Blog

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.

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New Analysis Shows Foundations’ Grantee Perception Report Results Improving

by Ellie Buteau, PhDEllie Buteau, PhD | May 18, 2011 | Funder/Grantee Relationships

Ellie Buteau shares the press release for “Can Feedback Fuel Change at Foundations?,” which shows that foundations that use the Grantee Perception Report (GPR) more than once are making changes that are benefiting the organizations they fund. In addition to describing the data analysis and profiling foundations that have made improvements, the report identifies four keys to driving change as a result of the GPR.

Crystal Hayling Shares Pre-Conference Thoughts

by Alyse d'AmicoAlyse d'Amico | May 6, 2011 | CEP Conference

In advance of next week’s conference, CEP Board Member Crystal Hayling has been sharing via short videos her excitement about the event and what she hopes to take away from the sessions. Her videos are below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpovQu0JLp8...

Addressing Concerns: Why We Invited Esther Duflo to CEP’s Conference

by Phil BuchananPhil Buchanan | May 4, 2011 | Assessing Performance, By Phil Buchanan, Developing Strategy

As CEP’s May 10-11 conference approaches, I have been contacted by a few in the foundation community and asked, “What kind of a statement do you intend to make by having Esther Duflo speak at your conference?” Does CEP’s invitation to Duflo – an MIT economist and...

M. Christine DeVita, President of The Wallace Foundation, Joins the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s Board of Directors

by Alyse d'AmicoAlyse d'Amico | Apr 19, 2011 | Administration

Alyse d’Amico welcomes M. Christine DeVita, president of The Wallace Foundation, to CEP’s Board of Directors.

We Get By with a Little Help from Our Friends

by Kevin BolducKevin Bolduc | Apr 13, 2011 | Assessment Tools

Kevin Bolduc needs help! Please share your suggestions, your sketches, and your knowledge to improve CEP’s comparative data charts.

Don’t Believe the Hype, Believe the Data

by Phil BuchananPhil Buchanan | Apr 5, 2011 | Managing Operations

Phil Buchanan questions what constitutes a “trend” in the nonprofit sector.

Sharpening the Streamlining Mindset

by Amber BradleyAmber Bradley | Apr 1, 2011 | Funder/Grantee Relationships, Managing Operations

Amber Bradley introduces a new tool that highlights ways grantmaking procedures can be streamlined—reducing the burdens on both funders and applicants.

A New Must-Read Book Offers Advice to Donors and Foundation Officials

by Phil BuchananPhil Buchanan | Mar 23, 2011 | By Phil Buchanan, Developing Strategy

This opinion piece was originally published by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. I welcome your feedback. “How-to” philanthropy books and articles are becoming plentiful, but their quality is wildly uneven. Many, unfortunately, grossly oversimplify with promises that a...

Michael J. Fox to Speak at Center for Effective Philanthropy’s May 10-11 Conference

by Alyse d'AmicoAlyse d'Amico | Mar 9, 2011 | Programming and Communications

Alyse d’Amico announces that Michael J. Fox will speak at CEP’s May 10-11 conference for foundation leaders in Boston.

For Performance Assessments, How Public Should Foundations Be?

by Kevin BolducKevin Bolduc | Mar 8, 2011 | Assessing Performance, Funder/Grantee Relationships

Kevin Bolduc shares four reasons foundations make their Grantee Perception Reports public, but also builds an argument for why Glasspockets should consider including other, equally strong accountability efforts on its site.

The Plan for CEP 2011-2014, Part II

by Phil BuchananPhil Buchanan | Feb 25, 2011 | Assessing Performance, By Phil Buchanan, Developing Strategy

Phil Buchanan shares a video that further explains CEP’s public strategic plan, “Better Data, Better Decisions, Better Philanthropy: The Plan for CEP 2011-2014.”

The Plan for CEP 2011-2014

by Phil BuchananPhil Buchanan | Feb 22, 2011 | Administration, Assessing Performance, Managing Operations

Phil Buchanan introduces CEP’s strategic plan for the next four years and highlights new initiatives that CEP will undertake.

Former CEP Staff Member Ron Ragin Featured in Grammy-Winning Song

by Alyse d'AmicoAlyse d'Amico | Feb 14, 2011 | Administration

Alyse d’Amico celebrates a former CEP staff member’s role in a Grammy-winning vocal arrangement.

Organizational Changes at CEP

by Phil BuchananPhil Buchanan | Feb 4, 2011 | Administration, By Phil Buchanan, Programming and Communications

Phil Buchanan opens the search for a director of communications and applauds the many accomplishments of current vice president-programming, communications, and developement Alyse d’Amico.

CEP Conference To Unveil New Research on Community Foundation Strategy

by Ellie Buteau, PhDEllie Buteau, PhD | Jan 28, 2011 | Constituent Feedback, Developing Strategy, Programming and Communications

Ellie Buteau shares the many ways that CEP’s 2011 conference will be featuring community foundations, including new CEP research on community foundation strategy.

Early Bird Rates End February 1 for CEP’s 2011 Conference

by Alyse d'AmicoAlyse d'Amico | Jan 27, 2011 | Programming and Communications

Alyse d’Amico announces Harvard Business School professor Linda A. Hill’s participation in CEP’s 2011 conference and reminds readers of the upcoming early bird registration deadline.

Grantees Tell Foundations How to Make Reporting and Evaluation More Helpful

by Ellie Buteau, PhDEllie Buteau, PhD | Jan 13, 2011 | Funder/Grantee Relationships

Ellie Buteau introduces a new research piece that provides a detailed look at grantees’ experience of the reporting and evaluation processes, what makes them most helpful, and how foundations could improve them.

Back to Basics: What Are You Trying to Achieve?

by Ellie Buteau, PhDEllie Buteau, PhD | Dec 20, 2010 | Assessing Performance, Developing Strategy

Ellie Buteau, PhD posits that before a foundation can contribute assessment data to Glasspockets, it must clarify goals, strategies, and indicators of success.

How Understanding Their Fields Helped Three Foundations Make Better Decisions and Avoid Costly Mistakes

by Ellie Buteau, PhDEllie Buteau, PhD | Dec 16, 2010 | Funder/Grantee Relationships

Our case study, Lessons from the Field: From Understanding to Impact, provides an in-depth look at how three different foundations cultivate an understanding of their fields and then translate that understanding into more effective grantmaking.

Here’s Some Philanthropy Advice for Mark Zuckerberg

by Phil Buchanan, Stephen HeintzPhil Buchanan | Dec 14, 2010 | By Phil Buchanan, Developing Strategy

Phil Buchanan shares an op-ed by him and Stephen Heintz that offers four pieces of advice to Mark Zuckerberg and the other Giving Pledgers.