What Every Grantmaker Should Know & Legal FAQs

"What Every Grantmaker Should Know & Frequently Asked Legal Questions" is also available as a PDF. Download the PDF.

Foreword

• Letter to Colleagues and Friends
• Principles for Grantmakers

What Every Grantmaker Should Know

• Board Fiduciary Duties
• Private Foundation Self-Dealing
• Excess Benefit Transactions
• Board Compensation
• Staff Compensation
• Conflicts of Interest
• Reporting and Disclosure
• Investments
• Grantmaking
• Public Policy Engagement

Frequently Asked Legal Questions

• Lobbying
• Endowment Funds
• Community Foundations
• Private Foundation Self-Dealing
• Board Fiduciary Duties
• Investments
• Private Foundations vs. Public Charities
• 5% Payout Rule
• Grantmaking
• Annual Reporting and Public Disclosure
• Financial Audits

Related Resource

• Principles for Grantmakers and Practice Options for Philanthropic Organizations

© 2007, 2009 Minnesota Council on Foundations

All rights reserved.

This publication is intended to raise the level of practice among foundations and, therefore, may be reproduced and transmitted to those involved with this work in the field of philanthropy, providing there is full credit to the copyright owner.

Legal Disclaimer
None of the information in these tools should be construed as offering legal advice. The specific advice of legal counsel is recommended before acting on any matter covered.