Kathleen Enright, president and CEO of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, shares her thoughts on whether or not funders should be problem solvers or social investors.
Rules of Engagement
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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.
Through Others’ Eyes
Kathleen Enright, president and CEO of Grantmaker’s for Effective Organizations (GEO), tackles the concept of philanthropic empathy.
Introducing Guest Blogger Kathleen Enright
Phil Buchanan introduces guest blogger Kathleen Enright, president and CEO of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations.
CEP Releases New Foundation-Grantee Relationship Research
Vice President—Research Ellie Buteau, PhD introduces CEP’s latest research publication on foundation-grantee relationships, “Working with Grantees.”
Naming Names: Five of the Best Program Officers
Phil Buchanan offers a preview of “Working with Grantees” and explains why CEP selected five exemplar program officers to highlight in the report.
Crystal Hayling Reminds Us of 5 Things We Know, But Keep Forgetting
Phil Buchanan shares excerpts from Crystal Hayling’s speech to the Association of Black Foundation Executives, calling it “one of the best talks on philanthropy” he has ever heard.
The Case for Foundation Performance Assessment
Jim Canales of the James Irvine Foundation shares six questions that have been central to his foundation’s approach to performance assessment.
Our Board’s Perspective on Performance Reporting
Jim Canales of the James Irvine Foundation shares two themes that arose when he and his team shared their Annual Performance Report with the Foundation’s board.
Should Grant Makers Embrace Experts’ Advice? It Depends
Alyse d’Amico shares an op-ed by Phil Buchanan and Ellie Buteau that cautions against new philanthropic formulas and advocates for decision making that is informed by rigorous thought and research.
Challenges to Good Performance Assessment
Jim Canales of the James Irvine foundation explains three challenges he has encountered while engaging in institutional assessment work.
Assessing Foundation Performance
Jim Canales of the James Irvine Foundation explains the framework for his foundation’s Annual Performance Report and expresses his hope to be challenged and questioned by readers in his blog post series.
Jim Canales to Address Overall Foundation Performance Assessment as CEP Guest Blogger
Phil Buchanan introduces guest blogger Jim Canales, CEO of the James Irvine Foundation.
A Dose of Honesty: And Now, a Word from Your Donors
Kevin Bolduc shares two powerful predictors of donor satisfaction that have emerged from Donor Perception Reports.
Has Anything Really Changed in Philanthropy?
Phil Buchanan asks what has changed in philanthropy since GEO’s first conference in 2002, and suggests that though many areas have had dramatic change and progress, the answer to his question is more ambiguous than he would have hoped.
Public Expectations: An Obstacle to Foundation Effectiveness?
Guest blogger Bob Hughes explores why erroneous public expectations are yet another reason for foundations to sharpen their communications skills.
Buchanan vs. Frumkin: “What Drives Philanthropic Success?”
Phil Buchanan challenges Peter Frumkin on the issue of what drives philanthropic success.
Foundations, Obama, and Independence
Phil Buchanan asks readers to think critically about partnerships between foundations and government.
Déjà Vu (or 1969) All over Again?
Joel Orosz draws connections between current political leanings and historical examples of populist criticism of foundations.
The Foundation: An Abiding American Mystery
CEP guest blogger Joel Orosz, PhD, reacts to findings of a survey published by the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative (PAI) that shows that even the most engaged citizens are in the dark when it comes to the accomplishments of foundations.
Introducing Guest Blogger Joel Orosz
Phil Buchanan introduces guest blogger Joel Orosz, PhD, distinguished professor of philanthropic studies at the Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University.