Exponent Philanthropy

We work in community with so many committed partners to achieve the impact we seek. This week, our CEO, Patty McIlreavy, was in Austin during the Exponent Philanthropy Annual Conference to connect and build community. Thank you to The Patterson Foundation for hosting, we’re always grateful for these opportunities to meet inspiring changemakers as we pursue our vision of a world in which communities can better withstand and equitably recover from disasters. Our thanks to Debra Jacobs for facilitating the event and for capturing these photos!

We're in Austin for the Exponent Philanthropy Conference this week, exploring how to expand equity and impact in the nonprofit sector. So far our favorite conversations have been addressing wealth hoarding and investing in systems change for social change. Let us know if you're here!

Proud to represent Your Part-Time Controller, LLC at the Exponent Philanthropy conference with my amazing mentor, Rachel DeMatteo, CPA. As nonprofit accounting consultants, we love connecting with grantmakers who empower nonprofits to amplify their impact. I'm thrilled that our presentation, “4 Finance Basics All Lean Foundations Should Know,” was so well received. We covered essentials like board education, finance calendars, timely financial reporting, and outsourcing—key tools for telling a clear financial story and minimizing fraud. For a bit of fun, I’ve shared a peek at the hidden surprises behind our fliers. You never know when you’ll need a smiley face sticker, a lipstick touch-up, or a breath mint. I’m also thrilled to have acquired a flamingo rubber duckie! Huge thanks to my new friend Dominique Langerman, MPA from Whittier Trust for sponsoring the life-sustaining coffee! And yes, I do bring a Dolly Parton coaster to conferences. What’s in your backpack? #YPTC #foundations #EP2024

Sharing insights and strategies with family foundations at Exponent Philanthropy Conference in Austin. Representation Matters: Building Boards that Drive Sustainable Change. Thanks to St. David's Foundation for partnering with The New Philanthropists. Paulina Artieda (she/her/hers/ella) #leadership #DEI #representationmatters #nonprofit #philanthropy

#2024ExponentConference is a wrap! Our session #laveraging #socialcapital was well attended & engaging as reported by attendees. Thank you to my co-presenter Anna Taylor @thegreatersumfoundation for the opportunity to speak from a grantee prospective! Exponent Philanthropy great job! #equity #philanthropy #education

Today's lunch plenary was an incredible experience as we welcomed Mark Updegrove, Presidential Historian and President & CEO of the LBJ Foundation. Mark’s powerful message called for unity in these challenging times, urging us to recognize the importance of our actions in the present. He emphasized the need for compassion, empathy, and showing that as lean funders, we are committed to kindness and passion in all we do. Democracy, he reminded us, is in the hands of every generation to strengthen and preserve, embodied by the people who make up our society. His call to action: Think globally, act locally—a message that resonates now more than ever. Thank you, Mark, for sharing your wisdom and inspiring us all to lead with purpose. #Leadership #Unity #Democracy #Compassion #Empathy #2024ExponentConference

Our team is having a great time at Exponent Philanthropy's 2024 Annual Conference in Austin, TX! If you’re there, stop by our booth—we’d love to connect! #philanthropy #effectivegiving

Today we had an inspiring visit to the Texas Capitol! 🏛️ Big thanks to Jason Sabo for leading the tour and highlighting the critical role power funders play in driving change. Advocacy isn’t just for a select few—it’s for everyone, and it’s key to making progress on vital issues. We also had the privilege of meeting with Legislator James Talarico, who emphasized the importance of working across all spectrums to advocate for what’s right. Grateful for the insights and the opportunity to connect with such dedicated leaders! Thank you, Jason and James, for having us! 🙌 #Advocacy #TexasCapitol #Leadership #MakingChange #2024ExponentConference

Aimee Cunningham reminding us to “invest in the people you believe in, give them the resource, and then they can do the good” at Exponent Philanthropy.

Why does philanthropy keep asking nonprofits how they’ll “sustain the work” after a grant ends? This came up at a session I attended at the Exponent Philanthropy annual conference, and it got me thinking: What is actually being asked for here? The reality is, nonprofits sustain their work through ongoing fundraising. If one funder steps away, they go look for another. Maybe it’s time to let go of this question and look at how funders can be a part of their sustainability, not just a one-time source of it. A few things that can help: Invest in strengthening their evaluation infrastructure so they can demonstrate the impact of their work. Support evaluations based on goals that they define, with their communities. Spread the word about the work they’re doing. And yes, fund them—because funding keeps the work going, and it helps build credibility, opening the door to other funding and helping diversify income. I’m anxious for sustainability to stop being seen as a test of independence, but a partnership instead. #EquitableGrantmaking #Evaluation #Nonprofits #Sustainability #EvaluationCapacityBuilding