Building Innovative Learning Systems in a Rapidly Scaling Family Foundation

A case study of how The Tepper Foundation is building learning systems while navigating rapid change as a responsive funder in the face of uncertainty.
The Tepper Foundation accelerated its giving from approximately $25 million to $87 million between 2021 and 2024 — and continues on a path of rapid growth. How are we building our learning systems to support our grantees, internal operations, and staff — for now and the future? This will be an engaging demonstration of how we are cultivating a culture of learning by codifying the Foundation's official set of values & principles, aligning portfolio strategies, and co-designing a roadmap for learning within our grants management systems (with an eye on AI integration). Lessons learned in fostering staff engagement and adapting to our uncertain times will be the cherry on top: what’s worked, what we’ve tested, and what’s next?