Ellie Buteau introduces our newest research report on how nonprofits would like their foundation funders to aid them in responding to the challenges they face.
![Under the Microscope: A Closer Look at Nonprofit Challenges](https://cep.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/under-the-microscope.png)
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The CEP blog aims to offer a range of perspectives, experiences, and opinions related to effective philanthropic practice. We welcome submissions that address crucial issues facing individual and institutional donors and are not self-promotional in nature. The views expressed in these posts are not necessarily CEP’s own.
Ellie Buteau introduces our newest research report on how nonprofits would like their foundation funders to aid them in responding to the challenges they face.
Kevin Bolduc and Mark Chaffin present data about the changes in ratings seen by funders who have used the GPR survey three times.
Brian Hughes makes the case for why talent professionals are vital contributors to getting the most from your staff.
In the finale to his summer reading mini-series, Phil Buchanan highlights two articles that call attention to the importance of relationships.
In the second of three posts on what’s he’s been reading this summer, Phil Buchanan raises questions about the call for nonprofits to work on bold, upstream goals rather than simply symptoms of our big challenges.
In the first of three posts on what’s he’s been reading this summer, Phil Buchanan offers his take on the strategic philanthropy discussion prompted by recent articles by Bill Schambra, Paul Brest, and Larry Kramer.
Stephen Sullivan makes the case for taking provocative sound bites not as confrontational bait, but opportunities for thoughtful reflection and meaningful debate.
Ellie Buteau presents a data point on how discussions about performance assessment can be a valuable source of non-monetary support for grantees.
Guest author Susan McConnell advocates for funders to focus on developing the skills of program officers as a way to lead to more effective working relationships with grantees.
Phil Buchanan reacts to Peter Buffett’s take on the philanthropic sector, offering both criticisms of some of Buffett’s arguments and thoughtful relections on areas where he may not be totally off-base.
Andrea Brock shares a data point from our “Foundation Transparency” report about nonprofits’ desire for funders to be more open about their experiences with what hasn’t worked in their grantmaking.
Brian Hughes offers foundations advice on how to make the most of the performance review process.
Guest author Kelly Brown of the D5 Coalition discusses the progress to date of philanthropy’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, while highlighting how much remains to be done for the field to reach its full potential.
Guest author Caroline Altman Smith of The Kresge Foundation offers advice for setting expectations to get funder/grantee relationships off on the right foot.
Phil Buchanan makes a case for philanthropy as an independent academic pursuit and lauds Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen for aiding that cause.
Grace Nicolette announces the translation of CEP’s “Essentials of Foundation Strategy” report into simplified and complex Chinese.
Guest author Carol Ting advises funders to recognize that relationships with their grantees are symbiotic and suggests making an effort to rebalance the inherent power dynamics to make those partnerships more effective.
Manager Grace Nicolette reports out on the lessons learned from a recent survey of our Donor Perecption Report subscribers.
Ellie Buteau and Phil Buchanan introduce CEP’s newest research report that lays out practical advice for foundation program staff to strengthen relationships with their grantees.
Phil Buchanan continues his exposition on the nonprofit overhead debate, warning that a failure to acknowledge our worst offenders blurs our ability to make a cogent argument.