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The Good Nation Foundation Inc (Goodnation)

Annual Giving
$3.5M
Grant Range
$9K - $0.4M
Success Rate
20%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.5M in grants (2023)
  • Total Revenue: $21.8M (2024)
  • Success Rate: 20% of nonprofits on platform receive funding
  • Average Gift Size: $7,000
  • Grant Range: $8,500 - $375,000 (based on 2023 data)
  • Geographic Focus: National, with donor base primarily in/around New York City
  • Fiscal Sponsorship Scale: 1.5%-9.5% sliding fee

Contact Details

Website: https://www.goodnationfoundation.org/ | https://www.goodnation.io/

Email:

Phone: 646-907-8269

Location: New York, NY

Overview

Founded in 2017 by Rob Hansen, The Good Nation Foundation Inc (also known as Goodnation) is a rapidly growing public foundation that has revolutionized how it connects donors with high-performing nonprofits. The organization operates through a unique hybrid structure consisting of the 501(c)(3) Goodnation Foundation, the for-profit Goodnation Philanthropy Advisors, and the 501(c)(4) Goodnation Action. Since inception, Goodnation has overseen over $66 million in donations to support 35+ programs focused on improving communities. The foundation earned a 98% score and Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator in recognition of its effective operations. Goodnation leverages the due diligence of major professional foundations to curate and vet nonprofits across 35+ cause areas, making giving more accessible and impactful for individual donors. The organization has grown from $445,061 in revenue in 2017 to $21.8 million in 2024, with net assets reaching $6.8 million.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Goodnation operates through two primary funding mechanisms:

Donor Platform for Individual Giving

  • Average gift size: $7,000
  • Donors typically support 5-10 nonprofits
  • Most donors renew gifts annually
  • Application currently closed to new nonprofits

Fiscal Sponsorship Program

  • Annual fundraising goal minimum: $200,000
  • Sliding scale fees: 1.5%-9.5% of revenue
  • Model A (501c3) and Model C (501c4) available
  • Rolling application basis

Direct Grantmaking

  • Made 88 grants in 2023 totaling $3.5M
  • Made 51 grants in 2022
  • Made 70 grants in 2021
  • Grant range: $8,500 - $375,000 (based on 2023 recipients)

Priority Areas

Goodnation supports nonprofits across 35+ cause areas, including:

  • Civic Engagement & Democracy: Voter education, civic participation
  • Criminal Justice Reform: Justice system transformation
  • Education: Access and quality improvements
  • Economic Opportunity: Poverty reduction, workforce development
  • Racial Justice: Equity and systemic change
  • LGBTQ+ Rights: Advocacy and support
  • Environment: Environmental protection and climate action
  • Health: Health access and outcomes
  • Homelessness: Housing and shelter services
  • Hunger: Food security
  • Women and Girls: Gender equity
  • Youth Development: Programs for young people
  • Arts: Arts access and cultural programming
  • COVID-19 Response: Pandemic-related support

The foundation emphasizes a dual approach through its "Smartfunds" model that balances immediate service provision with long-term systemic change initiatives.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly stated, Goodnation's fiscal sponsorship program excludes:

  • For-profit ventures
  • Initiatives without $200,000+ annual fundraising capacity
  • Programs outside their 35+ cause areas
  • Organizations lacking existing foundation support (for donor platform)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Goodnation Foundation Board:

  • Chelsea Jia (Board Chair), Doola - Background in equity capital markets and trading with Deutsche Bank and Wellington Management Company; BA cum laude from Dartmouth College
  • Kirk Parks (Treasurer)
  • Sherah Alaimo
  • Laura Henson - CEO/Founder, Branding & Communications Expert
  • Chirag Shah

Goodnation Action Board (501c4):

  • Tom Richard, Esq. (Board Chair), Dignity Fund - Co-founder and former Managing Partner of RTGR Law; studied leadership and governance at Harvard University
  • Brandon Holley
  • Eric Pollack
  • Darren Stevenson

Leadership Team

  • Rob Hansen - Founder and President: Over 20 years of experience in philanthropy, previously spent 5 years at Robin Hood Foundation, MBA from HEC Montréal, BA in English Literature from McGill University
  • Meghan Zichelli - Chief Operating Officer
  • Emily Ball - Senior Philanthropy Advisor
  • Corry McKee - Senior Fiscal Sponsor Program Manager
  • KJ Shepherd - Senior Fiscal Sponsor Program Manager
  • Rya Greene - Fiscal Sponsor Program Manager
  • Surabhi Prabhu - Finance Operations Manager
  • Amber Brown - HR Coordinator

Notable Quote from Rob Hansen: "Goodnation, through its Prosperity Project, envisions the end of poverty in America, with a plan that relies on linking together institutional and individual donors that care about a single place in a national coalition to change major federal policies like the Child Tax Credit."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Goodnation operates three distinct pathways for organizations, each with different application processes:

1. Donor Platform (Impact Recommendations) - CURRENTLY CLOSED

Goodnation is not currently accepting new applications for their donor platform that connects nonprofits with individual donors.

