Philanthropy Resources

Foundations: who they are and where to find them

Council on Foundations, the professional association of community, corporate, family, and private foundations across North America (and some other places, too). Not every foundation belongs, but most do. CoF will direct you to most of the conversations foundations are having among themselves these days, but a lot of the website is limited to members.

Foundation Center, maintains the most extensive database (other than the IRS) of foundations of all types in the United States. It maintains a comprehensive search engine on this website. It expects some money for some of its services. Why not? If you’re a serious grantseeker, this is the place to start. It also still publishes the Foundation Directory, in size and density the Oxford English Dictionary of the philanthropic world: two huge volumes of more than 10,000 foundations. The Center also publishes other heavy tomes: the Corporate 500, the Corporate Giving Directory, and the Guide to U.S. Foundations, Their Trustees, Officers, and Donors, and Philanthropy News Digest. Also distributes the online free Philanthropy News Digest. Check it out.

Guidestar, is the ultimate datasource about nonprofits, but since most foundations are nonprofits, too, this is a good location to find out the nitty gritty. With free registration, you can access Form 990s, the special tax form nonprofits must file if they have revenue over $25,000. Full of good information. You can also buy more expensive access, but I’ve never needed it. You can also subscribe to a cool online newsletter.

National Center for Family Philanthropy, provides lots of handholding and an impressive range of publications to families who give. There are no shortage of issues.

News, philosophy, research, and statistics

Chronicle of Philanthropy, rightfully bills itself as the newspaper of the nonprofit world. It covers virtually all the issues (including the warts) of the philanthropic sector on a biweekly basis. We like the paper version, but the website is pretty impressive, with a searchable database, but it’s only available to print subscribers.

Community Wealth Online, offers a centralized, online resource and dialogue about community wealth. Topics such as venture philanthropy and social entrepreneurship are explored.

Conscience and Community: The Legacy of Paul Ylvisaker. Peter Lang Publishers, New York. A collection of thoughts by one of philanthropy’s key thinkers, a Bible to people in the Foundation world.

GOOD Magazine, which published its inaugural issue in September 2006, states, “Our mission is to stimulate the culture of good by creating dialogue around things that matter.”  For a glimpse at the magazine’s content go to www.goodmagazine.com.  Creators say they will donate 100% of the subscription fee to one of a dozen nonprofits.  The GOOD campaign seeks to attain 50,000 subscribers and raise $1 million for the nonprofits.

National Center for Charitable Statistics is the self-described national repository of data on the nonprofit sector in the United States. A component of the Center on Nonprofits & Philanthropy, it has worked closely with the IRS and other government agencies, the private sector, and universities to report on the activities of charitable organizations.

National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, works "to make philanthropy more responsive to people with the least wealth and opportunity, more relevant to critical public needs, and more open and accountable to all, in order to create a more just and democratic society." Includes information on advocacy, NCRP projects, and publications. NCRP has a real bias towards human services giving; in fact it can be downright contemptuous of foundations that give to anything else. That’s why much of its stuff is a fascinating read. It’s got a print newsletter, too.

Newtithing Group, is an advocacy research organization committed to increasing charitable giving, personal fulfillment, and the productivity of donations to the non-profit sector. It believes people can give more, and more creatively.

Nonprofit Sector Resource Fund, provides research and information on nonprofits, foundations, giving and volunteering, advocacy, public policy.

NonProfit Times Online, features the online version of a major news and information resources on the nonprofit sector.

Philanthropy.org, maintains an impressive database of publications, digital texts, and websites, and is one of the best locations we’ve seen for research on issues in multicultural philanthropy.

Philanthropy News Network, One of the best website addresses, also a rich and continually updated summary of current news in all sectors of philanthropy.

Philanthropy, a publication of The Philanthropy Roundtable, is a stylish on-line publication that makes you want to sit in on the meetings of the Roundtable, which happen across the country.

