As an alternative to grants, some foundations use a lending instrument known as the program-related investment (PRI). Here is some basic information about the kinds of activities that they support.
With
more and more cities around the country vying
for sports franchises, professional teams have
become major beneficiaries of corporate welfare
-- extracting lucrative subsidies, huge tax
breaks, and other financial concessions from
the communities in which they play. What are
they giving back to those communities in the
form of corporate philanthropy?
For
superstar athletes, charitable foundations are
about more than good works. They're also good
business. Steve Tappan explains why so many
athletes are starting foundations-and why their
agents insist on it.
In
some big cities, the quickest way to make friends
in high places is to make sizable contributions
to elite institutions. Mark Dowie looks at the
practice of "power philanthropy," and shows
how it threatens the beneficiaries of more traditional
grantmaking.
In
an interview with National Public Radio's Bob
Edwards, historian Peter Dobkin Hall looks at
Ted Turner's billion-dollar pledge to the UN
and compares it to the philanthropic gifts of
earlier tycoons like Carnegie, Rockefeller,
and Ford.
Venture
philanthropy is a hot topic in philanthropic
circles. Is it the future of grantmaking or
a passing fad? Is it born of genuine commitment
to social change or the arrogance of wealthy
young elites? Neil Carlson of the National Committee
for Responsive Philanthropy examines the phenomenon
and proposes a plan for improvement.
Learning
about major foundations is relatively easy these
days. Publications like the Foundation
Directory are readily accessible, and most national
grantmakers have Web sites that explain their
giving interests and application policies.
But where do you go to find out about the tens
of thousands of less visible funders that support
locally-based projects and organizations?
In many localities there are specialized directories
that provide this information. Some are
produced by regional associations of grantmakers,
some by state attorneys general, and some by
for-profit consulting firms or publishers.
They come in all shapes and sizes, and they
vary widely in quality, utility, and price.
Here's a guide to available guides, plus a few
pointers on what to look for-and what to avoid.
The
Foundation Center recently released a detailed
report on the staffing patterns of grantmaking
foundations. It provides lots of statistical
data, but what does any of it mean for grantseekers?
The
Council on Foundations now recognizes 37 separate
affinity groups, voluntary associations of grantmakers
interested in specific issues and population
groups. Some of these affinity groups operate
as informal networks, some function as technical
assistance providers for other funders, and
a few work as active advocates for a particular
cause. Most affinity groups confine their services
to grantmakers, but they all have the potential
to provide helpful information and expert guidance
to grantseekers. How well are they realizing
that potential?
Why
are RFPs, grant proposals, and other forms of
communication among philanthropic organizations
littered with jargon? Tony Proscio takes
a wry look at our addiction to buzzwords, dissects
a few trendy examples, and suggests some ways
to kick the habit.
No
one has exerted a more profound influence on
the shape of international philanthropy than
billionaire financier George Soros. Soon his
vast network of activist foundations will be
operating in 40 countries. Will recent turmoil
in world financial markets dampen the pace of
his bold initiatives?
Right-wing
pundits routinely complain about the left-leaning
bias of major foundations, but a new report
from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
argues that conservative funders have been much
more effective than their progressive counterparts
in shaping public policy and achieving ideological
ends.
As
a program officer with the Kellogg Foundation,
Dr. Joel Orosz dispensed frank advice along
with grants. Speaking to a gathering of
TGCI alumni, he provided an insider's perspective
on how foundations operate-and how grantseekers
should approach them.
They
go by the humble acronym RAG (the one in Washington,
D.C. goes by the doubly humble "WashRAG"),
but regional associations of grantmakers can
be a valuable resource for local nonprofits.
About half the RAGs have developed their own
version of a common application form, which
allows grantseekers to use a single format when
writing proposals to multiple funders. Many
hold "Meet the Donor" forums or publish directories
that describe their members' grantmaking policies
and priorities. Here's the lowdown on which
RAGs do--or don't-- offer these services.
Your
agency submits a grant proposal to a longtime
funder and the program officer responds with
high praise. There's just one hitch-she
also wants you to redefine your mission.
What's a board to do? Three experts offer
their own advice.
If
you're looking for a grant from one of the many
foundations named for athletes, chances are
you're looking in vain. Most athletes' foundations
support specific causes, but don't make grants.
Started
by a civic-minded group of techie millionaires
in Seattle, SVP combines charity with collegiality-and
has spawned a host of similar associations in
other high-tech corridors around the country.
Carilu Pozorski looks at the origins and practices
of the Seattle group. She also shows how their
pursuit of good works resembles that of more
traditional service clubs.
There
are 24 regional associations of grantmakers
in the U.S., and half of them have already adopted
a standardized application format. That may
be good news for grantseekers looking for ways
to save time and cut paperwork. But a format
is only as good as the proposals it produces.
Do standardized application forms really promote
effective program planning? What are the strengths
and weaknesses of each of the various formats?
With
the collapse of communism, tens of thousands
of non-governmental organizations have sprung
up in Central and Eastern Europe. Despite support
from Western donors, this emerging nonprofit
sector faces an uphill battle in gaining the
confidence of a skeptical citizenry.
No
organization can insulate itself completely
from employment-related risks. But written
policies and a carefully drafted manual can
go a long way toward minimizing those risks.
Here's what goes into producing such a manual--along
with a list of dos and don'ts for job assessment.
Grantees
often view site visits with dread, but the vast
majority of grantmakers have fairly benevolent
motives for wanting to observe your work. Based
on interviews with several experienced program
officers, Joel Hoekstra offers eight pointers
on preparing for site visits.
