Data, impact, and assessment

Giving That Gets Results: SSIR x Bridgespan series on adaptive philanthropy

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Alison Powell, Susan Wolf Ditkoff

Adaptive philanthropy is one of the more interesting developments in the field of philanthropy. Over the course of eight weeks in the late fall of 2013, SSIR and Bridgespan presented Giving That Gets Results (www.ssireview.org/effective_ philanthropy), a series of blogs, videos, and webinars that explored adaptive philanthropy, and other important approaches to philanthropy. … Read More

Making a difference: Evaluating your philanthropy

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Ellen Remmer

“I want to make a difference” This simple statement often sums up the motivating impulse for both sophisticated and beginning philanthropists. However, most donors soon learn that it is very difficult to measure the results of charitable activity. Donors who come to philanthropy from business careers often expect to measure nonprofit performance by the rigorous, quantitative measures used in the corporate sector, and are surprised by the resistance to such metrics in the world of philanthropy and “social investment.”… Read More

Great Grants: Porter Family Foundation

Posted on November 25, 2013

Tom Porter, president of the Porter Family Foundation, shares his “great grant” story, a grant to the Michigan League of Conservation Voter’s www.greatmichigan.org website. Thanks to the Council of Michigan Foundations for sharing this video from their “Great Grants” member profile series.  … Read More

The Power of Urgency – The Eckerd Family Foundation

Posted on October 16, 2013 by Jason Born

Organized from its inception as a limited life foundation, the Eckerd Family Foundation took a bold and strategic approach to using its assets to create significant change on issues affecting young people, including juvenile justice, foster care, and education… Read More

Fast Forward to Greater Impact: The Power of Field Scans

Posted on July 24, 2013 by Christine Sherry

Field scans are emerging as a core tool for family funders inundated by increasingly larger numbers of nonprofits seeking funding, the ubiquity of social media pitches, and an almost limitless amount of data available on the web—data which can be more overwhelming than useful. Field scans are particularly valuable for family foundations that want to try a new strategy, find… Read More

No Cost Extension Policy

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Anonymous

Sample language for extending the time required to complete goals of a grant: A no cost extension formally authorizes you to take more time to complete the original purposes of your grant. Please contact your grant team if you would like to request a no cost extension. … Read More

Budget Modification Policy

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Anonymous

Sample policy for modifying a grants budget: We understand that changes in your grant budget may occur after your grant has been approved. You may modify the approved grant budget to reflect actual costs without the prior written consent of the foundation, so long as the modification falls under one the following categories: the change does not change any budget… Read More

What is my giving style? Two considerations: Visibility & Impact

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

This guide identifies two (among many) considerations that shape a philanthropist’s giving style. The first is the degree of visibility a donor wants (or does not want): at one end of the spectrum is the anonymous giver, and on the other end is the public advocate. The second consideration is the level of impact the donor desires: at one end is the giver who is interested in providing immediate, direct relief, and at the other is the philanthropist committed to long-term social change… Read More

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