose to deploy your dollars is entirely your own decision; there is, however, no question that maximizing your support of urgent needs will help to mitigate and, ultimately, eliminate intractable social challenges.

Next door and across the globe, societal hardship is abundant. No matter the size and scale of your giving, you can make a difference by taking bold steps to maximize and accelerate your charitable donations. Aim high and hit the fast lane.

Elizabeth Wong is Head of Philanthropic Advisory Services for Foundation Source.

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The post Give Now and Give More to Meet Urgent Needs: An Inspiring Call from the Gates Foundation appeared first on Foundation Source.

Robyn Hullihan: New philanthropists mean new ideas. The next generation is putting its mark on how foundations operate. Incoming philanthropists are looking inward and contemplating what role they might play in the sector. They’re committed to learning about the issues they want to support. They’re considering themselves as actors in that space, whether that means conducting more site visits, applying their own professional expertise or volunteering. Part of this reflection includes looking closely at new solutions to existing problems.

Going forward, there may be less support for organizations that focus narrowly on cultural preservation, such as traditional museums or performing arts organizations. But there might be a greater examination of how to help communities emerge from poverty, for instance.

Elizabeth Wong: As the nonprofit ecosystem is changing, foundations are finding a different place for themselves. Foundation boards are taking a closer look at the impact of their practices on their nonprofit partners. They’re asking: “What application information is necessary versus nice to have?” Perhaps it’s a nuanced distinction, but it can make an important difference in the time and effort required of a nonprofit when they’re seeking funding.

Similar questions are being asked about post-grant reporting and evaluation. When a foundation requests updates about the use of grant funds, is there a purpose beyond holding the grantee accountable? Foundations are working to integrate themselves into the ecosystem by aligning their objectives with those of their implementing partners.

We’re seeing foundation decision-makers exploring risk and their own willingness to make bets on new and possibly unproven interventions to support innovation. We worked with a relatively small foundation that was new to the sector they were working in. They determined that their strategy would be to go where other funders did not. They conducted deep research in their area of interest and discovered that some discrete activities could have an outsized impact. They could draw attention to the challenges faced by a particular community, and they were able to provide data that would be compelling to policymakers. What’s more, they could deploy their own expertise and communication to amplify the message.

We have one foundation client where the funder took a good look at their practices and recognized that they wanted to make applying for grants less of a burden on nonprofits. So they revamped their application process. Now it starts with a phone call where a board member collects information and populates the application themselves. The board member obtains much of the information in advance from public sources. That allows more time during the call to learn about the nonprofit strategy
and needs.

Hullihan: I’d also like to point out that foundations are seeking ways to get family members involved. Initially, this can mean talking about the work of the foundation and seeking input from the kids around the dinner table. Are there issues or causes they’d like to support and why? For young adults, involvement can be greater. For example, it might be to create non-voting seats on board subcommittees where family members can fully participate in the grant selection deliberations, helping to vet applications and discussing program strategy.

One foundation we work with devised a way to expand family members’ roles. In addition to creating board seats for the second generation, they set aside a portion of the foundation’s assets in a separate account and had the second generation make all the investment decisions for those assets.

Wong: Another example of new philanthropists and new ideas that we’ve witnessed recently is a foundation that is transitioning from decades under its initial leadership. For many years, the foundation has focused mostly on its role as a grantmaker distributing funds. The new generation on this board is looking at ways to bring in more expertise from the field and from community members themselves. They’re thinking about convening symposia, for example, and bringing in voices where the board of the foundation can hear firsthand what some of the nonprofit leaders’ challenges are, what solutions they’re exploring, and how the foundation itself can help, not just with dollars. The convening itself is potentially very powerful and not something the previous generation had ever considered.

The next trend is the changing foundation/grantee relationship. How have giving approaches evolved to embrace partnership?

Wong: Today’s nonprofit ecosystem is re-imagining the funder/grantee relationship. Historically, funders held a lot of power and nonprofits often felt compelled to shape their work to what was fundable. In other words, what the funder wanted.

Increasingly, the dynamic is shifting to one of partnership. The funder is asking more questions about what is important, what needs to be funded and how their dollars can help most. While foundation boards still retain fiduciary responsibility, they’re also acknowledging the expertise of nonprofit leaders.

