Resources
Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates: 2004 Preview (PDF,
19 pages)
(The Foundation Center, April 2005)
Giving by the nation’s more than 66,000 grantmaking foundations
increased to a new high of $32.4 billion in 2004, according to this
new report. And while more than half of survey respondents indicated
their giving would increase in 2005, 25 percent expected to reduce
giving, compared to the 18 percent who expected to cut their giving
last year.
Financial Leadership For Nonprofit Executives:
Guiding Your Organization
to Long-term Success
(Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, March 2005)
This new book provides the framework, specific language and processes
needed for financial leadership of an effective nonprofit business. It
also shows how to protect and grow the assets of an organization and
accomplish as much mission as possible with those resources. 152 pages,
$32.95.
Foundation Giving Trends: An Update on Funding Priorities
(The Foundation Center, February 2005)
According to this new report, overall giving by the largest
private and community foundations decreased 10 percent across most
major fields between 2002 and 2003. But certain areas —
including voter education, disaster preparedness, national security
and arms control — saw substantial growth in funding. In addition,
operating support claimed a new record-high share of foundation
giving. $45 ($95 as part of the Foundations Today Series).
Nonprofit
Fundraising and Administrative Cost Study
(Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, Center on Nonprofits
and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute, December 2004)
This three-phase study offers strong indications that a substantial
proportion of nonprofits are not accurately reporting their
fundraising and administrative costs. The project’s case studies and
survey data point to pervasive problems stemming from a
misunderstanding of accounting rules, weak accounting and management
infrastructure, and a structure of incentives that encourages poor
reporting.
Indigenous Peoples Funding and Resource
Guide, 2nd Edition
(International Funders for Indigenous Peoples and First Peoples
Worldwide, November 2004)
The new guide lists updated information on more than 200 foundations
that support grassroots organizations and indigenous projects around
the world, basic elements of an effective grant proposal, how to
conduct foundation research and more. Available in English or Spanish.
$50.
Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South
Asian Communities in the San Francisco Bay Area: An Introduction to
Grantmakers
(Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy and Grantmakers
Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, November 2004).
The new report highlights some of the issues, challenges and concerns
facing Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian communities
post-September 11. The report also provides some concrete
recommendations to foundations currently supporting these communities
as well as those funders interested in developing effective programs
and strategies to better meet these communities' needs.
International
Grantmaking III: An Update on U.S. Foundation Trends (PDF, 4
pages)
(The Foundation Center and Council on Foundations, November 2004)
This new report examines patterns in international giving based on an
analysis of grants made by the nation's largest foundations and
includes the results of a recent survey of the largest U.S.-based
international funders. The report shows that annual foundation funding
for international programs reached $3 billion for the fourth year in a
row in 2003, despite an economic downturn, terrorist attacks, and the
launch of an ongoing war on terror. Click above for a four-page
summary. The full report is available for $40.
Benchmarking
for Nonprofits: How to Measure, Manage and Improve Performance
(Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, November 2004)
This new book defines a formal, systematic and reliable way to
benchmark, from preparing an organization to measuring performance and
implementing best practices. It includes examples illustrating
benchmarking in action and exercises guiding an organization through
benchmarking-related processes. $34.95.
Your
Guide to Donor Advised Funds
(Light Bulb Press, November 2004)
The guide covers specific details about how donor-advised funds work,
tax benefits, and investment options, and explains where donor advised
funds fit in the greater context of philanthropy. $6.95.
America's
Health: State Health Rankings
(United Health Foundation, November 2004)
Minnesota is the nation's healthiest state, according to the 15th
edition of this annual report on the healthiness of the U.S.
population. This year's report reveals a 17.5 percent improvement in
America's overall health during the past 15 years, but also shows that
the rate of improvement is slowing significantly due to a combination
of personal, community and public health issues.
Nonprofit
Stewardship: A Better Way to Lead Your Mission-Based Organization
(Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, October 2004)
Nonprofit executive directors and boards are stewards-managers of
resources that belong to someone else. This concept is at the core of
this practical guide to understanding and applying stewardship ideas
to planning, finances and crisis management. $34.95.
2004
State of the Nonprofit Industry Survey (PDF, 7 pages)
(Blackbaud, September 2004)
More than half (59 percent) of nonprofits reported an increase in
their budgets this year, according to this national survey of
nonprofits. The survey also showed an increase in nonprofits' funding
of new staff positions, in donations the received from individuals and
in demand for their services.
