A balanced crew: Why discussions about foundations' governance and leadership must not forget about the non-profits

Abstract

This response to Ahmad and von Schnurbein's article argues that strategies for strengthening grant-making foundations can be expanded through an examination of the relationship between foundations and non-profits, in particular the power balance between them. It offers a preliminary discussion of the consequences of an imbalance of power for both foundation and non-profit and the related role of communication both between them and within the organisations. It subsequently focusses on the need for more support for balanced relationships between foundations and non-profits from the leadership of foundations and the wider sector.