Governance

If a Family Member is an Employee of a Non- Profit Funded by the Foundation, Does it Matter How Long the Person Has Worked There?

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Andrew Schulz

If a family member is an employee of a non-profit funded by the foundation, does it make any difference how long the person has worked there? No, it really doesn’t. The only issue is if it appears on its face that the only reason you’re writing the grant is so your son will get hired by the non-profit. That would have… Read More

Can a Foundation Fund a Non-Profit Where a Family Member is Employed?

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Andrew Schulz

Yes, as long as the grant isn’t earmarked for their compensation. However, consider an example where the total operating budget of the non-profit is $250,000, of which $100,000 is their compensation, and you provide a $200,000 grant. You’re really getting into an indirect self- dealing possibility where, as a matter of fact, you are paying their salary and it’s unavoidable… Read More

Executive director’s annual performance review

Posted on December 8, 2014

Planning & Organizing: Demonstrates an understanding of the Foundation’s mission and priorities; establishes effective courses of action to implement the goals and objectives set forth in the strategic plan. Judgement & Decisiveness: Makes well-timed and sound decisions; meets deadlines; solves problems promptly; sets appropriate priorities for tasks. Initiative: Sets high goals/standards of performance for self and others; originates action rather… Read More

Board officer roles and responsibilities

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Anonymous

Officers shall be elected or appointed annually by the Trustees; and each officer shall hold office for a term of one year or until a successor is elected and qualifies. There shall be no limit on the number of successive terms of office for which an officer may serve. Chair The Chair and Vice-Chair offices shall each be held by… Read More

Advisory board member roles and responsibilities

Posted on December 8, 2014

The Sample Family Foundation’s Declaration of Trust designates two groups of participants: (1) “Trustees,” all of whom are currently family members and who vote on grants and issues of governance; and (2) “Advisors” who serve in an advisory capacity without voting power. Advisors are appointed to three-year terms that may be renewed until the Advisor reaches the age of seventy-five… Read More

Is Your Foundation Leveraging the Power of Differences?

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Council of Michigan Foundations

Based on extensive research and experience emerging from its Transforming Michigan Philanthropy initiative, the Council of Michigan Foundations has developed this discussion guide and assessment tool to help foundation leaders begin essential conversations about the power of differences and determine the level of their organization’s readiness for growth… Read More

A Colleague’s Perspective on Trustee Orientation

Posted on November 8, 2014

“Becoming a trustee of a family foundation can be a complex, confusing and confounding experience. Suddenly you are thrust into a room full of persons whom you thought you knew, but now they are all in different roles.” So begins the introduction to this first-person account of the value of a thoughtful and comprehensive trustee orientation program… Read More

Igniting the Spark next gen case study: Foundation for Metrowest

Posted on October 31, 2014

Youth Program Name: Youth in Philanthropy Website:  www.foundationformetrowest.org Located in: Natick, Massachusetts Who is Involved: Youth from the MetroWest Boston communities Led and managed by staff from the Foundation for MetroWest Youth Programming History and Scope: The Foundation for MetroWest has been committed to educating the next generation of community leaders through the Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program since 1997… Read More

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