Masterson Consulting

For Funders

Ruth goes the extra mile to provide the highest quality of work.

– Former colleague at Exponent Philanthropy

Foundations: Overview of Services

With 25 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector working with hundreds of private foundations, I understand the dynamic context in which foundations operate, the unique role that they fill, and the stressors that must be managed.

The skills and experience I bring are a perfect match for smaller- and medium-staffed foundations. I understand that you are wearing many hats and are often stretched to capacity.

If we work together, I will:

  • Meet you where you are
  • Listen carefully
  • Be candid
  • Provide results that are aligned with your mission and ready for action

Sample projects that I can do for your foundation include:

  • Board self-assessments and organizational assessments tailored to your needs
  • Leadership succession planning
  • Landscape scans in your foundation’s current or prospective funding areas
  • Leadership succession planning
  • Landscape scans in your foundation’s current or prospective funding areas
  • Facilitating conversations around root causes and leverage points
  • Grantee perception assessments and other strategies for listening to grantees
  • Exploring new grantmaking strategies to improve impact, whether the foundation is considering multi-year grants, a peer review process, or participatory grantmaking
  • Providing technical initial or ongoing support setting up participatory grantmaking processes, scholarships or other grants to individuals, expenditure responsibility grants, advocacy grants, international grants, and other strategies
  • Writing communications to get your message out
  • Support, consultation, and/or staffing during the process of closing shop
  • Starting up – full formation and tax exemption

Download my Introduction Sheet to learn more. To discuss your ideas, please reach out for a conversation. I’m happy to chat with you about your needs and interests and answer your questions.