100-year-old foundation spends down — moving millions to BIPOC-led non-profits

The Edward W. Hazen Foundation was featured on Future of Good, a digital media outlet that spotlights stories, innovation, and trends in the social good sector. The story focuses on Hazen’s spend down decision, strategy, and process.

When the Hazen Foundation decided to put ourselves out of business, we proudly went all in — moving all our assets into the hands of grassroots organizers and communities of color. To align our efforts with the work of our grantees, we collaborated with them to design a spend down strategy defined by their insights and long-term vision.

Our spend down prioritized supporting the sustainability of our nonprofit partners and strengthening their ability to adapt and pivot when emergencies arise. The support we provided included funding to access training, consulting, and communications support; improve staff compensation; and create HR policies that reflect organizational values. We also provided grants for activities that went beyond an organization’s regular scope of work such as mutual aid, rapid response during a crisis, and expanded community outreach when an unexpected opportunity for action occurred.

“These initiatives helped strengthen the groups’ organizing work by enabling them to build deeper relationships with partners,” shared our President Lori Bezahler in conversation with journalist Gabe Oatley.

Read about their broader conversation on spend downs in philanthropy on Future of Good.