Resources

Dear Colleagues, I have a question about best practice surrounding the issue of confirming no goods and services were received for grant payments (acknowledgement statements). In speaking with various funder colleagues, there seem to be several ways Foundations receive/document such statements. As we are rethinking our methods of obtaining such statements, I am curious what members consider to be best practice to balance burden on grantees but also have the appropriate documentation for 501(c)3 compliance and audit purposes as well. Below are my questions: • Is a provision for the no goods and services statement within the grant agreement itself—so by signing the agreement the grantee attests to this statement? Or does the agreement simply require the grantee to provide such statements after each grant payment (in a separate process described below)? • Or is the statement separate from the agreement and submitted only after payment has been issued? For example, in an on-line grants management system, is the grantee required to provide a follow-up acknowledgement letter/email stating that no goods and services were received after the grant payment is received by the grantee? o If a multi-year grant, is such a statement required after each grant payment is made? • If there is no agreement but just an award letter, does the letter include language making it clear that by providing banking information to process the electronic payment it also serves as an attestation of no goods/services? Or is the grantee required to separately provide a follow-up acknowledgement letter/email stating that no goods and services were received after the grant payment was made? • Are there other ways that Foundations ensure such acknowledgement of no goods and services statements are documented appropriately for compliance/audit? All thoughts and comments are welcome on this in the weeds question! Thank you in advance for your help. Take care, Sara

Hello Geo, As part of our Strategic Visioning process in 2022, the Iowa West Foundation conducted a number of community listening sessions called Imagine Hours. As a place-based foundation, Iowa West strives for communities in which families love to live and businesses thrive. The Imagine Hours helped us to understand that the community members in our area of southwest Iowa value: Belonging, Financial Stability, Opportunity, and Wellbeing as elements of a prosperous community. We have shifted our focus to align with this feedback. We are also trying to identify metrics that demonstrate whether we are accomplishing Wellbeing (defined as thriving instead of just surviving). We believe an indicator or metric that spoke to community hope would be a strong candidate, but have not found many good resources on how to do this at a city or county level. Does anyone have any great examples, communities, or resources we should consider as we develop this? Thanks! Matt

This report is a final offering to philanthropy from the Hazen Foundation and its nonprofit partners. The report includes grantee recommendations for funder partnerships that advance a more effective and sustainable movement for social justice.

Are you a foundation trustee or a staff leader working with a foundation/grantmaker board that is intentionally exploring and/or making changes to governance practices to make your board more equitable, meaningful and valuable? If you have been thinking about and experimenting with better/alternative/equitable board governance, GEO would like to hear your story. Please reach out to Meghan Duffy (duffy@geofunders.org) to share the kinds of changes you are making, regardless of how far along you are in the process and if your work has gone well or been more challenging. GEO will host an initial conversation during the National Conference (May 20-22 in Los Angeles) and will be convening additional learning and sharing within our community throughout the next few years. We’re excited to surface more concrete examples of grantmaker boards who are trying to operate differently to meet the needs of their missions and align with their values. Thank you! Meghan

Hello Everyone, We are seeking recommendations for a GMS that incorporates relationship management into the process to allow for tracking of prospect contact, meetings, visits, etc. One system we’ve heard about that might fit the bill is Giving Data. We’re curious if any of you are using Giving Data as your GMS? If so, we’d be grateful to hear how it’s working for you. We’re also open to any other suggestions for a GMS that offers more prospect and relationship management! Or anyone have a system you just love? Many thanks as always! Georganna

Hi all, We’re looking to create a set of sentinel indicators at the portfolio level for some of our thematic areas. We’re understanding sentinel indicators to be indicators that are closely related to the TOC critical assumptions and track whether expected changes are happening. They are intended to identify areas that could benefit from further investigation. Is anyone else using sentinel indicators or something similar and would be willing to share more about their experience and the indicators they are using? Would really appreciate it! Best, Chhavi

Financial capital provides the fuel for all enterprises, regardless of tax status. Yet the conventional way of funding social enterprises undermines financial strength and resilience. Enterprise Capital offers a better way to build financial strength, enhancing nonprofits’ ability to strengthen Arkansas communities.

Hello GEO friends, I am interested to learn if you have any naming protocols or conventions that you use for grants that you provide to capital projects. Do you ask for naming after your foundation if you provide over a certain amount of funding to the project? Are there other parameters that you consider when making such a request? Thank you for your assistance! Charlotte

Posting on behalf of an anonymous GEO member: “I'm interested in learning about and/or connecting with GRANTMAKERS (specifically; not nonprofits) who have gone down the path of a non-hierarchical or shared leadership model of management structure. I would love to hear about and learn from other foundations who are structured this way without a singular President/Executive Director or experimenting with other forms. Can you direct me to anyone who can offer advice or experience? Thank you in advance.”

Dear GEO Community, Our Foundation is currently in the implementation phase of a new strategic plan, which includes re-designing our organization to match our strategy. To assist us in this important phase of our development we are in the process of identifying potential consultants. Ideally, it would be most effective to engage a consultant/consulting firm that provides expertise in a number of areas including structure, process, and culture. Any insight, recommendations, and/or referrals you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Curtis