A Call for Higher Payout From a Believer in Perpetual FoundationsPhil Buchanan President, CEP
The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) has published new research examining foundation board responsibilities and the acute financial strain on U.S. nonprofits. The study, released alongside CEP’s 25th‑anniversary reflections, finds many foundations are falling short of recommended payout levels. Researchers call for higher distribution rates to better support nonprofits navigating the current crisis. The findings aim to guide funders toward more effective, mission‑aligned giving.
Four Nonprofit Leaders on a Year of Extraordinary ChallengeCEP Staff
Four nonprofit leaders reflect on a turbulent year marked by shifting funding dynamics and heightened governance challenges. Bill Gates announced his foundation will spend its $200 billion endowment by 2045, reigniting the spend‑down versus perpetuity debate. The Center for Effective Philanthropy’s...
Rethinking the Spend-Down Debate: Mission First, Timeline SecondTracy McFerrin Founder and Principal, Credo AdvisorsBen Zeno
Recent research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy highlights that foundation leaders are grappling with heightened demand and tighter funding, prompting a reassessment of the traditional spend‑down debate. Tracy McFerrin and Ben Zeno argue that timing of asset depletion should...
How Getting Clear on Values Helped One Foundation Show Up for Its PartnersElizabeth Love CEO, Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation
The Hershey Foundation, led by CEO Elizabeth Love, recently clarified its core values, enabling it to align more closely with partner nonprofits and respond effectively to a tightening funding environment. By articulating a purpose‑first framework, the foundation shifted from crisis‑mode...