In recognition of International Client’s Day, we’re pausing to reflect on the incredible philanthropic journeys of our clients and thank them for their commitment to making the world a better place. If you follow our Foundation Friday blog series, you’ve likely seen some of their inspiring stories and we believe we can all benefit from their lived experiences as philanthropists. We’re pleased to share their words of wisdom, including some of the lessons they’ve learned over the years.
The Rodriguez Cheever Foundation
It is important to find those causes that you are passionate about so that the time and resources you will be investing in will feel worth pursuing.
Akamai Foundation
We as individuals can champion inclusivity in our everyday lives. To be role models, to listen, educate, be open, to change, grow and adapt. Just leading with positivity. We can all make a difference.
The Kendeda Fund
Something my mom has always been able to do is see herself and her work as part of a process. As people often stay, it’s standing on the shoulders of the activists, funders, groups, and social movements that came before. And there will be others who come after you that will continue to advance the work in ways that are meaningful, relevant and powerful. That humility was very much baked into Kendeda by my mom’s values or just that lack of seeing that Kendeda is the center of the universe. I do think it’s important to take the role really seriously…to do your very best work that you can with good resources that you have and knowing that you are part of a much broader set of dynamics, forces, partners, and communities. That also makes the end easier. It is our goal for people who visit our website and resources to find lessons learned and pieces to borrow from that they can then use and interpret in their own ways.
The Boris Lurie Art Foundation
With all the moving parts of organizing exhibitions worldwide, Foundation Source’s services prove indispensable. We rely on the client services team’s expertise to collaborate with vendors around the world and can feel assured that they are keeping a close eye on all transactions to ensure compliance with IRS guidelines.
Lee Oceans Foundation
The foundation structure, which allows us to combine grant-giving with direct charitable activities, has been crucial in allowing us the most flexibility in finding the most effective way to pursue our mission.
The Bowman Family Foundation
By having a foundation (versus a donor-advised fund), we are able to have a “presence” with a track record, a website, etc. We also enter into contracts to commission work by for-profit or non-profit entities. For us, contracting has become our primary mode of “doing business”. These features of a foundation structure can add to a donor’s ability to make an impact.
Wags and Menace Make a Difference Foundation
I work with a tremendous team of nonprofits, each of which has its own strengths and assets that have helped me make a difference in the lives of animals. Instead of organizations, I research worthy projects. I’ll watch over an organization’s social media presence for months to learn more about what they do.
The Reid Burns Foundation
My investment advisors and foundation representative helped me out with the process of setting up a foundation with Foundation Source, which went smoothly. Note that there is a 5% minimum distribution requirement per year by law, so it helps to keep an eye on that and not have to scramble at the end of the year to meet the minimum.
We are proud of our clients and all the good they are doing. To learn more, you can read their full stories in our Foundation Friday series.
Want to learn more about the ways we support private foundations?
Looking for an easier way to manage a foundation or want to start a foundation? Our philanthropic specialists are here to help! To learn more, schedule a call with us or reach us at 800-839-0054. Together, let’s #begiving.
Have a Foundation Friday story you’d like to share?
Write to us at for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue!
