Findings

A movement sweeping through American philanthropy is making life significantly easier for the nonprofits that receive grants — and considerably harder for the people inside foundations who make them. If you give meaningfully to charity, in any form, this shift is worth understanding. The Old Way Was Exhausting for Everyone For decades, getting a grant from a foundation meant running a gauntlet. Nonprofit staff — often already stretched thin —...

For years, donors have pressured nonprofits onto a starvation diet. Many make it clear they only want to give to charities with the highest program spending percentages. They push charities to spend almost all their money on direct programs and cut their "overhead" — things like rent, computers, and staff training, and fundraising — to the absolute bone. The logic is that the less spent on overhead, the more spent on programs, so more good is...

Imagine you run a food bank. A company gives you a semi-truck full of cereal. You didn't write a check for it, but it is valuable. In the charity world, these non-cash donations are called Gifts-in-Kind. These gifts can come in many forms, including: Food and groceries (like canned goods or farm crops) Medicine and medical supplies (like bandages, wheelchairs, or prescription drugs) Clothing and household items (like shoes, coats, or furniture)...

Major foundations use precise frameworks to deploy their capital. But as an individual donor, you have a distinct advantage: you get to marry thoughtful planning with your own deep, personal passion. Taking your philanthropy to the next level doesn't require a advanced degree in philanthropy. In fact, you can be the only expert needed in your charitable giving. Here are six simple steps to help you align your heart’s passion with a foundation’s...