Exponent Philanthropy members are making a significant impact, serving diverse communities locally, regionally, nationally, and globally. Recently, I had an exciting few days meeting with over 30 members, partners, and supporters in the states of Oregon and Washington. I began my journey in Portland where participants expressed excitement and appreciation for the opportunity to connect and learn in person. The two-hour event fostered community among attendees and sharing promising practices within lean philanthropy.  As a guest shared, the funder community moves as the speed of trust and having this time to get to know one another around the table accelerates that dynamic.

During our session, Angela Hult, President of the Kuni Foundation and Exponent Philanthropy Board Member, initiated discussions by inviting the 20+ funders to share what excites them about their grantmaking work and to discuss the challenges they are encountering.

Promising Practices in Philanthropy: Perspectives Shared

Funders are:

  • Using simplified grant applications and reporting, encouraging others to do the same.
  • Celebrating major anniversaries with deeper investments and new funding methods.
  • Launching new multi-year, larger grants to build grantee capacity for long-term success.
  • Starting an oral reporting process to reduce grantee burden and improve connections.
  • Recognizing the need for grants of all sizes to support grassroots and early-stage organizations.
  • Expanding due to asset growth, requiring more staff but still focusing on lean operations and new grantmaking areas.
  • Addressing environmental challenges with new approaches and partnerships.
  • Sharing innovative and long-standing nonprofit partners who are improving the community and how the funders should adapt to support the organizations better.
  • Undergoing leadership transitions, implementing succession planning, and onboarding new board and staff members.

Lean Funder Challenges: Addressing Needs Across Communities

Funders are:

  • Juggling roles with volunteers and part-time staff.
  • Managing grantee partner burnout, with many key people leaving their organizations after the pandemic, and exploring how to better support grantee partners’ health and wellness.
  • Recruiting and onboarding new board members during generational leadership transitions in leanly staffed organizations.
  • Ensuring philanthropy strengthens communities and facilitates difficult conversations in times of conflict.
  • Building bridges between rural and urban communities to ensure equal opportunity for all.
  • Addressing local concerns of affordable housing and access to opportunities, as post-pandemic population growth prices out long-time community members.
  • Advocating for funding for nonprofits facing financial difficulties due to loss of government funds, staff transitions, increased service demand, and reduced private giving post-pandemic.
  • Balancing immediate community needs with longer-term societal challenges.

Read the full article about key takeaways on equipping funders by Paul D. Daugherty at Exponent Philanthropy.