Promising Practices Network (PPN), website highlights programs and practices that credible research indicates are effective in improving outcomes for children, youth, and families. The information offered is organized around three major areas: Proven and Promising Programs; Research in Brief; and Strengthening Service Delivery.

Giving wisely: conducting your due diligence

With an unprecedented $10 trillion expected to be passed between generations in the next 20 years, the Inheritance Project (www.inheritance-project.com ) explores the emotional and social impact of inherited wealth. We also like the related book Robin Hood was Right: A Guide to Giving Your Money for Social Change, by Chuck Collins et al (W.W. Norton & Co., 2000)

American Institute of Philanthropy (www.charitywatch.org ) functions as a nonprofit charity watchdog and information service to maximize the effectiveness of every dollar given to charity. The site provides donors with an as-yet limited directory to nationwide charitable organizations, with some very basic information on giving carefully.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance, The BBB Wise Giving Alliance was formed in 2001 with the merger of the National Charities Information Bureau and the Council of Better Business Bureaus Foundation and its Philanthropic Advisory Service.

Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org ), that venerable institution that monitors complaints about business practices, also has a section devoted to philanthropy.

Grantcraft (www.grantcraft.org)
A project of the Ford Foundation, which used to be the country’s largest foundation (before Bill & Melinda Gates, that is), GrantCraft is designed to promote discussion about strategic and tactical lessons in philanthropy. It offers a range of publications and videos, both those developed by Ford Foundation, as well as by other funders and grantees.

GuideStar: The Donor’s Guide to the Charitable Universe (www.guidestar.org)is a searchable database of extensive financial information on most of the nation’s nonprofit organizations. Find a specific charity by name, or by subject, state, zipcode, or other criteria. Determine what it spends on fundraising and administration, who sits on its board of directors, etc., by looking at Form 990s (see About Foundations).

‘Incredible philanthropy blogs’

It seems to be secular list, and I recognize many of the blogs. But if you find your spiritual side being particularly stimulated, note that these 100 ‘incredible philanthropy blogs’ were compiled by the good folks from www.bible-college.net/. Here are the first 11 “general philanthropy” blogs they recommend:

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Associations of grantmakers: where they like to hang out

Council on Foundations, is the 50+-year-old membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. See also About Foundations.

Funding Exchange, is comprised of 16 regional ‘social change’ funders, like the groundbreaking Haymarket People’s Fund in Boston, for example. These organizations are expert at finding the grassroots organizations that are either under or are never on the radar screen of ‘establishment’ foundations. FEX was responsible for the book Robin Hood was Right: A Guide to Giving Your Money for Social Change, by Chuck Collins et al (W.W. Norton & Co., 2000). Look for a credit to Rick for his early involvement.

Grantmakers in the Arts, is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of private foundations, family foundations, community foundations, corporate foundations, corporate giving programs, and nonprofit organizations that make arts grants. GIA welcomes public sector grantmakers as affiliate members. More than 850 individuals - both trustee and staff - participate in GIA, representing more than 250 organizations.

Grantmakers In Health, is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to helping foundations and corporate giving programs improve the nation's health. Its mission is to foster communication and collaboration among grantmakers and others, and to help strengthen the grantmaking community's knowledge, skills, and effectiveness. Formally launched in 1982, GIH is known today as the professional home for health grantmakers, and a resource for grantmakers and others seeking expertise and information on the field of health philanthropy.

Hispanics in Philanthropy’s, mission is to serve as a catalyst to increase resources for the Latino and Latin American civil sector, as well as to increase Latino participation and leadership throughout philanthropy. Their work is designed to contribute to the greater effectiveness of philanthropy and to greater equity and diversity. Their vision of the future reflects the organization’s diverse origins and projects a model of philanthropy that is congruent with the increasingly diverse global community in which we live.

Independent Sector, is a membership organization that brings together foundations, nonprofit groups, and corporate giving programs to support philanthropy, volunteering and citizen action. IS has turned out to be a lobbying powerhouse, releasing multiple reports and recommendations to Congressional hearings on foundations and the nonprofit sector.

