Running a charitable foundation requires expertise across multiple disciplines—from legal compliance and financial management to strategic grantmaking and board governance. At Julian & Varue Foundation, we understand that your passion lies in creating positive change, not navigating complex administrative requirements. Our full-service foundation management solutions allow you to focus on your mission while we handle the operational complexities that ensure your foundation's long-term success and impact.
With decades of combined experience in philanthropic management, our team serves as an extension of your foundation, providing the infrastructure, expertise, and support needed to maximize your charitable impact. We work with private foundations, family foundations, corporate giving programs, and educational trusts, tailoring our services to meet your unique needs and objectives.
Governance Support & Board Development
Effective governance is the foundation of every successful charitable organization. Our governance support services ensure your board operates efficiently, makes informed decisions, and maintains the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility. We provide comprehensive support that strengthens your foundation's leadership and decision-making capabilities.
Board Meeting Facilitation
We coordinate all aspects of board meetings, from agenda development and materials preparation to minute-taking and follow-up action tracking. Our experienced facilitators ensure meetings are productive, focused, and compliant with all governance requirements.
Policy Development & Review
We help develop and maintain essential foundation policies including conflict of interest, grantmaking guidelines, investment policies, and whistleblower protections. Regular policy reviews ensure your foundation stays current with best practices and regulatory changes.
Our governance experts provide board training on fiduciary duties, legal responsibilities, and effective oversight practices. We assist with board recruitment and succession planning, helping you build a diverse, engaged board that brings the skills and perspectives needed to advance your mission. Through strategic planning facilitation, we guide your board through the process of setting long-term goals, evaluating impact, and adapting to changing philanthropic landscapes.
Comprehensive Grant Administration
Effective grantmaking requires meticulous attention to detail, thorough due diligence, and ongoing monitoring. Our grant administration services streamline the entire grantmaking process, from initial inquiry through final reporting, ensuring every grant achieves maximum impact while maintaining full compliance with IRS regulations and foundation policies.
We maintain detailed grant records and provide comprehensive reporting on grantmaking activities, outcomes, and impact. Our team conducts site visits when appropriate, maintains ongoing communication with grantees, and provides technical assistance to help funded organizations succeed. We also manage your foundation's online grant portal, making it easy for applicants to submit proposals and for your board to review and approve grants efficiently.
Through strategic grantmaking analysis, we help you evaluate the effectiveness of your funding strategies, identify emerging needs in your focus areas, and make data-driven decisions about future grantmaking priorities. Our impact assessment services measure the outcomes of your grants, providing valuable insights that inform continuous improvement and demonstrate your foundation's effectiveness to stakeholders.
Compliance Oversight & Regulatory Expertise
Navigating the complex regulatory landscape of private foundations requires specialized knowledge and constant vigilance. Our compliance team ensures your foundation meets all federal and state requirements, avoiding costly penalties and maintaining your tax-exempt status.
Form 990-PF Preparation
Complete preparation and filing of annual information returns, ensuring accuracy and timely submission to the IRS and state authorities.
Excise Tax Management
Calculation and payment of excise taxes on net investment income, with strategies to minimize tax liability through qualifying distributions.
Distribution Requirements
Monitoring and tracking of minimum distribution requirements, ensuring your foundation meets the 5% payout obligation annually.
Self-Dealing Prevention
Comprehensive monitoring and documentation to prevent prohibited transactions between the foundation and disqualified persons.
Investment Compliance
Review of investment activities to ensure compliance with jeopardizing investment rules and excess business holdings limitations.
State Registration
Management of charitable solicitation registrations and annual filings in all required states where your foundation operates.
Our compliance team stays current with all regulatory changes affecting private foundations, proactively updating your policies and procedures to maintain full compliance. We provide regular compliance training for board members and staff, ensuring everyone understands their responsibilities and the foundation's obligations. When questions arise, we work directly with your legal and tax advisors to resolve complex compliance issues and implement appropriate solutions.
Financial Management & Reporting
Sound financial management is essential for foundation sustainability and accountability. Our comprehensive financial services provide the transparency, accuracy, and strategic insights needed to make informed decisions about your foundation's resources and ensure responsible stewardship of charitable assets.
We maintain complete financial records using industry-standard accounting software, providing real-time access to financial information through secure online portals. Our team handles all aspects of accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, and investment tracking, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
Monthly Financial Statements
Comprehensive monthly reports including balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and detailed grant activity summaries with variance analysis and budget comparisons.
