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About

The Association of Small Foundations (ASF) is a membership organization for donors, trustees, employees and consultants of foundations that have few or no staff.

What Is Small?

At ASF small relates to staff size, not to assets. Our members range in assets from under $1 million to more than $50 million. Most of our member foundations operate with fewer than two paid staff, and many with volunteers alone.

The United States is home to over 60,000 small-staffed foundations. These small foundations account for nearly half of the country’s total foundation grant dollars*, and provide essential financial support in communities across the country.

Mission

ASF enhances the power of philanthropy by providing donors, trustees, and professionals with peer learning opportunities, resources, and a collective voice in and beyond the philanthropic community.

History

In 1995, trustees and staff from small foundations met together at a conference under a sign reading “Are you alone with millions?” Though small foundations were doing the same things as large foundations, they were doing it all by themselves.

From this initial gathering, the Association of Small Foundations was formed as a 501(c)(3) charity, and foundations with few or no staff found a home. A 501(c)(3) organization, ASF is devoted to serving its nearly 3,000 members in all 50 states. Members enjoy a friendly culture, and resources geared specially to their needs as a foundation with few or no staff.

Thanks to ASF member the Wasie Foundation and their CEO Gregg Sjoquist, our headquarters are based in Washington, DC, at The Wasie Center for Philanthropy. Visit us!