Your Essential Resource for Foundation Success

The Foundation Guidebook is a practical guide for leaders of foundations with few or no staff. Whether you’re launching a new foundation or taking on a key role in an existing one, this updated edition provides essential insights and step-by-step guidance for effective foundation management. 

What’s Inside: Key Areas of Focus

• Defining Purpose - Clarify your foundation’s mission and focus. 
• Effective Leadership - Build a strong and engaged board. 
• Financial Basics - Set up sound financial practices. 
• Streamlined Operations - Simplify day-to-day management. 
• Legal Essentials - Understand key compliance requirements. 

Designed for Flexibility

This guide is designed for flexibility. Jump to the chapters that meet your immediate needs, and revisit sections as your foundation evolves. You’ll also find links to additional resources and templates to support each topic, making it easy to apply best practices directly to your work.

Supporting Your Foundation’s Journey

 Wherever you are in your foundation’s journey, the guidebook is here to support your work toward something significant and rewarding. 

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the C.S. Mott Foundation for supporting the 2024 updates to this publication, and to our professional partners, Glenmede and Arnold & Porter, for their invaluable assistance in reviewing these updates.