Budget Development & Monitoring
Annual budget preparation with board input, ongoing monitoring of actual versus budgeted expenses, and quarterly forecasting to support strategic financial planning and resource allocation.
Investment Coordination
Liaison with investment advisors, reconciliation of investment accounts, performance reporting, and coordination of investment policy implementation and rebalancing activities.
Audit Support
Complete preparation and coordination for annual financial audits, including documentation gathering, auditor communication, and implementation of audit recommendations for continuous improvement.
Operational Excellence & Infrastructure
Beyond governance, grantmaking, and compliance, successful foundations require robust operational infrastructure and efficient day-to-day management. Our operational support services provide the systems, processes, and expertise that enable your foundation to function smoothly and professionally.
Technology & Systems Management
We implement and manage comprehensive technology solutions tailored to your foundation's needs. Our grant management systems streamline the entire grantmaking process, from application submission through impact reporting. We provide secure document management, ensuring all foundation records are organized, accessible, and properly archived.
Our technology infrastructure includes secure email systems, cloud-based collaboration tools, and board portals that facilitate efficient communication and decision-making. We handle all technical support and system maintenance, ensuring your foundation's technology remains current, secure, and reliable.
Communications
Professional correspondence, stakeholder communications, and public relations support
HR Administration
Staff recruitment, benefits administration, payroll processing, and personnel policy management
Office Management
Facilities coordination, vendor management, insurance administration, and general office operations
Risk Management
Insurance coverage review, liability assessment, and implementation of risk mitigation strategies
We provide comprehensive administrative support including meeting coordination, travel arrangements, and document preparation. Our team manages vendor relationships, negotiates contracts, and ensures your foundation receives quality services at competitive prices. We also coordinate with your legal counsel, accountants, and investment advisors, serving as a central point of contact for all professional service providers.
Strategic Planning & Impact Assessment
Effective philanthropy requires clear vision, strategic thinking, and ongoing evaluation. We facilitate comprehensive strategic planning processes that help your foundation define its mission, set meaningful goals, and develop actionable strategies for achieving maximum impact in your focus areas.
Our strategic planning services include environmental scanning to identify emerging needs and opportunities, stakeholder engagement to gather diverse perspectives, and facilitation of board retreats and planning sessions. We help you develop clear theories of change, establish measurable objectives, and create implementation plans with defined timelines and responsibilities.
Through rigorous impact assessment and continuous learning, we help foundations understand what works, adapt strategies based on evidence, and communicate their achievements to stakeholders effectively.
Why Choose Julian & Varue Foundation
Our comprehensive approach to foundation management combines deep expertise, proven systems, and personalized service to help your foundation achieve its full potential.
Specialized Expertise
Our team brings decades of experience in foundation management, nonprofit law, accounting, and philanthropic strategy, ensuring expert guidance in every aspect of your operations.
Proven Systems
We utilize industry-leading technology platforms and best-practice processes refined through years of managing diverse foundations, ensuring efficiency and reliability.
Personalized Service
We tailor our services to your foundation's unique needs, culture, and goals, providing responsive support and building lasting partnerships based on trust and shared values.
Impact Focus
Everything we do is designed to maximize your foundation's charitable impact, from strategic grantmaking to operational efficiency and stakeholder engagement.
Risk Mitigation
Our comprehensive compliance oversight and risk management protocols protect your foundation from regulatory issues, financial irregularities, and reputational risks.
Continuous Innovation
We stay current with emerging trends in philanthropy, technology, and nonprofit management, bringing innovative solutions and fresh perspectives to your foundation.
Focus on Your Mission, We'll Handle the Rest
Managing a charitable foundation is complex, time-consuming work that requires specialized expertise across multiple disciplines. By partnering with Julian & Varue Foundation for full-service foundation management, you gain access to a complete team of professionals dedicated to your success—without the overhead of hiring full-time staff or the burden of managing day-to-day operations.
Our comprehensive services free you to focus on what matters most: identifying critical needs, building relationships with grantees and community partners, and making strategic decisions about how to deploy your charitable resources for maximum impact. We handle the administrative complexities, regulatory requirements, and operational details that ensure your foundation runs smoothly and effectively.
Whether you're establishing a new foundation, transitioning from self-management, or seeking to enhance your current operations, our full-service management solutions provide the infrastructure, expertise, and support needed to achieve your philanthropic vision. We become an extension of your foundation, working alongside your board and stakeholders to build a sustainable, high-performing organization that creates lasting positive change in the communities you serve.
