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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.
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.
Phil Buchanan weighs in on the issue of overemphasis on overhead as a measure of nonprofit effectiveness.
Guest author Caitlin Stanton voices concern about how progress toward complex goals is measured and proposes a new model for setting strategic goals.
Phil Buchanan and Aaron Dorfman dispute the notion that there is an inherent tension between strategy and social-change movements; in fact, they argue, is essential to grass-roots success.
Amber Bradley introduces a short video demonstration of our new online reporting system which allows funders greater customization in viewing and analyzing survey data.
CEP Board Member Jim Knickman wonders whether or not the risks his foundation has been making are really risky enough.
Mark Russell reflects on the lessons from our conference, specifcally about the challenge of truly listening.
Jara Dean-Coffey explores the idea of design thinking, as introduced by Peter Sims during the 2013 CEP conference, posing questions for foundations as they think about making their own “little bets.”
Guest author Jim Canales dicusses the role transparency plays in getting the most from foundation boards.
CEP Board Member Vincent Stehle gears up for the screening of “Detropia” during the May 20-22 CEP conference in Detroit, Michigan.
Reviewing our new “Foundation Transparency” report, guest author Aaron Dorfman reflects on the history of this topic and realizes how little has changed in the past three decades.
Research Manager Andy Brock highlights key findings from our new research report exploring what types of foundation transparency really matters to grantees.
Mark Russell introduces a video of CEP President Phil Buchanan sharing his thoughts on the program of our upcoming national conference, Pursuing Results: Effective Foundation Practice.
Ellie Buteau shares a data point from our “Room for Improvement” report that highlights the burden that funders’ inconsistent reporting requirements place on grantees.
Guest author Antony Bugg-Levine reflects on findings from the Nonprofit Finance Fund 2013 State of the Sector Survey, discussing how foundations can help nonprofits adapt to do more with less.
Kevin Bolduc shares some lessons learned about our experiment in offering the Strategy Landscape tool and why it might not have been the right tool at the right time.
Kevin Bolduc finds an unlikely reminder about the difficulty of collecting candid feedback from grantees, but urges funders to prioritize this effort.
Guest author Peter Sims calls for more courage and creativity from philanthropists in order to lead the way toward solving complex social problems.
Ellie Buteau shares a data point on the reasons behind overall foundation performance assessment ahead of a presentation on the topic by Phil Buchanan at the Council on Foundations 2013 Annual Conference.
Phil Buchanan raises questions about what we know about foundations’ involvement in impact investing and calls for new research to explore the topic.