Hullihan: I would also like to highlight partnerships among funders. Funders recognize that they can learn from other grantmakers. We see more and more foundations investing in their own education and looking to leverage the support they offer to communities alongside other funders. Informal and formal efforts to collaborate with others allow each funder to focus on their own priorities while also achieving greater impact together.

Finally, we’re also seeing a reconsideration of what foundations want to achieve and aligning their grantmaking practices to those objectives. For example, a foundation that has traditionally given to grassroots organizations recognized recently that they wanted to see greater scale. But the truth was their grantmaking was structured around deficit funding. They were used to supporting organizations that were living quarter to quarter, where the foundation’s dollars helped to keep the lights on.

This way of thinking was at odds with the growth and scale they wanted to see. If they wanted their nonprofit partners to be more strategic, increase capacity and affect more people, the financial planning changed entirely. Instead of how to survive, the conversation with nonprofits became about planning, growth and expansion. How could they attract and retain long-term and qualified staff? How could they invest in infrastructure so they could double and triple their programming? It was an entirely different consideration for both the funder and the grantees.

Finally, how are foundations leveraging tools and technology to drive efficiencies and create more impactful giving?

Wong: The right technology and tools make giving easier and make it possible to involve more family members and streamline grantmaking. One of those is something that Foundation Source offers: grant certificates. That is a digital gift card that enables the recipient to designate a nonprofit for funding. In the case of Foundation Source grant certificates, foundation leaders still retain the right to approve those recommendations, but it’s a terrific way to get children, family members and non-family members involved in giving.

Another tool that aids in the communication process between funder and grantee is a robust grant agreement. That way everyone is clear about what the intent of the grant is and what will happen, and what the funds will and won’t be used for.

Other tools that foundations are utilizing might include a set of questions that are asked to all applicants to ensure that decision-makers receive what they need for collecting information about potential grantees, particularly when you have a large volunteer board and different board members are talking to different nonprofit organizations. An established set of questions can really streamline the process of collecting information while also ensuring that the right information is being collected.

Hullihan: You can think of technology as an efficiency. Foundation management platforms like Impactfully from Foundation Source can make all the difference in how a volunteer board spends its time. Our proprietary technology is designed to help address all the day-to-day information needs of a foundation, allowing board members to focus on policy decisions, strategy development, grantmaking, and engaging members in building a legacy of giving.

In addition to technology solutions, our experts provide legal, accounting and philanthropic guidance towards greater efficiencies in these areas as well.

Now let’s turn to other trends we’re seeing. How has the increase of disasters in the world changed philanthropy?

Hullihan: More foundations are creating a separate bucket for disaster philanthropy because things are happening more often. They don’t want to have to wait until the next meeting. They want to have something available to devote toward disaster philanthropy.

I’m also seeing foundations being more strategic about disaster relief, rather than simply being reactive. When a disaster occurs, foundations are asking themselves, “Do we want to respond now or later in the recovery cycle when everyone’s moved onto the next news item but support is still needed? Or even focus on the long term where it might take years for a community to recover but they’ve been forgotten or overshadowed by more recent emergencies.”

Wong: The increasing number of disasters and crises is pushing boards to leave more dollars unspent throughout the year so they are ready to respond when a crisis happens.

How have younger leaders used their communication capabilities to help foundations?

Wong: Digital natives see the potential for a foundation to help amplify the work, messaging and priorities of their grantee partners. We work with a foundation that issues a press release when they make their grant approvals. They also feature one grantee per month via their multiple platforms of communications. By doing that, they’re extending the story to their broad network.

How do you navigate challenging family dynamics?

Wong: Sometimes when families are running foundations together, they bring their complex relationships with them. It can make a big difference to have a trusted outside partner in the form of a facilitator who knows the issues and is able to get to know the people and the dynamics. That can really help a group move toward an objective with less emotion and friction.

How do you engage the next generation when there are so many demands on their time?

Hullihan: We say, “Let’s try and meet the individual where they are.” It might not make sense to hold a junior board meeting, for example, if half the junior board is not able to attend. It might be better to start with a lunch-and-learn with an expert in the field or just speak with them about what areas of interest they might have and where there might be opportunities to work together down the road. That might be volunteering with an organization or it might be just experimenting with a small grant and learning about how that works.

