Foundation management

March 8, 2010 by giarts-ts-admin

INTRODUCTION

February 24, 2010 by Abigail

May 2010, 49 pages. Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Box 90524, Durham, NC, 27708, 919-613-7432 www.sanford.duke.edu

2009-2011 Foundation Operations Report

February 24, 2010 by Abigail

2009, 58 pages (12-page special supplement: Impact of the Market Decline). Association of Small Foundations, 1720 N Street NW, Washington, DC, 20036, 202-580-6560, www.smallfoundations.org

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January 22, 2010 by giarts-ts-admin

104 pages, November 2009. National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20506, (202) 682-5400.

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Hiring for Turnover

November 22, 2009 by Steve

When I was in college, I had a great work-study job at an organization that placed students in internships with local nonprofits. It was a small outfit and a jack-of-all-trades sort of job. I answered phones, mocked up application forms, stuffed envelopes, filed, ran errands, organized open houses, and learned how to write a business letter. It wasn’t the sort of job you’d want to stay in for too long, but it was a fabulous introduction to the nonprofit sector. It gave me practical office skills to boot.

No Recess during the Recession

November 22, 2009 by Steve

I have visited groups of GIA members and nonmembers in every region of the country this year, from Boston to Los Angeles and Atlanta to Seattle. It has been an interesting first year as executive director of GIA, to say the very least. What I have observed is that grantmakers have not taken a “recess” during this challenging time. In many ways, for private and community foundations especially, there could have been a pulling away from grantees, a kind of “we can’t help you” attitude.

November 22, 2009 by Steve

November 19, 2009 by Steve

As funders we have three main challenges: first, getting a handle on the extent and impact of the recession; second, exerting leadership — being bold, positive, and opportunistic without being insensitive; and third — and most important — asking ourselves the same tough questions that we are asking grantees: how do we slip the vice-like grip of old mindsets and behaviors and adapt so we increase our relevance, resilience, and meaningful contributions to our community?
— Foundation President

November 12, 2009 by Steve

In late January GIA polled its 309 member organizations about their organization's responses to the economic downturn. 117 (38%) members responded, which provides a healthy sample of the membership.

Members reported their expected 2009 arts grantmaking would likely compare to 2008 as follows:

41% expected that 2009 would be the same as 2008.
13% expected that it would be reduced to 90% of 2008.
12% expected that it would be reduced to 80% of 2008.
11% expected that it would be reduced to 70% of 2008.

Luck of the Draw

November 12, 2009 by Steve

Grantees of foundations have little control over which program officer takes their case. Yet program officers make or break grantees' experiences with foundations. To trigger social change, foundations must give program officers better training, clearer expectations, and regular performance feedback.

Free online from Standford Social innovation Review