Strategic Philanthropy for Grantmakers
Give with clarity. Fund with confidence.
We help foundations, companies, and wealth holders design focused, effective
giving strategie so your dollars actually do what you intend them to do.
Who we work with
Private foundations, corporate giving/CSR teams, DAF donors, and families who:
Want their giving to be more strategic and focused
Are tired of scattered grants with unclear results
Need better ways to vet nonprofits and measure impact
Don’t have capacity for another full-time staff member - but do need real expertise
What We Help You Do
Build a Clear Giving Strategy
Turn “we fund a bit of everything” into a focused plan.
Define your focus areas and criteria
Clarify what you will and won’t fund
Map a simple 12–24 month giving roadmap
Vet and Select the Right Nonprofit Partners
Move beyond logos and polished proposals.
Develop practical vetting criteria and tools
Review prospective grantees and programs
Identify risk, gaps, and fit with your priorities
Design Grants That Actually Work
Grants that are realistic, flexible, and aligned with outcomes.
Structure grants (multi-year, operating vs program, capacity)
Align expectations with what nonprofits can deliver
Right-size reporting and learning requirements
Make Impact Easier to See and Explain
You don’t need 20 metrics, you need the right few.
Identify 3–5 core indicators that matter
Create simple impact briefs and dashboards
Translate results into a language your board and stakeholders will understand
Why Keystone?
You get a partner who:
Has sat on the nonprofit side and understands what’s realistic
Knows how to translate your intentions into programs that actually work
Brings clear thinking, honest feedback, and practical tools, not jargon
How We Can Work Together
Strategy Intensive (1–2 months)
A focused engagement to clarify your giving strategy, vetting approach, and near-term priorities.
Ongoing Advisory
Retainer support to review grants, refine processes, and act as a thought partner to your team.
Project-Based Support
Help with a specific portfolio, RFP, initiative, or geographic/issue-area expansion.
