For Foundations

Click the link below for:

Reports, Books and Studies

Tools and Websites

Foundation Management Resources

Reports, Books and Studies

Essentials of Foundation Strategy: Report by Center for Effective Philanthropy that identifies defining elements of strategic foundation leaders; characteristics of their plans, communications, grantmaking, and assessments; need to back strategic plans with logic models; and challenges. (December 2009)
Philanthropic Studies Index
Convergence: How Five Trends Will Reshape the Social Sector: Report by La Piana Consulting (November 2009)
Current Practices in Family Foundations: The first-ever random survey of family foundation practices from The National Center for Family Philanthropy. (September 2009)
Piper Charitable Trust has just released The Growth of Valley Philanthropy Over the Past 10 Years, a report on growth of metro-Phoenix. (September 2009)
Nonprofit CEO Compensation Study: By Charity Navigator (August 2009)
Smarter Grantmaking in Challenging Economic Times: A report from Grantmakers for Effective Organizations offers recommendations and examples to help foundation leaders as they look ahead to make tough decisions in 2010. (2009)
Foundations and Public Policy: The newest book from the Foundation Center addresses how foundations can engage in local public policy discussion. (March 2009)
Grants Management Software reports by Solpath
Risk, Return and Social Impact: Demystifying the Law of Mission Investing by U.S. Foundations (November 2008)
Measuring and/or Estimating Social Value Creation: Insights into Eight Integrated Cost Approaches: This report from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation describes and analyzes eight approaches to integrating cost in measuring and/or estimating social value creation. (December 2008)
Arizona Giving Reports: Reports compiled by Arizona Grantmakers Forum giving an overview of philanthropy in Arizona. AGF resource
Advancing Good Governance: How Grantmakers Invest in the Governance of Nonprofit Organizations: Explores how funders can help nonprofits strengthen their boards and governance to enhance performance and outcomes. (March 2009)
General Operating Support Vol. 2: Assessing the impact (pdf): Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (2007) AGF resource
The Balancing Act: The Role of a Community Foundation as a Community Leader: Outlines the evolution of community foundations' leadership roles, why and when they should take on such a role, and how to direct human resources, funding, or other resources to the effort without jeopardizing the ability to respond to changing needs. (October 2008)
Limited Life Foundations: Motivations, Experiences, and Strategies: By Urban Institute: Compares characteristics of perpetual foundations and limited life foundations, set to be terminated at a specified time. Explores both personal and strategic reasons for "sunsetting" and positive and negative effects of limited life on the foundation. (February 2009)

Tools and Websites

The Center for What Works - a nonprofit dedicated to building performance measurement capacity and developing a common language for the social sector to benchmark results, learn and improve.
Glass Pockets is a joint venture of Foundation Center and several partner organizations designed to increase transparency in the philanthropic sector and to encourage greater sharing of successes and failures.
Funders Together to End Homelessness is the national affinity group for foundations and corporations supporting strategic and effective grantmaking to end homelessness.
AGF Economic Crisis Resources and Information AGF resource
Family Foundation Assessment Process: Pursuit of Excellence, the first ever assessment designed specifically for family foundations offered by the National Center for Family Philanthropy (NCFP). (April 2009)
Smart Givers Network: Resources for Smart Giving
Philanthropy In/Sight: Allows registered users to create customized Google maps to explore giving patterns, emerging trends, and funding relationships globally, nationally, or at the community level. Free trial currently available to AGF members.
Nonprofit Law Resource Library: By Hurwit & Associates
PubHub: A source for foundation-sponsored reports. Search the online catalog of annotated links to 4,403 research reports, case studies, issue briefs, literature reviews, and annual reports published or funded by U.S. Foundations.
Family Funders Network: A website that is a robust portal for family funders to explore issues facing vulnerable children and families.
Section on GuideStar website just for donors (April 2009)
Advocacy Progress Planner: A free online resource for putting together advocacy and policy efforts.
IssueLab: Offers services and products to foundations that increase the visibility and distribution of nonprofit research.
Technology Tools for Philanthropic Foundations: This site is designed as a simple and quick introduction for grantmakers interested in using new technologies (and some older ones, too) in creative ways.
A Brief Guide to the Law of Mission Investing for U.S. Foundations (November 2008)
CommA"Communication Professionals for Community Foundations."
General Philanthropic Resources: Websites that provide assistance in managing foundations and general foundation resources. AGF resource
Rural Philanthropy Knowledge Center: Practical information on how to start and manage a rural fund, and other useful resources on how to grow philanthropy in rural areas.
Tips for a Wise Grantmaker: Thirteen tips on how to make your grantmaking as effective as possible. AGF resource
Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy: An organization dedicated to strengthening the next generation of grantmakers, in order to advance effective social justice philanthropy.

Foundation Management Resources

AGF's Small and Family Foundation Roundtable AGF resource
Grantcraft Guide - The Effective Exit: A guide on how to use the end of a funding relationship to boost a grantee’s capacity, find new sources of support, and even multiply the value of the foundation’s investment.
Consumer's Guide to Grants Management Software Report: This 89-page report provides a rundown of common features and overviews of eighteen systems, as well as detailed reviews, prices, and a comparison chart of nine of the software packages most widely used by grantmakers. (May 2008)
Developing a Grantmaker Travel Policy: Tips for creating a transparent and effective travel policy for your organization. (2007) AGF resource

AGF presents this guide to giving for businesses. Click Here!

Follow Marissa on Twitter!

Become a Member

Are you a funder interested in joining AGF? Click here!