You're starting a new job at a foundation. What do you need to know to hit the ground running?

If a mission hasn’t already been established, it’s the first thing that needs to happen. Then, is there a vision that supports that mission. If you work for a private family foundation, like I do, it is all about what the family wants. If they are alive, work with them to create obtainable goals and a strategy to maximize results and impact. Alignment with support for the right organizations to help fulfill your orgs mission will be critical. These program partners you fund will be your best allies in creating impact. Be aware of who is doing the best job at carrying out your mission and the do all you can to help them succeed. Not just funding them but connecting them to other donors and partners to maximize results for all.

In legal terms, a foundation is a legally and economically independent special-purpose fund. Or if you prefer a more poetic interpretation: A foundation's legal form is its body, its purpose its soul and its functioning its character. So if you're keen on contributing to a foundation's mission, it's crucial to grasp its origins, goals and how you can embrace its mission to help advance its unique journey. To begin, gather relevant intel about the organization and leverage the power of LinkedIn to preestablish relationships with peers. Also consider arranging in-person or virtual meetings over coffee to discuss and learn. By taking these proactive steps, you will for sure quickly grow into your position with your new employer.

Grasp how the foundation operates within its ecosystem, the reputation it carries, and the benefits it delivers to those it serves. Additionally, during my onboarding, engaging with similar foundations and the broader philanthropy community was instrumental in gauging the foundation's standing in its environment.

CULTURE. You need to understand the origin story and how that organizational culture and values operate, it permeates everything.

Beyond mastering the terminology, I found it crucial to ensure that everyone communicates in a uniform manner, presenting a unified and coherent narrative. This involves choosing the appropriate words for various target audiences and the ecosystem, emphasizing consistency in our message.

NetWORK, NetWORK, NetWORK! Engage actively in networking and make an effort to understand the motivations of your counterparts, partners, and stakeholders for working with you, looking beyond merely financial interests. Most crucially, dedicate time to follow up and nurture meaningful partnerships from your networking efforts.

NETWORK!!! Here are some thoughts: Networking Events: Attend whatever you can! Online Networking Platforms: LinkedIn, X, and professional forums etc. Informational Interviews: Reach out! Don’t be shy! Professional Associations: Join em! Volunteer: Get on some non-profit boards. Alumni Networks: Leverage it! Maintain Relationships: Networking isn't just about making new connections! Provide Value: How can you help and reciprocate? Follow Up: Stay in touch, How can you both collaborate or just send a simple thank you!

Some organizations/leaders have a meaningful way to help you connect with colleagues or superiors, this will help you achieve your new roll goals. In case you are experiencing the opposite situation be open with your leader, ask with who you need to connect with and ask for feedback. Also, it´s important that you are willing to be part of a new culture. Involve and volunteer yourself on new project and activities, this will help you connect with other leaders and be part of a new community.

One of the best things I did to learn early in my career was attend conferences. It was there in those conferences I built my network of peers and met people and organizations in the sector who inspired me and built my curiosity. As my career progressed, I started to not only attend but present. One way for early career professionals to feel more confident building presentation skills is to do things that feel low stakes: host a dine around, volunteer to speak at a breakfast table top discussion or volunteer on the conference committee. Now, I mostly speak and network at conferences but it was those interim steps that built my confidence.

Having fun for me was always connecting to the mission. Go on site visits, connect deeper to the work by learning more about the amazing things your grantees are achieving. Go through your grants management system and read grant files, hopefully Salesforce, talk to me if it isn't! :)

Ask supervisors and coworkers: Who are (or have been) the most effective people in the organization? Find opportunities to meet them and ask them for advice. Ask those who are willing to share advice if you can meet informally for mentoring. Don’t be shy!