Recent
Trends in Nonprofit Employment and Earnings: 1990-2004 (PDF,
10 pages)
(OMB Watch, September 2004)
This report examines the recent history of employment and compensation
trends in the nonprofit sector, from 1990 to 2004. It finds that while
the nonprofit sector held up well in the 2001 recession and its recent
aftermath, employment growth has come to a near standstill over the
past year. In addition, there have been declines in average hours
worked, weekly earnings and hourly wages. Over the past year, 17 of 23
states for which detailed data are available, had nonprofit employment
growth over the past year below the 15-year nationwide average.
Available free for download.
Aligning
for Results (PDF, 24 pages)
(Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, August 2004)
This report on the proceedings of GEO's national conference, held in
partnership with the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers,
captures themes from the conference
on aligning grantmakers’ operations for greater results and impact.
Available free for download.
The
Giving Book: Open the Door to a Lifetime of Giving
(Watering Can Press, August 2004)
This new book seeks to engage, teach and inspire children ages 6-11 to
give back to the world. The book helps them create a
"scrapbook" of their journey into compassion, philanthropy
and the power of their actions. $19.95.
Communications
for Social Good (PDF, 54 pages)
(The Foundation Center, August 2004)
This report provides grantmakers and nonprofits with an argument for
integrating communications into programs as a means of advancing the
philanthropic objectives. Authored by Frank Gilliam and Susan Nall
Bales, the report includes an overview of the evolution of
communication practices in philanthropy and lessons learned from early
innovators in the field. Available free for download.
Building
Communities Where Older Adults Thrive:
Research Summary on a Survey of
Older Adults in Ramsey County (PDF, 32 pages)
(Wilder Research Center, Ramsey County Community Human Services, July
2004)
This summary contains highlights of two research reports about a
survey of older adults in Ramsey County, plus findings of three
supplemental surveys of African American, Hmong and Latino older
adults. Available free for download.
End
of One Way (PDF, 72 pages)
(The McKnight Foundation, July 2004)
This book tells the story of how three organizations — Freeport West,
Hope Community and Powderhorn Phillips Cultural Wellness Center — are
helping people and communities make positive change by working in
partnership with them. Available free for download.
Foundation
Yearbook: Facts and Figures on Private and Community Foundations
(The Foundation Center, July 2004)
This report documents changes in the number, giving and assets of U.S.
foundations from 1975 through 2002 and provides estimates of
foundation giving through 2003. Some of the findings include a 0.2
percent decline in giving by U.S. foundations in 2002. $45 alone or
$95 with the Foundations Today series.
Just
Money: A Critique of Contemporary American Philanthropy
(The Philanthropic Initiative, July 2004)
This book captures the wisdom of a generation of philanthropic leaders
and inspires readers to consider their own action in the world. It's a
candid book of lessons gained (sometimes the hard way) and a guide for
the future. $35 ($20 paperback).
The
Nonprofit Board Member's Guide to Lobbying and Advocacy
(Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, July 2004)
This new book shows nonprofit board members how to use their power and
position to move their organization's work forward, and how to help
shape public policy through advocacy and lobbying. $34.95.
Foundation
Funding for the Humanities: An Overview of Current and Historical
Trends
(The Foundation Center, July 2004)
Giving by private foundations to the humanities more than doubled
between 1992 and 2002, according to this new report. Funding for
fields such as art history, history and archeology, languages and
linguistics, area studies and the humanistic social sciences increased
two and one-half times. Download the free report (PDF, 23 pages) from
the link above.
Grantmaking
with a Gender Lens: Using Gender Analysis
(GrantCraft, July 2004)
In this guide, grantmakers and grantees describe the experience of
using a "gender lens" in their work. They explain what
gender analysis is and isn't - and why it can help shape more
effective programs and organizations. Available free for download.
International
Grantmaking: Funding with a Global View
(GrantCraft, July 2004)
This guide is designed to help funders think through the decision to
fund internationally and build strong relationships with grantees. It
covers relevant federal regulations, working with consultants and
intermediaries, and other topics. Available free for download.
The
Nonprofit Mergers Workbook Part II: Unifying the Organization after a
Merger
(Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, July 2004)
This book will help nonprofit leaders create a comprehensive plan to
achieve integration after a merger-bringing together people, programs,
processes and systems from two or more organizations into a unified
whole. $44.95 (plus $6.00 shipping).
