Q: Do small foundations hold any special opportunities to do good in society?

A: Yes absolutely! While we hear about big foundations more and more in the news, most foundations in the United States actually operate with few or no staff. Because small foundations are operated by just a few board members, they are nimble and can respond quickly to unforeseen needs or emergencies, or provide bridge funding until more long-term  funding arrives.  And because small foundation board members typically have lived and worked in the community for years, they have accumulated knowledge about local needs, good work, good organizations, and other funders. This knowledge and experience empowers small foundations to target and support good local work and effective ways to make change.

Read more about the importance of small foundations in a collection of essays and stories.