When open, the process includes:

  • Submit short application about programs, finances, and foundation support
  • Goodnation reviews and evaluates application
  • If accepted, complete profile page with images, impact statements, and unique differentiators
  • Wait for donor interest notifications

Eligibility:

  • Must fall under one of 35+ cause areas
  • Have active foundation grant of $10,000+ from a professional foundation
  • Demonstrate strong financial health
  • Have compliant governance structure

Important Note: Up to 5% of each gift goes to Goodnation Foundation as an administrative fee

2. Fiscal Sponsorship Program - OPEN ON ROLLING BASIS

Process:

  1. Review eligibility requirements and cost structure
  2. Submit online application
  3. Exploratory call if initial fit appears strong
  4. Sign agreement if accepted
  5. Kick-off call with assigned Program Manager

Eligibility:

  • Initiative aligned with Goodnation's mission
  • 24-month budget with annual fundraising goal of at least $200,000
  • Known network of existing or potential committed donors
  • Bandwidth to develop and implement strategic fundraising plan
  • Commitment to use funds for charitable work (not profit-seeking)

3. Direct Grants - NO PUBLIC APPLICATION PROCESS

Goodnation Foundation makes direct grants (88 grants totaling $3.5M in 2023), but these grants are made through internal processes, not through public application. Grant recipients in 2023 included established organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation ($8,500), Brennan Center for Justice ($50,000), Movement Voter Project ($25,000), and New Venture Fund projects ($375,000).

Decision Timeline

Fiscal Sponsorship:

  • Rolling basis applications
  • Timeline from application to decision not publicly specified
  • Exploratory call scheduled if initial application shows strong fit

Donor Platform:

  • Review timeline not publicly specified when applications are open
  • Donors can take up to 10 days to process gifts through donor-advised funds
  • Most donors renew gifts annually

Success Rates

  • Donor Platform: About 20% of nonprofits on Goodnation's platform receive funding
  • Number of Awards: 88 grants made in 2023, 51 in 2022, 70 in 2021

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented for either the donor platform or fiscal sponsorship program. Organizations should contact nonprofits@goodnation.io for guidance on reapplication.

Application Success Factors

For Donor Platform Applicants:

Foundation Grant Requirement is Critical: Goodnation's vetting strategy leverages the fact that "the top 10 foundations by size in the US spend over $1B annually on research, due diligence and ongoing monitoring of nonprofit grantees." Each nonprofit must have at least one active grant of $10,000+ from a professional foundation, demonstrating it has passed rigorous review.

Financial Health Scoring: Goodnation evaluates nonprofits using data from professional foundations, publicly filed 990s, and databases, scoring organizations on:

  • Program expense and revenue growth
  • Budget surplus
  • Assets to liabilities ratio
  • Liquidity

Governance Standards:

  • Board composition and compliance
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities

Impact Communication: Organizations must demonstrate they can articulate their mission, leadership approach, and measurable impact effectively to prospective donors.

For Fiscal Sponsorship Applicants:

Demonstrate Fundraising Capacity: The $200,000 minimum annual fundraising goal is firm. Applicants need to show both:

  • Existing donor network
  • Strategic plan to reach fundraising targets

Alignment with Mission: Programs should clearly connect to Goodnation's focus on "addressing the root causes of societal problems in order to meet urgent needs and create lasting impact."

Operational Readiness:

  • Ability to track and share expenses regularly
  • Bandwidth to manage a strategic fundraising plan
  • Understanding of 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) compliance requirements

Recent Grant Examples (2023):

Organizations that received funding represent diverse causes and scales:

  • American Civil Liberties Union Foundation: $8,500 (civil liberties)
  • Brennan Center for Justice: $50,000 (democracy/voting rights)
  • Movement Voter Project: $25,000 (civic engagement)
  • National Network of Abortion Funds: $64,000 (reproductive justice)
  • New Venture Fund projects: $375,000 (various initiatives including Civic Engagement Fund, America Votes in Wisconsin, Voter Justice Project)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Foundation support is prerequisite: For the donor platform, you must already have an active grant of $10,000+ from a professional foundation before Goodnation will consider your application
  • No traditional grant application: Goodnation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals for their direct grantmaking; grants appear to go to established organizations and fiscally sponsored programs
  • Two distinct pathways: Organizations can pursue either the donor platform (currently closed) or fiscal sponsorship (minimum $200,000 budget) - these serve different organizational needs
  • Platform temporarily closed: The nonprofit donor platform is not accepting new applications, so timing matters - check back periodically if interested
  • Success rate is modest: Only 20% of nonprofits on the platform receive funding, making the foundation grant requirement and strong profile essential
  • Focus on vetting efficiency: Goodnation's model deliberately leverages due diligence already performed by major foundations, so demonstrating you've passed rigorous external evaluation is key
  • Fiscal sponsorship is accessible: If your initiative lacks 501(c)(3) status but has $200,000+ fundraising capacity, fiscal sponsorship offers a viable pathway to tax-exempt status and infrastructure support

References

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