Foundation Management Many foundations seek outside, professional support to help manage their day-to-day operations. Philanthropy Associates provides expert grants management, planning and administrative assistance to foundations, so that foundation leaders can focus on more rewarding aspects of philanthropy. Our consultant-managers ensure that your foundation runs smoothly, complies with all state and federal regulations and achieves the philanthropic objectives laid out by your foundation's board of directors. Our interim management services can be especially useful to foundations in transition, such as during an intergenerational transfer or while a key foundation manager is on family leave. Our staff is experienced in running a variety of philanthropic organizations, so we can move quickly into a management role, making sure all that all necessary work is completed during the interim management period. Meeting and Retreat Facilitation Impartial, skilled facilitation can be the key to successful foundation meetings. Our facilitators help groups reach higher quality decisions in less time, with less conflict, and help create an environment where difficult issues can be handled candidly. Philanthropy Associates plans and facilitates retreats that clarify the foundation's values, mission, vision, and program strategy, and helps develop appropriate operations to achieve the desired philanthropic impact. Our facilitators help boards and staff use time efficiently and effectively so that the 'retreat' is a genuine 'advance' for the organization. Coaching, Training & Workshops Philanthropy Associates offers short, highly interactive programs for foundation trustees and executives on topics such as: engaging the next generation, decision-making and leadership, managing change, clarification of roles, meeting management, effective communication, family and group dynamics and conflict resolution. These tailored training courses combine leading-edge organizational effectiveness theory with carefully selected experiential activities. Through personalized coaching, we can help founders, Board chairs, and other key individuals set their own priorities, define concrete personal objectives and identify and overcome any obstacles to achieving their philanthropic goals. Identifying Priorities for Giving Philanthropists often struggle with determining how to focus their giving, as well as how to say "no" gracefully to lower priority projects and organizations. Philanthropy Associates has developed an easy, step-by-step approach to ensure that you have a clear, realistic giving plan that is aligned with your core values and can achieve the philanthropic impact you desire. We have adapted this approach to work with individuals, families and foundations to help prioritize areas of interest and to identify projects and specific organizations to support. Our goal is to help philanthropists create a road map for their giving, providing a long-term perspective on where and how they can be most effective. Program Design & Evaluation Most foundations that achieve their desired objectives have carefully designed grantmaking programs that focus giving on clear targets. Philanthropy Associates helps create integrated grantmaking programs that are consistent with the foundation's values, easy to implement, and as flexible or structured as the board of directors desires. We also incorporate evaluation tools at the outset that measure the impact of the foundation's philanthropy and help determine where adjustments are necessary. Strategic Planning A good strategic plan aligns all foundation members around a common, focused direction. Philanthropy Associates facilitates foundation-wide strategic conversations and helps develop realistic strategic plans that clarify program priorities, incorporate foundation values and unify intent. Through firsthand observation and interviews with trustees and staff, we identify impediments to carrying out the strategic plan and help create appropriate operational solutions. Philanthropy Associates can also conduct anonymous surveys of grantees, community members and other external stakeholders to provide real feedback on how the foundation is perceived, where it is making a difference, and how it might improve its operations.