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The CMF Statewide Equity Fund (SEF) was established as a tool for Michigan foundations to pool resources to practice cutting-edge, equity-centered philanthropy. The support and leadership of CMF members helped our community of philanthropy explore ways to equitably shape federal and state investments in communities. The SEF Strategic Support Pilot began in 2022, supporting five regions where CMF members launched new efforts to work closely with their local governments to guide investments toward equitable outcomes within their communities – efforts that are continuing today.
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explore our Knowledge center
Browse these timely, relevant resources curated by our team of experts to deepen your knowledge of best practices, data insights and more. If you have suggested resources for inclusion in the Knowledge Center please contact our team.
Changing Fund Agreements & Variance Power
Through Ask CMF, community foundations and other philanthropic grantmakers frequently submit questions related to making changes to fund agreements for the funds that they hold.
Sustaining Maturing Foundations
Recognizing that much of the educational material available nationally to assist foundations is designed for foundation orientations – to assist those just getting started – this resource alternatively focuses on the needs of executives, staff and board members of maturing foundations.
What Boards and Executives Need to Know: Self-Dealing
While private foundations have strict rules for self-dealing among disqualified persons, many of these rules are well-established best practices for other grantmakers and public charities.
What Boards and Executives Need to Know: Foundations
Board members and staff of philanthropic institutions regularly reach out to CMF to learn more about the various types of grantmaking foundations.
What Boards and Executives Need to Know: Succession Planning
Board members and staff of philanthropic institutions regularly reach out to CMF to learn more about succession planning. The Ask CMF team has curated the following resources for organizations considering how to plan for a hypothetical or forthcoming transition for executive positions.
What Boards and Executives Need to Know: Executive Searches
Board members and staff of philanthropic institutions regularly reach out to CMF to learn more about executive searches.
Grantmaking With Purpose - Sample Grant Materials
This resource is intended to provide sample documents for the initial stages of the grantmaking process.
Common Grant Application and Final Report Template
A common grant application is intended to be utilized by multiple foundations, minimizing the burden on nonprofit partners to complete numerous, divergent applications looking to obtain grants from multiple funders.
FAQS About Disasters
This resource is intended to explore frequently asked questions involved in managing disaster funds, specifically issues of concern to private foundations, community foundations, corporate foundation/giving programs and other public charities that manage grantmaking.
Comparing Philanthropic Giving Structures: Private Foundation or Community Foundation-Based Fund?
This document is a reference tool for considering which philanthropic giving structure is most appropriate to the unique situation and priorities of these individuals and families.
Charitable Gaming and Auctions For Grantmaking Foundations and Nonprofit Organizations
This guide provides an overview of the regulations and practical considerations of different types of charitable gaming available to nonprofit organizations.
New Attitudes, Old Practices: The Provision of Multiyear General Operating Support
This report examines the state of practice in philanthropy regarding multi-year general operating support.