Grantmaker's Fundamentals Series | Part 2: Funding Recommendations and Due Diligence

All grantmakers are invited to participate in this four-part professional development series taught by our region's experienced practitioners, presented by Maryland Philanthropy Network.

Session 2 will cover

Funding Recommendations and Due Diligence

Participants learn the art of grantmaking, balancing organizational values and goals, trustees’ interests, applicant relationships and best practices in due diligence to better review and recommend grant proposals.

• Unconscious bias in your proposal review process

• How to determine a proposal’s relevance and fit for your foundation culture

• Best practices in presenting recommendations to the board

• Communicating with grantseekers and grantees as partners

• How to conduct a valuable site visit

Legal and Ethical Issues

Participants are introduced to key legal and ethical issues in grantmaking through scenarios and MPN’s Guiding Principles.

• The basic rules of expenditure responsibility

• Definition and how to avoid self-dealing

• The role of conflicts of interest policies

• Strategies for managing common ethical challenges

Who Should Attend

• Trustees, staff, and executive directors of foundations, giving circles, and corporate giving programs who want to expand their grantmaking skills, deepen their understanding of philanthropy, and learn from their colleagues
• Individuals who are exploring how to organize significant charitable giving  
• Beginning grantmakers will appreciate the workshop's efficient overview of all aspects of grantmaking
• Intermediate grantmakers will appreciate the time to reflect on, refine and refresh their grantmaking fundamentals

This event is part of a four-part workshop series. Click here to view the entire series.

Multi-session discount

A discount of 25% off will be applied to the cart when you register for all four sessions in the series at the same time. No code needed.

• $300 for MPN members
• $435 for non-member grantmakers

Please note: You will need an account to register for this event. To create one, click here. Total attendance will be limited to 25 registrants; Maryland Philanthropy Network reserves the right to cancel the event if fewer than five grantmakers register (fees would be reimbursed). 

This workshop is adapted from Essential Skills and Strategies for New Grantmakers, co-developed by the Council on Foundations and the United Philanthropy Forum. All participants will receive a set of helpful reference materials.