Grantmaking Strategy and Evaluation

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

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

Global Giving: Making a World of Difference

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Paula Johnson

This monograph describes through donors' stories the possibilities of global giving. For anyone who is interested in addressing issues beyond our borders, it offers a look at the new infrastructure that has emerged to promote and respond to donors' global interests and provides comprehensive information on the institutions that can help them get involved… Read More

The power of taking stock: 5 reasons to conduct evaluations

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Kris Putnam-Walkerly

Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, but I am not sure many foundations fully believe that. In the course of working with foundations across the country, I have made a somewhat surprising discovery: Many foundations grossly underestimate the importance of evaluating impact. This is unfortunate, because evaluation is both enlightening and empowering… Read More

Mission Related Investments Policy (Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation)

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation

The field of mission investing is changing rapidly, and the Foundation is in the process of learning and implementing criteria for investments that are consistent with our purpose and values.  Our Investment Committee considers options for market-rate Mission-Related Investments (MRIs) when it reviews asset allocation and conducts new manager searches. MRIs are expected to achieve competitive financial returns and meet… Read More

Principles of best practice for grantees (Independent Sector)

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Independent Sector

There are many established standards or Principles of Best Practice relative to nonprofit organizations’ accountability, ethical practices, governance, finance, programming and public disclosure.  On the Independent Sector’s website, you will find a comprehensive compilation of standards of best practices developed for nonprofits, the Compendium of Standards, Codes, and Principles of Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations.  After a review of many of… Read More

Does Mission- Related Investing Need to Become Mainstream Before it is Considered Acceptable?

Posted on October 9, 2014 by John Hawkins, Tomer Inbar

Do legal constructs based on the prudent caution of an ordinary person in a similar position imply that mission- related investing must become mainstream before becoming acceptable, a chicken-and-egg, Catch- 22? [Author: Tomer Inbar and John Hawkins] Tomer Inbar: You should think about your portfolio as a whole, how this class of assets fits in, and make sure that, overall,… Read More

Are There Any Easy, Less Labor- Intensive Options for Dipping Your Toes in the Water with Mission Investing?

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Tony Wells

Are there any less labor-intensive options for dipping your toes in the water of mission investing? Utilizing the services that Mission Investors Exchange offers is a great option for dipping your toes in the water. At the Wells Foundation, even though we’ve been doing this for some time, it’s been an incredible relationship with MIE and a tremendous value for… Read More

What is the Biggest Danger or Red Light to Think About with Regard to Mission Investing?

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Melanie Audette, Tomer Inbar, Tony Wells

What, if anything, is the biggest danger or red light to think about with regard to mission investing? And how do we avoid them? Tony Wells: Before going into the red lights of mission investing, it is worth mentioning that in nine years of mission investing at the Wells Foundation there has been a 100% return on our non-profit loans… Read More

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