How Donors Can Make Grants for Nonprofits

The practice of philanthropy can be complicated. This series of briefs offers clear and concise discussions of such issues as anonymous giving, making pledges, naming rights, gift agreements, working with consultants, and many other topics. These briefs are designed to equip emerging donors with the knowledge they need to avoid mistakes and maximize their impact.

Donor Report: Anonymous Giving

Not every donor wants to be acknowledged and there are a number of ways to stay out of the limelight — even when making major donations.

Donor Report: Capital Projects

Many donors like capital projects, such as helping fund a new building. But these investments also have downsides that donors need to consider.

Donor Report: Community Foundations

Community foundations play an important role in the world of philanthropy and can help donors navigate the challenges of giving effectively.

Donor Report: Donor Collaboratives

In its most basic form, a donor collaborative is any group of funders working together to increase their impact. Here’s how they work.

Donor Report: Due Diligence

Smart donors take some time to look into the charities they may want to fund — checking out a group’s leadership, other funders, finances, and more.

Donor Report: Family Foundations

Family foundations can create a path to multi-generational giving. But these foundations take work and family dynamics can be complicated.

Donor Report: General Operating Support vs. Project Support

Should your donations to nonprofits come with restrictions? That’s an important question for donors to think carefully about.

Donor Report: Gift Agreements

If you’re making large donations, it’s important to know about charitable gift agreements — what they are and how they’re structured.

Donor Report: Grant Reports

While it can be reasonable for foundations to know how their funds were used, asking for grant reports should be done carefully.

Donor Report: How to Establish a Private Foundation

Should you set up a private foundation? Here are the pros and cons, along with what’s involved.

Donor Report: Intermediaries

Funding intermediaries help donors give with greater confidence, especially in areas where it’s hard to identify strong nonprofits.

Donor Report: Joining Funder Groups

There’s a lot to know about what’s happening in philanthropy and how to give effectively. Funder groups help you get plugged in.

Donor Report: Making Charitable Pledges

Pledges are common for major capital campaigns or long-term donors giving multi-year support.

Donor Report: Naming Rights

Naming opportunities can exist at various levels, for donors interested in such recognition, and the structure of these arrangements can vary.

Donor Report: Philanthropic Consultants

To be an effective philanthropist requires research, technical know-how, and a solid theory of change. Philanthropic consultants can help.

Donor Report: Retracting a Gift Pledge

Yes, donors can back out of a pledge if they have a good reason. But it can be complicated to do so and there are a number of thorny issues that may come up.