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.
Funder/Grantee Relationships
Foundations, Obama, and Independence
Phil Buchanan asks readers to think critically about partnerships between foundations and government.
Funders Should Do More to Help Nonprofits Build Evidence
Ellie Buteau, PhD urges funders to proactively offer grantees resources as they collect evidence of their effectiveness, rather than demanding proof of grantees’ impact without first supporting data collection efforts.
A Dose of Honesty: Expectations
Kevin Bolduc encourages funders to be clear about setting grantees’ expectations for processes and requirements, noting it will lay a foundation for greater trust and understanding.
A Dose of Honesty: The Tyranny of the Anecdote
Kevin Bolduc shares a few scathing examples of grantee comments about foundations, but urges funders not to let these colorful perceptions distract from important insights that other grantees may be offering in a Grantee Perception Report.