National Network of Grantmakers, is committed to increasing resources, financial and otherwise, to organizations working for social change. Its members are individual donors, foundation staff, board, and grantmaking committee members. Founded in 1980, NNG provides services to both funders and practitioners or grantseekers.

Neighborhood Funders Group, is a national network of foundations and philanthropic organizations. Its members support community-based efforts that improve economic and social conditions in low-income communities. NFG provides information, learning opportunities, critical thinking and other professional development activities to its members.

Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, Most regions of the country have formal or informal associations of the grantmaking organizations in their midst. They huddle together to make a deeper impact on their communities or just to share information. Some employ universal grant applications to make it easier for nonprofits. This site directs you to the RAG (what a horrible name) in your area.

United Way of America, Need we say more?

Women & Philanthropy, brings together women, men, and grantmakers "dedicated to achieving equity for women and girls." A good collection of news and research papers.

Women’s Funding Network, is an international association of public and private women’s foundations, federations, funds in community foundations, individual donors and supporting institutions, with an impressive set of links to their allies. An increasing number of communities (city or state-based) have ‘women’s funds’ now.

Coursework in philanthropy: get a degree in giving!

City University of New York: Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society, The Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, Room 5401, New York 10016-4309 (www.philanthropy.org)

Duke University: Center for the Study of Philanthropy and Voluntarism, Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy, Duke University, P.O. Box 90249, Durham, NC 27708-0249

Grand Valley State University: Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, 25 Commerce Ave., SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Harvard University: Hauser Center for Nonprofit Institutions, John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Indiana University/Purdue University: Center on Philanthropy, 550 West North Street, Suite 301, Indianapolis, IN 46202. In addition to information about the school, sells essays on general issues in philanthropy

New York University School of Law: Program on Philanthropy & Law, 110 West 3rd Street, 2nd floor, New York 10012

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota: Master of Arts, Philanthropy & Development, 700 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN 55987

For children/young people

Getting people involved in philanthropy at a younger age, with a focus on teaching children and young people to live responsibly with wealth, has become a hot issue, especially among adults who were not raised with wealth themselves. Following are possible resources on the topic, including some classics:

Books

Abiyoyo, by Pete Seeger (Macmillan, 1986)
The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein (Harpercollins Children’s Books, 1970)
Kids’ Random Acts of Kindness, by Dawna Markova (Canari Press, 1994)
The Legend of Blue Bonnet, by Tomie de Paola (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1981)
The Lion and the Mouse; several versions available of this Aesop's fable
Miss Rumphius, by Barbara Cooney (Scholastic, 1985)
The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister (North-South Books, 1992)
Stone Soup; several illustrated versions available
Swimmy, by Leo Lionni (Scholastic, 1963)
Thidwick: The Big-Hearted Moose, by Dr. Seuss (Random House, 1948)

Sites

Community Partnerships with Youth (www.cpyinc.org)

Inheritance Project (www.inheritance-project.com)

Kids Care Clubs (www.kidscare.org)

National Center for Family Philanthropy (www.ncfp.org)

Points of Light Foundation (www.pointsoflight.org)

Youth on Board (www.youthonboard.org)

Youth in Philanthropy (fdncenter.org/focus/youth/kids_teens)

Jobs in philanthropy & the nonprofit sector

Chronicle of Philanthropy (www.philanthropy.com/jobs.dir/jobsmain.htm). I hope your local library keeps the print edition of this Variety-like publication of all things philanthropic. Great want ad section, but jobs are mostly for fundraisers. See About Giving and Getting.

Council on Foundations (www.cof.org/index.cfm). See About Foundations.

Foundation Center (www.fdncenter.org/pnd/jobs). See About Foundations.

Idealist (www.idealist.org).

Nonprofit Career Network (www.nonprofitcareer.com).