The Importance of Small Foundations

Most foundations in the United States are foundations with few or no staff. These foundations do tremendous work efficiently and creatively, in corners of country that would be hard for the largest foundations to touch in a sustained, direct way.

As you will see from the stories and essays below, small foundations tend to combine the ethos and generosity of an individual donor with the public presence and permanence typically associated with larger institutional foundations.

Why a Foundation - Tim Walter, Association of Small Foundations
For those considering starting a foundation, it's pretty easy to do. This essay outlines some questions to consider as you begin.

Starting Small - Adam Meyerson, Philanthropy Roundtable
Is being small a liability or a smart strategy? There is a lot to recommend about the passion and strength of smallness. This wisdom of starting small is Meyerson's topic.

The Evaluation Wars - W. A. Schambra, The Hudson Institute
Using local wisdom: "A smaller foundation can often outperform large foundations when it comes to uncovering truly effective grantees."

Personal Generosity for the Public Good - Virginia Esposito, National Center for Family Philanthropy
Whether a donor or philanthropic family chooses to make grants for a specific period of time or for generations, those gifts are motivated and enhanced by their passions, their commitment, and their creative energies.

Nimbleness - The Frees Foundation
One small foundation's ability to act quickly and confidently saved a project funded by one of Houston's largest foundations.

Focused Giving - DeBusk Foundation
Concentrating grant-giving on a single project or mission can help a foundation with limited assets be more effective.

Giving More Than Grants - Three Guineas Fund
Sometimes one of the best gifts a foundation can offer does not come in the form of money.

Foundations as Certifiers of Nonprofits - The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation
Small foundations touch thousands of nonprofits each year. A foundation's support can be a stamp of approval in a way a checkbook donation from an individual is not.

Creative Grantmaking - The Washington Square Health Foundation
One small foundation blends charitable work with the principles of the market to increase their giving resources.

Towards Sustainability - The Montgomery Foundation
With a gift to its community, a foundation helps a long-time grantee become self-sustaining.

Taking Risks for a Positive Change - Institute of Mental Hygiene
Taking a grantmaking risk helped establish an award-winning support program for parents of disabled children.

Extending Reach Through Funding Partnerships - Joseph Getch and Raymond Orr, First Nations Development Institute
Two small foundations discover that collaborating helps them better serve their grantees and their mission.