Kris Putnam-Walkerly

How to Overcome the 15 Barriers to Effective Succession Planning    Over my 25 years advising funders, I’ve seen how proactive succession planning for foundations can transform their ability to navigate leadership changes smoothly and sustain their mission. Today, I’m excited to lead my 8th workshop titled “The Simplified Succession Plan: Your Foundation’s Untapped Superpower.” […]

You understand the importance of strategic planning in philanthropy. However, the real challenge lies in the implementation of your strategy. Despite the significant effort invested in developing a strategic plan, many organizations struggle to bring their strategies to life. Here are five common reasons why strategic plans often fail and what you can do to

Inaction has a price. Hesitating to put a new strategic plan into motion can have significant hidden costs, impacting the the foundation’s effectiveness and its ability to make timely and meaningful contributions. Despite the best intentions, many funders fall into the trap of believing that strategic plans need a lengthy incubation period before they can

As philanthropy leaders, we’re all familiar with the importance of regular strategic planning, financial planning, and investment planning. These practices are essential for ensuring the long-term health and impact of our organizations. Without them, we risk financial instability, mission drift, and ineffective use of resources.

Reflecting on a quarter-century of progress and impact This year marks my 25th anniversary in business, a milestone that has inspired me to reflect on my journey. Over the next year, I’ll be sharing monthly emails highlighting insights and key learnings from 25 years of advising philanthropist and foundation leaders. This is the first of

We are in the midst of the largest generational transfer of wealth in history, with $84 Trillion expected to transfer over the next several decades in the United States alone. Whether the result of inheritance, business merger or sale, or other large liquidity event, many foundations will find themselves doubling, tripling, or quadrupling in size.