The Foundation Incubator

How was The Foundation Incubator formed?
Why is a Foundation Incubator needed?
What is incubation?
What constitutes "effective, strategic philanthropy"?
What are the benefits of membership in the Incubator?
Who is located in the Incubator?
What are the advantages of locating at the Incubator?
Must I be located at The Foundation Incubator in order to participate in programs?
Who are the Founders?

Q. How was The Foundation Incubator formed?
In 2000, a group of foundation leaders recognized that many philanthropists felt isolated and lacked opportunities to openly discuss issues, learn best practices, and drive innovation. They envisioned a community in which individual donors and new, emerging, and established foundations, with expert guidance and support, could collaborate and exchange ideas. The Foundation Incubator opened its doors in August, 2001.

Q. Why is a Foundation Incubator needed?
Philanthropy is a growing industry. The 62,000 foundations in the U.S. hold assets in excess of $500 billion and over 5,000 new foundations are created each year. Many are located in the West, with Silicon Valley emerging as a major philanthropic center. Despite this proliferation, the process of establishing and managing a foundation can be time-consuming, confusing, and isolating.

Through mentoring, collaboration, and professional education, The Foundation Incubator helps foundations to be more informed, strategic, and effective. Philanthropists learn in a person-to-person, just-in-time manner from the best in the field.

Q. What is incubation?
The Foundation Incubator is patterned after the business incubator model, which has a proven track record. Studies show 80 percent of "incubated" companies survive the first five years, compared to an overall survival rate of less than 25 percent. Incubators provide hands-on management assistance, access to a network of critical financial and strategic partners, and shared office services, access to equipment, flexible leases, and expandable space - all under one roof.

Q. What constitutes "effective, strategic philanthropy"?
Strategic philanthropy implies that a foundation's financial decisions, grantmaking, structure, and accountability are targeted to a well-defined mission. In order to be effective and strategic, foundations achieve clarity of purpose, think systematically, consider options for investing in social change, explore innovative approaches to grantmaking, determine ways to relate meaningfully with grantees, and develop appropriate strategies to evaluate investments. TFI provides the tools to assist foundations in making these strategic decisions.

Q. What are the benefits of membership in The Foundation Incubator?
As one member put it, "At TFI, my domains are always expanding and I am being pushed to think about philanthropy differently." TFI offers a total learning environment in which programs are tailored to individual needs, a focus on helping members become better informed and more creative, and networking with peers, professionals and key decision-makers in philanthropy and related fields. You don't have to do it alone! *Click here to learn more about member benefits.

Q. Who is located in the Incubator?
A variety of philanthropic organizations with a wide range of assets and programmatic interests.

1. Barrett Foundation
2. Community Foundation Silicon Valley
3. Marguerite Casey Foundation
4. Dalai Lama Foundation
5. House Family Foundation
6. Morgan Family Foundation
7. Palo Alto Community Fund
8. Special Hope Foundation
9. Women Donors Network

*Click here to learn more about our resident community.

Q. What are the advantages of locating at the Incubator?
Sharing space offers access to TFI's dynamic environment, its diverse membership, and expert staff. When you have an issue, question, or concern, you are likely to find someone to help you.
*Click here to learn more about our resident community.

Q. Must I be located at The Foundation Incubator in order to participate in programs?
No. Many members retain their own offices and attend TFI programs at our Palo Alto facility and in other locations in and around the Bay Area. Some members choose to lease an office at the Incubator while others take advantage of a menu of options, including use of our conference and meeting rooms, guest desk, resource library and reception services. *Click here to learn more about multi-use facility options.

Q. Who are the founders?
The following foundations led the establishment of The Foundation Incubator. They are referred to as the founding investors: