Phil Buchanan calls on foundations to play a role in #GivingTuesday by rewarding effective organizations with impact grants.
Foundations Get Ready: There’s a #GivingTuesday Coming
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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.
One Year Later, What Is the State of Grantees’ Use of Foundations’ Social Media?
Ramya Gopal provides an updated look at our research on how nonprofits are interacting—or not—with their funders’ social media efforts.
The Most Common Words Grantees Use to Describe Their Funders
Kevin Bolduc shares an important piece of qualitative data on how nonprofits view their funders.
Data Point: In the Dark: What Are My CEO’s Goals?
Ramya Gopal shares data displaying differences on key measures between staff who know the extent to which they are working toward the same goals as their CEO and staff who do not.
A Worthy Investment in a Powerful Asset
Guest author Sarah Di Troia shares the powerful story of how technology investments from foundation funders have allowed Health Leads to take advantage of new partnerships and build a more sustainable earned revenue stream.
Sustainability is a Shared Responsibility
Guest author Andrea Cohen Barrack discusses the need for funders to support grantees in building core strength sustainability.
Under the Microscope: A Closer Look at Nonprofit Challenges
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.
Data Point: Feedback Keeps Fueling Change
Kevin Bolduc and Mark Chaffin present data about the changes in ratings seen by funders who have used the GPR survey three times.
Giving Talent Professionals a Seat at the Table
Brian Hughes makes the case for why talent professionals are vital contributors to getting the most from your staff.
Philanthropy End of Summer Beach Reading: Part 3
In the finale to his summer reading mini-series, Phil Buchanan highlights two articles that call attention to the importance of relationships.
Philanthropy End of Summer Beach Reading: Part 2
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.
Philanthropy End of Summer Beach Reading: Part 1
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.
Avoiding the Perils of Surface Persuasiveness
Stephen Sullivan makes the case for taking provocative sound bites not as confrontational bait, but opportunities for thoughtful reflection and meaningful debate.
Data Point: Nonprofits Want More Discussion about Assessment with Funders
Ellie Buteau presents a data point on how discussions about performance assessment can be a valuable source of non-monetary support for grantees.
Secure Your Own Oxygen Mask First
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.
On Peter Buffett’s Op-Ed
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.
Data Point: More Transparency Needed About What Foundations Are Learning
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.
Six Tips for Improving Staff Performance Reviews
Brian Hughes offers foundations advice on how to make the most of the performance review process.
D5 at the Midpoint
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.
Set Your Relationship Up for Success
Guest author Caroline Altman Smith of The Kresge Foundation offers advice for setting expectations to get funder/grantee relationships off on the right foot.