Phil Buchanan presents updated CEP’s updated definition of foundation effectiveness, and encourages readers to share their thoughts on what’s missing.
A Working Definition of Foundation Effectiveness
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Developing Strategy
11 New Year’s Wishes
Every New Year, we tend to dream of what the next year might bring. In that spirit, here are my wishes for what we’d see in foundationland in my imagined 2014. Let me emphasize that these are not predictions (I am a bit of a cynic about predictions). These are instead...
If Progress on Goals is a Glass, It’s Half Empty and Half Full
Guest author Paul Brest, Professor Emeritus at Stanford Law School and former president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, reacts to CEP’s research report, “How Far Have We Come? Foundation CEOs on Progress and Impact.” Though encouraged that foundation CEOs’ recognize the value of acquiring and sharing evidence of what works to improve outcomes, Brest argues that is is crucial for foundation leaders to begin to act on these beliefs.
Leadership Aggregation in Nonprofits: Maximizing the Value of Nonprofit Investments
Guest authors Gavin Fenn-Smith and Nicki Roth, of Saroga, the Nonprofit Leadership Forum, make the case for investing in talent and leadership in nonprofit organizations, recognizing that the desired impact to affect social change does not occur without effective leadership.
Data Point: Nonprofits Struggle with Meeting Demand, Using Technology, and Developing Leadership
Nonprofit leaders do not want help from their foundation funders with every challenge their organizations face, but would like more foundation help specifically in meeting the demand for their programs and services, using technology to improve their effectiveness, and developing their leadership skills. Mark Chaffin highlights another key finding from our research report Nonprofit Challenges: What Foundations Can Do.
Foundations Get Ready: There’s a #GivingTuesday Coming
Phil Buchanan calls on foundations to play a role in #GivingTuesday by rewarding effective organizations with impact grants.
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.
Announcing the Chinese Version of CEP’s “Essentials of Foundation Strategy” Report
Grace Nicolette announces the translation of CEP’s “Essentials of Foundation Strategy” report into simplified and complex Chinese.
Is It Time for RISKY Goals, Not Just SMART Ones?
Guest author Caitlin Stanton voices concern about how progress toward complex goals is measured and proposes a new model for setting strategic goals.
‘Strategy’ Is Not a Bad Word
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.