S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

A vision for California: The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation envisions a productive, vibrant, and sustainable California that is a model of success and a source of innovation.

A commitment to now: California faces many critical challenges, which require resources and imaginative solutions. In response to this reality, the Board of Directors decided to invest all the Foundation’s assets by 2020. This decision reflects a commitment to identifying lasting solutions for education and the environment sooner, rather than later. The Foundation also invests in building the capacity and resiliency of grantee organizations to leave them positioned to carry on the work of furthering a successful California for decades to come, and in the overall effectiveness of the philanthropic sector.

Learn more: sdbjrfoundation.org.

 

Contributions

Resilience in 2020

Posted on December 10, 2020 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

New field research examines how nonprofits have experienced the crises of 2020 – and what this tells us about organizational resilience. Findings are based on interviews with 22 leaders at 19 nonprofits and intermediaries in September and October… Read More

Resiliency Guide

Posted on August 17, 2020 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

This Guide is designed to help deepen thinking about where, when, and how to invest in capacity building, while also helping funders to explore the dimensions of resiliency and help their grantee organizations prepare for eventual independence from grant funding… Read More

Resilience at Work: How Nonprofits Adapt to Disruption. How Funders Can Help.

Posted on April 17, 2020 by Diana Scearce, S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

Today and in the future, there is one thing social change leaders can be sure of: they will experience disruption, uncertainty, and significant change. Whether recovering from a hurricane, navigating global health concerns, responding to shifts in public policy, or regrouping after the departure of a top leader, nonprofits that get intentional about cultivating organizational resilience are better at anticipating and adapting to disruption. … Read More

Building Impact: Tools for Making Good Capital Grants

Posted on November 18, 2019 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

Capital projects are frequently transformational, changing the arc of the nonprofit organizations that choose to build. Unlike program grants that aim to advance change in complex systems, the process for a capital grant is seemingly transactional: a grant is made, and a structure is built or renovated. As many nonprofits and funders have found, however, the trajectory of a capital project is rarely clear cut… Read More

Funding Resiliency

Posted on July 18, 2019 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

This Content Collection shares a collection of resources developed by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation on the topic of resiliency. It is designed to help deepen thinking about where, when, and how to invest in capacity building, while also helping funders to explore the dimensions of resiliency and help their grantee organizations prepare for eventual independence from grant funding. Read More

Working with Consultants and Philanthropic Advisors

Posted on March 1, 2019 by S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation

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There are almost as many reasons to hire a consultant as there are consultants. These resources will help you take the right steps to find, hire, and manage a consultant who will deliver what you need whether it be for strategy, evaluation, communications, or providing fundraising advice and support for your grantee partners. Read More

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