High-Engagement
Philanthropy: A Bridge to a More Effective Social Sector
(Venture Philanthropy Partners, Community Wealth Ventures, June 2004)
The new report examines how some high-engagement philanthropists and
nonprofit leaders are tackling the challenge of gaining access to
capital to build and grow organizations, raising provocative questions
about the way the nonprofit sector is funded. Download the full report
(PDF, 124 pages) or a shorter essay (PDF, 16 pages) from the link
above.
GrantBenefit.
(Community Foundations of Canada, June 2004)
This free online resource provides guidance, ideas, resources and
practical tools to help community foundations and other funders begin
to assess their benefit to the community, thereby increasing the
ability to demonstrate that foundations are achieving results.
KIDS
COUNT Data Book 2004
(Annie E. Casey Foundation, June 2004)
Eight of 10 indicators of child well-being have improved nationally,
according to the 15th edition of this annual report. But the study cautions that nearly one
in six “disconnected” youth are not working, have no degree beyond
high school and are not enrolled in school. Minnesota ranks No. 1 in
the report’s overall state rankings of child well-being. The
report’s powerful
online database lets you generate custom graphs, maps, ranked lists,
state-by-state profiles and more.
Guide
to U.S. Foundations: Their Trustees, Officers, and Donors, 2004 Edition
(The Foundation Center, June 2004)
The updated and expanded 2004 edition of the Guide provides current
information on 67,000 private grantmaking organizations in the United
State - including 4,700 foundations that are new to this edition. $325
(plus $6.50 shipping/handling).
Community
Foundation CEO Survey: Transitions and Career Paths (PDF, 11 pages).
(Community Foundations CEO Network, Council on Foundations, May 2004)
A study of 119 community foundations finds that 55 percent of CEOs
anticipate leaving their jobs in the next five years. Previous research
has shown that as baby boomers retire, leadership changes will intensify
in the sector, yet there are limited services available to help
nonprofits with transitions.
FC
Search: The Foundation Center's Database on CD-ROM, Version 8.0
(The Foundation Center, May 2004)
This expanded version of the Center's database of foundations, corporate
givers and grantmaking public charities now includes links to the most
recently available 990-PF forms. The CD-ROM also includes more than
324,000 grant records, plus the names of over 350,000 trustees, officers
and donors, with updates on their foundation affiliations. $1,195 for
single-user version, $1,895 for LAN version. 800/424-9836.
Attitudes and
Practices Concerning Effective Philanthropy
(The Urban
Institute, May 2004)
Many
grantmaking foundations are not engaging in practices that, according to their own standards, are
important for effectiveness, according to this first-ever study to comprehensively survey
foundations on effective philanthropy. The study is based on a survey of 1,192 grantmaking
foundations with at least one staff member. The survey, conducted by The David and Lucile Packard
Foundation in partnership with Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, addressed ideas about
foundation effectiveness, approaches to grantmaking, grant application and review processes,
monitoring and evaluation, program-related and social investing, collaboration and professional
involvement, communications, staff training and development, and self-assessments of
effectiveness. Download the executive summary (PDF, 20 pages) at the link above.
The
Generosity of Rich and Poor
(NewTithing Group, May
2004)
This study estimates that
if the "upper middle class" and "middle rich" had donated as high a
percentage of their asset wealth to charity as did lower wealth groups, total individual giving
in the United States would have been 23% higher in 2001 -an increase of $41.6 billion. The report
shows that lower-income tax filers, with incomes of $25,000 to $100,000, gave about 1-1.6% of
their investment assets to charity, and higher-income tax filers, with incomes of $10 million or
more, donated 1.2% of their assets. But those with incomes between $100,000 and $10 million gave
away just .44-.67% of their assets.
Listening
to Grantees: What Nonprofits Value in their Foundation Funders
(Center for Effective Philanthropy, May 2004)
This new report draws on a survey of thousands of grantees of 30
large U.S. private and community foundations to describe the key dimensions that nonprofits value
in their foundation funders. The report offers the first ever large-scale, systematic analysis of
grantee perceptions of foundations and debunks a number of myths concerning the relationship
between grantees and foundations. Download the report (PDF, 38 pages) at the link above.
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