The 2025 edition of our flagship report offers valuable insights into how foundations with lean operations manage resources, structure grantmaking, and govern effectively. It highlights key trends and best practices from Exponent Philanthropy’s community of lean funders.

This year, we focus on Catalytic Leadership in Philanthropy (CLIP)—our approach to helping funders outsize their impact beyond grants. By offering flexible funding, collaborating with grantees, and using all their resources strategically, lean funders are driving meaningful change.

Explore mission-critical data on board governance, staffing, investments, grantmaking, and equity practices. This edition also features the latest benchmarking data on salaries, benefits, and administrative costs to help funders make informed decisions.