Candid insights
The big picture of the social sector, backed by data and expertise
6 Top Tips When Funders Aren’t Accepting Applications
Candid's vice president of Influence, Aleda Gagarin, shares her development expertise to answer the burning question every fundraiser asks themselves: Does the grantmaker accept applications and should I even consider this funder if they don't? What do I do when…
October 18, 2017
Foundations and Endowments: Smart People, Dumb Choices
This post is part of a Transparency Talk series, presented in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, examining the importance of the 990-PF, the informational tax form that foundations must annually file. The series will explore the implications of…
August 3, 2017
10 Ways Technology Can Advance Family Planning
Family planning and contraceptive social marketing used to be a straightforward, relatively low-tech affair. You would design an attractively packaged condom or contraceptive product and sell it to as many retail outlets as possible. To increase demand, you would create…
April 28, 2017
Warren Buffett Has Some Excellent Advice for Foundations That They Probably Won’t Take
This post is part of a Transparency Talk series, presented in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, examining the importance of the 990-PF, the informational tax form that foundations must annually file. The series will explore the implications of…
March 16, 2017
Apocalypse Later? Philanthropy and Transparency in an Illiberal World
This post is part of a Transparency Talk series, presented in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, examining the importance of the 990-PF, the informational tax form that foundations must annually file. The series will explore the implications of…
March 6, 2017
Ten Characteristics of High Performing Nonprofit Organizations
Despite the size of the $1.5 trillion nonprofit sector in the U.S. - nearly 10% of the economy - nonprofits are subject to rather minimal independent professional scrutiny beyond annual audits. Publicly traded companies publish quarterly financial reports, are subject…
February 2, 2017
Find a Fiscal Sponsor that Fits
You've got a brilliant idea for a nonprofit. You've done your research, gathered your team, and even have a lead on some funding. Someone suggests fiscal sponsorship as a smart way to start your project. But what is that? And…
June 6, 2016
Foundation Transparency: Game Over?
This post is part of a Transparency Talk series, presented in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, examining the importance of the 990-PF, the informational tax form that foundations must annually file. The series will explore the implications of the…
May 23, 2016
Confessions of a Program Officer
At the Hewlett Foundation, every program officer is limited to one eight-year term. Mine ends this week. As I reflect on my time here, I think about those moments of doubt when I wondered if I was doing meaningful work.…
April 3, 2016
6 Charitable Solicitation Facts to Know Before Applying for a Grant
For many nonprofits, foundation grants represent a significant part of their annual income. The Internet, of course, has made finding grant opportunities easier and has streamlined the grants application process to a degree. As organizations seek grant funds outside their…
March 25, 2016
20 Great Techniques for Writing the Perfect Nonprofit Tagline
A pitch-perfect tagline can be the foundation for all messages you create about your organization or program. A tagline is a punchy phrase consistently linked with your organization. It enhances your name by clarifying your work and making it relevant…
February 12, 2016
Dashboards: Nonprofits’ New Best Friend
If you lead or help manage a nonprofit organization, you know how hard it can be to provide clarity and transparency to your stakeholders. Revenue streams are unpredictable, databases can be hard to work with, and money has to be…
December 22, 2015