Wong: The only constant is change, so while you might want the next generation to be involved, they might bring with them different ideas about how to do things. Then the question becomes, is there an openness to that among the current leadership?

How should foundations respond to all the shifts happening in the world, not just disaster related?

Hullihan: More foundations are interested in helping nonprofits work together so there is no overlap in services. Foundations are also collaborating with the other donors of their grantees so they can extend their reach, get the word out and find solutions together.

Writing op-eds that promote the work of grantees can be an effective way of raising awareness. Some of the most successful foundation websites are those that highlight the work of grantees, which draws other donors to understand what that work is and leverage additional support.

What are the emerging trends around staffing roles in philanthropy?

Hullihan: A lot of the hiring that foundations are doing is because they want to go deeper, they want to be involved. They might even want to be a leader as a funder around a topic. To do that, they are going to need staff that can do the research and make recommendations. And, as we discussed earlier, the trend toward streamlining the application process for potential grantees by completing a lot of the information for them, might mean more staff time is needed to take on this type of work.

Wong: There is also an increase in communications capabilities at foundations themselves. Foundations are finding their own voice and using their own platform to amplify the work of their partners, but they need people to help do this internally. This might mean hiring a marketer, copywriter or a social media coordinator.

This is a condensed and edited version of the conversation. You can watch the full video of Elizabeth and Robyn’s discussion here.

The post 3 Trends in Philanthropy: Thriving Through Transition, Technology and Teamwork – Q&A appeared first on Foundation Source.

Families are engaging the next generation of philanthropists, recognizing the need to bring in younger members. This generation is providing a fresh perspective and implementing new practices to philanthropy that differ from the past. These new leaders are diving in — going on site visits and volunteering with the organizations they support. They are also bringing their technical expertise to philanthropy by leaning into technology tools for increased efficiency.

The new generation has different priorities. They’re shifting their focus away from cultural preservation and toward social change. In the future, there might be less funding for cultural institutions such as museums or performing arts organizations and more for organizations working on poverty, for example.

They are also redefining the role of the foundation within the nonprofit ecosystem by scrutinizing the impact of foundation practices on nonprofit partners.

2. The Emergence of Philanthropic Partnerships

The funder/grantee relationship is undergoing a transformation. Historically, funders held the power and nonprofits shaped their work around the priorities of their funders. Today, the dynamic is shifting toward collaboration.

Funders are balancing their need for fiduciary responsibility with the desire to relieve their nonprofit partners of the administrative burdens so they can devote more of their time and energy to social change. In particular, grantmaking practices are changing as funders try to simplify the process. Some foundations, for example, fill out the initial grant request forms for their applicants from publicly available information and then enlist board members to gather more granular details through calls with the nonprofits. This takes time-consuming administrative tasks off the nonprofits, enabling them to focus on programmatic work.

In addition, partnerships among funders are emerging too. Foundations with similar interests are coming together to educate board members and staff and collaborate in ways that better support their nonprofits.

3. Efficient Technology and Tools Enable More Impactful Giving

Foundations are stretched thin and are looking for ways to improve efficiencies and engagement. Technology helps them achieve that. For instance, digital grant agreements and templates can streamline and accelerate the giving process without the need to create these documents from scratch every time. Grant certificates, similar to eGift cards, are a way to engage the next generation in giving. They can be given to children or grandchildren in specific denominations so they can make their own philanthropic gifts, and gain the experience of doing research and due diligence on the organizations they want to support.

In addition, foundations are seeing the benefits of integrated technology solutions like Impactfully, a cloud- based foundation management platform that improves transparency and facilitates collaboration across the various functions in a foundation and the various investment, tax, legal and philanthropic professionals that support it. Furthermore, advisory services like those from Foundation Source give foundations access to grantmaking experts and research that can help them make giving more impactful.

