Featured resources for grantmaking, impact, and best practices in disaster management

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Center for Disaster Philanthropy

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy offers a variety of resources for interested donors. Here, you will find best practices from the academic, NGO, and donor communities, each highlighted for its impact on effective giving. Here is a video from the leadership of the Center, followed by their featured resources for grantmaking, impact, and best practices in disaster management. Grantmaking Disaster… Read More

Navigating Leadership Transitions in Family Philanthropy

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Virginia M. Esposito, Betsy Brill, Dean Phillips, Dinaz Mansuri, Patrick Troska

Every family philanthropy experiences the joy, the sadness, the complexity, and the energy of transitions. Moving toward new leadership in the family can be difficult, emotional, and sometimes frustrating. However, when it is done deliberately and thoughtfully, these times of transition can also be positive for all involved. … Read More

Great Grants: R.E. Olds Foundation

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Council of Michigan Foundations

Diana Tarpoff, president of the R.E. Olds Foundation, talks about her favorite "great grant" - support for Annie's Big Nature Lesson at the Woldumar Nature Center in Lansing. Thanks to the Council of Michigan Foundations for sharing this video from their "Great Grants" member profile series… Read More

Giving in challenging times

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Huge economic change may seem to call for a dramatic change in giving strategy. But thoughtful philanthropists rarely panic. In fact, they often see changing circumstances as a chance to take a fresh look at their approach—reviewing their giving; recalibrating their priorities and methods; and recommitting to a long-term giving strategy (if appropriate)… Read More

Finding Your Focus in Philanthropy

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

Many people come to philanthropy with their focus fully formed. They know what issues they want to take on, what they hope to achieve, and where they want their giving directed. For others, the process of choosing how to allocate their resources can be daunting — especially given the enormous range of opportunities… Read More

How shortcuts cut us short: Cognitive traps in philanthropic decision making

Posted on May 24, 2014 by Center for Evaluation Innovation, The MasterCard Foundation

Cognitive traps can hinder any decision a foundation makes about its strategies. This includes how to construct a theory of change to address it, and which grantees are best suited to do the work. It also includes decisions made during implementation, such as whether strategy adjustments are needed or whether to renew funding for certain activities or grantees… Read More