Upsource
A seamless way to elevate your philanthropy
You didn’t start a foundation to push paperwork—you did it to change lives. So let’s get you back to the why of your philanthropy, rather than the how. Partner with MCF and reclaim your time, clarity, and purpose. Trust our experienced team to handle every operational detail—from complex gift acceptance to international grantmaking, and everything in between—so that you can focus on creating lasting impact
All these capabilities, and more, are available to other foundations and grantmaking organizations to leverage.
When you Upsource™ your foundation to MCF, you’re not just outsourcing operations — you’re aligning with one of the nation’s most experienced and respected philanthropic partners.
Backed by four decades of expertise, we bring an operational infrastructure built for accuracy, speed, and efficiency. We’re able to accept virtually any gift—complex assets, real estate, personal property, even cryptocurrency. With sophisticated
processes built by our experienced grants team, we ensure that due diligence, IRS compliance, grant execution, and tracking run seamlessly. Our systems deliver detailed financial and grantmaking reports that keep you fully informed and in control.
At MCF, our dedication extends beyond seamless operations to elevating you and your mission through strategic partnership.
From day one, you’re paired with a dedicated advisor who becomes an extension of your team — someone who listens deeply and understands your goals, so you’ll never face a decision alone. We can facilitate conversations with your board, offer strategic counsel and thought partnership, help refine your giving plans or fundraising strategies, and provide thoughtful insight rooted in decades of experience. You’ll also gain access to our local and national network of resources.
Your philanthropic vision deserves more than support — it deserves the momentum that comes from having an expert in your corner at every moment.
Grantmaking services:
- Assigned Senior Philanthropic Advisor to provide advisory, strategy + implementation services
- Fundraising capabilities
- Quarterly meetings
- Giving plan design
- Client’s proxy in communications and negotiations with grantees
- Requests for + review of grant proposals
- Grantee due diligence
- Grant processing — domestic grants are typically processed within 5-7 business days
- Grant monitoring
- Grant evaluation
- International grantmaking, including due diligence
- Custom research
- Site visits on behalf of or with client
Financial, legal & wealth management services:
- Complex gift acceptance
- IRS gift + grant compliance
- Quarterly fund statements
- Legal counsel access
- Consultant access on specialty topics
Fund management services:
- New fund onboarding
- 24x7, secure online account management via MCF’s proprietary Giving Center
- Grant history management
- Donor mail management
"Working with MCF allows our donors and staff to focus on the mission in a way I have not experienced before. I’m surprised more funders aren’t taking advantage of this possibility."
Ralph Lewin
Executive Director, Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund
Looking for more bite-sized insights? Explore the full Explainer Video Series for quick, 90-second videos on MCF, donor-advised funds, and more.
