The challenge is to figure out how to make those solutions affordable, sustainable, replicable, and figure out how to get them to a scale that fulfills their organization's mission. Rather than being avoided, risk is managed. Foundations avoid risk because they are not rewarded one way or the other for taking risk. Accordingly, foundations compromise the likelihood of measurable return. They are involved in deal flow, CEO selection, strategic planning, etc.
Foundations tend to keep their distance in their relationship with grantees.
In addition, they tend to be totally uninvolved in operations. They will also help with subsequent funding needs. Foundations fund a small part of each deal. They tend to undercapitalize and seldom help with subsequent funding needs. Foundations seldom stay involved for more than two or three years.