Case Studies

Institutional Foundations

Strategy

Arabella Advisors offers institutional foundations an independent perspective as they hone existing programs and develop new strategies. We also provide insights into organizational operations, helping to streamline the process of grant making and while ensuring programs are communicated with clarity and transparency among grantees and the larger community.

Our philanthropy advisors:

Articulate grant-making goals focused on clear outcomes;
Develop new or restructure existing programs that reflect the foundation’s goals and mandate;
Structure cost-effective operational systems;
Craft communications strategies and plans that demonstrate the foundation’s impact.

Insight

As thought leaders in the philanthropic world, we provide foundations with access to cutting-edge tools and leading perspectives on the issues affecting the field. We keep our institutional clients abreast of best practices, while facilitating their exposure and connection to other donors and potential partners.

Clients rely on us to:

Gain a solid understanding of the giving context by identifying potential grantees according to a specific region, issue area, or size;
Research new philanthropic strategies to spur innovation;
Facilitate high-engagement or venture-philanthropy investments to create a deep relationship between the foundation and its grantees;
Identify communities of donors who share similar interests.

Analysis

Our expertise in the nonprofit world allows foundations to make confident decisions and informed contributions. Through research and analysis we help clients pursue new opportunities and assess the likely impact of their grant-making strategies. We monitor results, evaluate outcomes and, when warranted, help refine strategies with recommendations based on the foundation’s experience and our own.

Our analysis helps to:

Investigate organizations and issues to identify giving opportunities in specific geographies;
Conduct due diligence of nonprofit organizations to establish credibility and, when necessary, provide anonymity;
Coordinate local, national and international site visits to enable first-hand knowledge;
Monitor grant-making programs to ensure success and inform future giving;
Evaluate grant-making programs and individual grantees to measure impact.

Capacity

We help institutional clients improve their knowledge and capacity for giving by providing the tools that allow them to make an even larger impact. For foundations that seek to engage in new areas of giving, we provide the expertise to help them gain a thorough understanding of issues that may interest them. We can also provide day-to-day staff assistance, serving as ad-hoc program officers during times of acute staffing needs.

Our resources help foundations:

Cope with seasonally-changing staffing demands by providing assistance in docket preparation and trustee meetings;
Manage discreet programs, particularly those related to grantee capacity-building.