Working with Foundations
Mary Hunt-Lieving
Senior Program Officer
What is a foundation?
Nonprofit
 Funds from one or more sources
 Supports eligible, charitable purposes

•Some Foundations are not grant makers. Think-tanks for example
Basics of Foundations (grant makers)
Endowments
 Invested
 Some are ‘perpetual’ (% in grants)
 Some are ‘pass through’

Types
Private:
one source
 Family:
donor family involvement
 Operating:
provide charitable services
 Independent: generally do not raise funds
 Corporate:
company sponsored
 Public:
multiple sources

Private Funding: Foundations

National
 Nature
of the program
 Internal criteria

Regional
 Geographic
region served
 Nature of the program
 Current initiative areas
Community Foundations
Excellent vehicle to increase local giving
 “Funds” created by individuals, groups,
companies
 Permanently endowed
 Governed locally
 Multiple charitable activities

Corporate
Company Geographic Footprint
 Mission
 May Support Company Profile

Grantees
IRS Charitable Non-profits
 Units of Government
 Colleges and Universities
 Schools

Benedum and Local Government
Research (e.g. economic impact analysis)
 Planning
 Civic Engagement
 Project Development
 Regional Collaboration
 Project funding
