Common Questions

If your question is not answered here, please contact Membership Manager Linda Zimmerman at 802-861-2553 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

  1. Can I be a member?

    Charitable grantmaking foundations that annually give direct gifts to at least two separate entities are eligible for membership. Other organizations and individuals may also be eligible. For more information, contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (888) 212-9922.

  2. What do you mean by “small”?

    For us small means staff size not asset size. Within our membership, about half of the foundations operate with no paid employees. Of those with paid staff, nearly half employ only one person. The average asset size is just over $18,500,000, and the median asset size is around $8,000,000.

  3. Why should I be a member?

    ASF members join for many different reasons. Some find our publications or online resources the most helpful benefit, while others are more interested in affordable D&O Liability Insurance, and still others find the community created at ASF the most worthwhile part of membership. ASF offers timely, important information in a comprehensive manner, whether it be through our Educational Programs, other services or publications. To request a membership information packet, call (888) 212-9922 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

  4. How much are dues?

    Membership dues are a modest $695 – regardless of assets. Membership is on an anniversary basis, meaning your benefits are good for one year from the date of joining. All trustees and staff associated with a member foundation may take advantage of member benefits.

  5. Do you offer liability insurance?

    Yes. ASF works with USI Affinity to offer members affordable Directors and Officers Liability Insurance. Also known as Errors and Omissions insurance, it is designed to protect the personal assets of the directors and officers by covering the litigation costs and damages that arise from claims of such mismanagement.

  6. Do you offer health insurance?

    Unfortunately, we are unable to offer health insurance to members.

  7. Do my dues count toward my 5% payout?

    Yes. The dues payments to ASF are a qualifying distribution for your foundation as an administrative expense which furthers a foundation’s charitable work. Like grants, this administrative expense contributes to your 5% payout requirement.

    We suggest you account for the payment as an administrative expense rather than a grant. When a foundation makes a grant, the law requires that no benefit accrue to the donor foundation. If you choose to count ASF membership as a grant, you would then be prohibited from receiving any member benefits.

  8. Do you help with fundraising?

    No. ASF’s focus is on grantmaking, not grantseeking. We do have members who fundraise in addition to making grants, but we do not provide support for their fundraising efforts. We suggest looking to the Foundation Center or the Association of Fundraising Professionals to learn more about fundraising.

  9. Will you share my foundation’s information?

    No. ASF has a strict no-sharing rule, even among the ASF membership. Members may opt to share their contact information with other members in our Member Directory, or by posting to the Discussion List.

  10. How can I join?

    To join you can complete our online application, mail in a copy of our paper application, or contact us for an application and information packet at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or (888) 212-9922. Paper applications can be sent to:

    ASF Membership Office
    P.O. Box 247
    Winooski, VT 05404

  11. Can I see a list of members?

    We do not provide contact information for ASF members; you can look at our member list.

  12. Does ASF accept grants?

    Yes. ASF is a 501(c)(3) organization. Only about ½ of ASF costs are covered by membership dues. You can join our member donors, corporate sponsors and funders in helping ASF continue offering quality programs and publications. Contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) at (888) 212-9922.

  13. Does ASF make grants?

    No. ASF is a professional association whose members are grantmakers. ASF does not advise members on which nonprofits to support.