Operational Excellence + Measurable Growth

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Full-Service Management

Foundation & Grant Management

Foundation governance, grant program administration, fundraising, and 990-PF compliance for association-affiliated foundations.

What We Deliver

Many trade associations and professional societies operate affiliated foundations — 501(c)(3) entities with distinct governance, compliance, and operational requirements. Association Core manages the full foundation function with the institutional rigor that public charity status demands.

Scope of Services

  • Foundation Governance & OperationsFoundation board management, bylaws compliance monitoring, meeting facilitation, and documented separation-of-operations protocols between the foundation and parent association.
  • Grant Program Design & AdministrationGrant guidelines development, application management, review committee facilitation, award administration, grantee reporting systems, and impact measurement.
  • Donor Relations & Fundraising CampaignsAnnual fund campaigns, major donor cultivation strategies, planned giving program design, and donor acknowledgment and stewardship systems.
  • Scholarship Fund ManagementScholarship program administration, selection committee coordination, recipient communications, disbursement processing, and fund-level financial accounting.
  • 990-PF & Regulatory Compliance CoordinationPrivate foundation compliance monitoring, excise tax management, distribution requirement tracking, and coordination with tax counsel on self-dealing and other complex issues.
  • Foundation-Association Relationship ManagementGoverning the operational and financial relationship between the association and its foundation — including shared services agreements, cost allocation, and conflict-of-interest protocols.

Our Approach

01
Foundation Governance Review

Assess current governance structure, compliance posture, and operational practices against IRS requirements and best practices for private foundations.

02
Program Design or Refinement

Design or refine grant and scholarship programs with clear objectives, selection criteria, and impact measurement frameworks.

03
Ongoing Administration

Execute all foundation operations including grant cycles, fundraising campaigns, compliance filings, and board governance on a documented annual calendar.

04
Reporting & Impact Measurement

Annual foundation impact report, grant outcome analysis, and financial performance reporting to board and major donors.

The Case for Foundation & Grant Management

Private Foundation Compliance Is Unforgiving

The IRS takes private foundation violations seriously — including self-dealing, failure to distribute, and jeopardizing investments. Non-compliance carries excise taxes and can jeopardize exempt status.

Foundations Amplify Mission Impact

A well-managed foundation extends the association’s mission reach — funding workforce development, scholarships, and research that dues revenue cannot support.

Donor Relationships Require Consistent Stewardship

Foundation donors — particularly major donors and planned gift prospects — require systematic cultivation and stewardship. Inconsistent attention kills gift pipelines.

Ready to Elevate Your Association?

Let’s discuss how Foundation & Grant Management can deliver measurable results for your organization.

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