About Clear Foundation Management

Philanthropy is personal. Its management should be, too.

Clear Foundation Management was created to help families experience the meaningful parts of philanthropy without becoming overwhelmed by the administrative ones.

We believe private foundations work best when families are able to focus on the questions that matter: What do we care about? Where can we make a difference? What values do we want to carry forward? What are we learning from the communities and organizations we support?

Our role is to create the structure that makes those conversations possible.

We combine hands-on foundation management with philanthropic advising, providing clients with both the operational support necessary to run a foundation and the perspective needed to strengthen their giving over time.

Our approach is intentionally personal. We get to know the families we serve, understand their histories and dynamics, build relationships with their nonprofit partners, and adapt our work to their needs. We don't believe foundations should have to conform to a predetermined model of philanthropy.

Instead, we help each family build a foundation that reflects who they are.

Behind the scenes, we bring organization, responsiveness, sound governance, strong processes, and careful follow-through. Around the board table, we bring perspective, curiosity, and a steady hand.

The result is philanthropy that feels clearer, more manageable, and more meaningful.

Our Leadership

Experienced guidance. Personal partnership.

Clear Foundation Management is led by Renee Sovis, a philanthropic advisor and foundation executive with extensive experience helping private and family foundations translate their values into effective grantmaking.

Renee specializes in the day-to-day management of private foundations, working closely with trustees and multiple generations of families on grantmaking, governance, philanthropic strategy, nonprofit due diligence, board engagement, and foundation operations.

She holds a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in philanthropy and nonprofits and is a 21/64 Certified Advisor, with specialized training in multigenerational family philanthropy. Her professional and community leadership has also included service within Michigan's philanthropic sector and hands-on nonprofit board leadership.

Renee is known for an approach that is both highly organized and deeply relational. She believes strong philanthropy requires rigorous processes behind the scenes—but that the experience around the board table should remain human.

Through Clear Foundation Management, she brings those two ideas together: professional foundation management paired with the personal attention of a trusted advisor.

Our Team