4. Additional Philanthropy Trends

Alongside the three big trends, the discussion touched on other ways that philanthropy is changing, such as:

• Disasters and crises: Ongoing cycles of natural disasters, military actions and other humanitarian emergencies mean funders are looking to be more strategic in their giving and less reactive. Some are creating a discrete bucket, so they have funds available following a crisis. Others are keeping some annual funds unspent for the same reason. Some foundations are taking an even more strategic role, by getting involved months after a disaster or crisis when media attention wanes, but communities still need help.
• Modern communication: As digital natives, the next generation is bringing their communication skills to their philanthropic work and helping to increase their foundation’s impact. They are using social media platforms to amplify the work of their nonprofit partners and even make policy recommendations.
• Emerging staff roles: As foundations seek to be more collaborative with their nonprofit partners, it requires additional staff to carry it out. Foundations are hiring more, with an eye toward staff who can support deeper engagement with communities, have stellar communication skills, and can conduct research.

To learn more about these trends and additional insights, listen to a replay of the webinar.

The post 3 Trends in Philanthropy: Thriving Through Transition, Technology and Teamwork – Key Takeaways appeared first on Foundation Source.

We discuss big ideas, challenge standard viewpoints, engage in different opinions and hope to spark meaningful conversations. Whether you’re a seasoned philanthropist, someone looking to dip their toes into charitable endeavors, or simply curious about the transformative power of giving, this podcast is for you.

Join us to discover how you too can become a force for good in a world that can always use more kindness.

Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update and check out our first season.

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“In a year wrought with economic uncertainty, natural disasters and humanitarian tragedy, we must prioritize giving now more than ever,” said Joseph Mrak III, chief executive officer of Foundation Source. “Whether you need help with strategizing charitable dollars or navigating conversations with friends and family about the importance of giving back, we hope these resources lay the groundwork for a meaningful and impactful giving season.”

Foundation Source’s 2023 Guide to the Giving Season includes the following resources:

• Tips for How and When to Donate During a Crisis – provides a guide to navigating the giving season in a year filled with natural disasters and humanitarian crises, suggesting strategies for balancing immediate and longer-term support.
• 5 Giving Strategies for Sophisticated Investors – details five creative strategies that the most savvy philanthropists use, often with guidance from professional advisors, to achieve tax-wise social impact.
• Philanthropic Community: Advice From Your Peers – this special compilation asks foundation leaders for the piece of advice they most want to share with other philanthropists to find meaning and success in giving.

“Year after year, we witness the power of charitable giving to generate impact, promote a sense of meaning and legacy, and bring families and communities closer together—this year is no exception,” said Gillian Howell, head of client advisory solutions. “We have already processed more than 30,000 individual grants this year and we’re not even in the official giving season yet, when volume tends to surge. We see this as a sign of continued generosity in response to growing need.”

Foundation Source also recently launched Be Giving – a new podcast series that explores the incredible impact charitable giving can have on individuals, communities and the world at large through compelling conversations with notable guests and experts. The podcast is available through Apple, Google, Spotify or the web. Featured guests include:

• Nick Flores, Managing Director Impact Investments, Caprock
• Stephen Gyllenhaal, Director and Producer, UnCharitable
• Rudy Espinoza, Executive Director, Inclusive Action for the City
• Shilpa Andalkar, Wealth Manager, Ensemble Capital
• Dien Yuen, Chief Executive Officer, Daylight Advisors
• Vu Le, Founder, Nonprofit AF

“The podcast is a celebration of inspiring people who are coming together in service of something greater than themselves,” said Elizabeth Wong, head of philanthropic advisory services and host of Be Giving. “It has been an honor to connect with these thought leaders who each play a unique role in driving real change across the charitable giving ecosystem. Whether you are new to charitable giving or a seasoned philanthropist, the insights in these episodes can help you take a more informed approach to giving.”

View these resources and more in Foundation Source’s Guide to the Giving Season 2023 Kit here: https://foundationsource.com/kits/mission/guide-to-the-giving-season-2023/

About Foundation Source (foundationsource.com)

Foundation Source is the nation’s largest provider of foundation management services and a trusted source for philanthropic expertise. We offer a purpose-built, cloud-based SaaS platform and a configurable suite of administrative, compliance, tax and advisory solutions for private philanthropists and their foundations.

For more than two decades, Foundation Source has been empowering people and companies to create a better world through philanthropy. We work with individuals, families, boards and professional advisors to bring philanthropic visions to life and make giving easier. Today we are proud to support more than 2,000 unique foundations representing over $20 billion in charitable assets.

MEDIA CONTACT
Carly Taylor
foundationsource@neibartgroup.com
973-618-6993

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