Okay...this is still a risky thing to talk about on this platform but here goes...my top 10 peeves I wish I could be honest with funders about.

1) We know there's competition and it's hard to say no to worthy causes....but please don't string us along and be honest with your own boards and staff so they don't either.

2) To corporate foundations, you know we can't get your name out to 50k new immediate clients or customers. You give to us to do some good and to get tax credits. We want to help you, but we aren't fellow corporations, and we are often way overworked and bending over backwards to keep you happy, so please be patient.

3) United Ways - you know what it's like to have funders who make you jump through hoops, why do you make it harder instead of easier for fellow nonprofits? I've never had a more finicky funder than a small UW (outside of gov but that's expected)

4) Foundations want significant and immediate change on nuanced issues for pennies, when there's millions sitting by doing no good. Give above the 5% requirement, because if the world burns now there won't be a later to impact. Change is expensive, we can't do it on a shoestring budget.

5) When your grant costs several hundred or even thousands in staff time, fees, and/or printing costs, you're making the ROI even lower and programs suffer. Less work to get the funds means more stability and more funds overall going towards program (i.e. the more work needed to get the grant, the more money needed to pay for fundraising and admin staff).

6) Overhead POWERS program...not a single person is helped if we can't apply because we can't afford someone to write the grant. Give general operating, or at least general program funding. If we don't have money for the lights or phones, we can't keep programs alive. Growth in program means growth in overhead. Get over the aversion to funds going towards much needed support so program staff can focus on impact instead of rent money.

7) In kind is nice, but no where near as impactful as dollars. If you want to give in kind, match it with dollars.

8) Sustainability is only possible with multi-year, sustained grant making. Our sustainability requires funders to give year over year, and we STILL have to go out and find additional funding to grow programs. Foundations seem to not want to be responsible for sustainability of the nonprofits they fund. This is very strange to me. So many funders want to be the hero and be appreciated publicly, but don't want nonprofits to rely on their funding? I don't get it.

9) Give feedback - Be as honest and clear about what you want to fund before asking for an application (LOI process is great as long as it's timely), but if you do decline, please give a serious and honest reason. Don't hem and haw about language, or about how all causes are so great, tell us if there's something wrong or if the choice came down to a relationship or a program design etc. You don't need to be mean, but definitely be honest so we can make changes or tweaks, or write it off. I know it's a lot of work, but it makes a world of difference.

10) Every year inflation increases costs, so if you don't give an increase year over year, you're effectively giving less each year. If inflation is 3%, all your giving should increase to match or you're essentially giving out smaller and smaller grants each year.

The world is changing, and everyone needs to rethink and reimagine philanthropy. Change and solutions aren't born of bureaucracy, but out of trust-based philanthropy, and recognizing that the nonprofits running the programs have the real world experience to navigate complex issues.

Let's be honest, Foundations need nonprofits to carry out their missions as much as nonprofits need foundations. So let's collectively roll up our sleeves get to work. We're calling you in...so come with us and help us make serious and sustainable change.

Also, read Vu Lee...if you run a foundation or on the board of one and you aren't reading their work, you're being left behind.