Nationwide | Statewide | San Francisco Bay Area | Trends | Fee-based resources
Briefing on the Economy and Charitable Giving
December 2008
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
More than Money: Making a Difference with Assistance Beyond the Grant
December 2008
The Center for Effective Philanthropy
Most of foundations’ efforts ‘beyond the money’ make little difference to grantees. This report reveals that only when foundation staff provide assistance beyond the grant in one of two ways do grantees report a substantially more positive experience with their funders. It describes what is entailed in providing assistance in ways that really matter to grantees. Three exemplar foundations are profiled: Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Winter Park Health Foundation, and Wallace Foundation.
Bank of America Study of High Net-Worth Philanthropy - Portraits of Donors
December 2007
An in-depth quantitative study of households with incomes of greater than $200,000 or assets in excess of $1 million. This very small number of households is responsible for approximately two-thirds of all household charity in the US. This study is a look at their charitable practices and the motivations behind them.
The Index of Global Philanthropy
Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Philanthropy, 2008
This second edition is a comprehensive guide to the sources and magnitude of American charity—as well as giving from other industrialized nations—to the developing world. Published by Hudson Institute’s Center for Global Prosperity, 2008.
Patterns of Household Charitable Giving
Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy, 2007
The Center and Google partnered to estimate how much of the charitable giving by households in the U.S. focuses on the needs of the poor. This analysis finds that less than one-third of the money individuals gave to nonprofits in 2005 was focused on the needs of the economically disadvantaged. Of the $250 billion in donations, less than $78 billion explicitly targeted those in need.
Giving From Those Who Can Least Afford It
Conde Nast Portfolio magazine, 2008
This article reports that, counter to most people’s assumptions, low-wage earners make significant contributions to charity. Why? According to the article, their giving might be religiously driven.
The Nonprofit Sector in Brief
The Urban Institute, 2007
Key data from the 2007 National Nonprofit Almanac, including current highlights, size and scope, giving, volunteering and nonprofits by state.
Disaster Giving (Power Point)
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, 2006
Information on the magnitude of disaster relief giving, who gives for disaster relief and how, and compares disaster relief giving to national giving.
In Search of Impact: Practices and Perceptions in Foundations' Provision of Program and Operating Grants to Nonprofits
The Center for Effective Philanthropy, Dec 2006
Data about current foundation practices, attitudes underlying those practices, and the impact on grantees of foundation choices. Also explores motivations of foundation CEOs in decision-making.
Statewide (California)
Embracing Diversity: Foundation Giving Benefiting California's Communities of Color
Foundation Center, 2008
As the diversity of California's population continues to grow, a new Foundation Center analysis of grantmaking by 50 of the state's largest independent foundations finds that at least 39 percent of California-focused grants benefited populations of color. According to the report, in 2005 alone, these 50 California-based foundations awarded a minimum of 2,700 grants totaling nearly $300 million to support health, education, social services, and other programs that serve ethnically or racially diverse populations.
Highlights of California Foundations: An Update on the State’s Grantmaking Community
The Foundation Center in Partnership with the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the University of Southern California, 2006
Trends in philanthropic giving by California Foundations
Foundation Giving in California
The James Irvine Foundation, 2006
A snapshot of overall giving, asset distribution and regional disparities among private and community foundations in California.
San Francisco Bay Area
East Bay Indicators 2008
An annual report monitoring economic and social trends in the East Bay and demonstrating how trends affecting quality of life compare to the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Compiled by the East Bay Economic Development Alliance, a public-private partnership serving Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
East Bay Community Assessment
East Bay Community Foundation, 2008
The 2008 East Bay Community Assessment examines a wide range of quality-of-life indicators with a focus on barriers to justice, and on equity and inclusion in the fabric of civic life for all East Bay residents. The topics covered in the report address the East Bay Community Foundation’s new areas of grantmaking—promoting economic independence for families and educational success for children—as well as the broad range of related issues of concern to EBCF’s donors.
Managing through Challenges, A Profile of San Francisco Bay Area Nonprofits
Center for Social Innovation, 2005
Baseline information on the San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit sector with overview of the nonprofit economy in the Bay Area contrasting the region with the nation as a whole.
Trends
Economic Xchange
The Council on Foundations, 2008
The Council on Foundations has instituted a new, interactive, web-based service, Economic Xchange, through which foundations can share strategies, ideas, and tactics for coping with the economic uncertainties.
Charity Outlook Is Bleak
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
February 12, 2009
Nonprofit organizations are in for a tough year of tightening credit markets and a deepening recession, according to two new reports from Moody's Investors Service, a credit-rating agency, in New York. According to the report, which tracked bond ratings in 2008 for 742 nonprofit borrowers, ratings were relatively stable.
Foundation Giving Trends
2009 Edition
Despite the first signs of an economic downturn in the latter half of the year, The Foundation Center notes that 1,300 of the largest U.S. private and community foundations increased funding for nearly all of the 10 major subject areas in 2007. Article includes key highlights of the trends.
Philanthropy Today, Stanford Discussions – Interview with Laura Arrillaga
Stanford University Podcast, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Recorded June 27, 2008
Peter Hero, an advisor to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and long-time philanthropy expert, interviews Laura Arrillaga, founder and chairman of the Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund (SV2), a venture philanthropy fund, to discuss philanthropic giving growth, the increasingly complex donor “marketplace” vehicles and the new generation of philanthropists. (42 minutes, 19.5MB)
The Rise and (Potential) Fall of Philanthrocapitalism
Slate.com
Nov. 13, 2008
Billionaires brought their business sense and ambition to charitable giving. Now what?
Asset Declines and Investment Strategy Changes by Family, Independent, and Public Foundations
The Council on Foundations, 2/3/2009
Survey results just released by the Council on Foundations at the Family Philanthropy Conference in Indianapolis showed that family, independent, and public foundations experienced a 28 percent decline in their asset values over the course of 2008. Many foundations have not made major changes to their investment strategies, but a substantial proportion are making changes in their investment managers, their diversification, and aggressiveness of their investment strategies.
In Tough Times, It's Time to Step Up
International Business Times
By Susan Carey Dempsey
2/3/2009
With markets gyrating, companies disappearing, and wealth vanishing down the Madoff rabbit-hole, some nonprofits are holding their breath, others cutting staff and postponing building plans, still others closing their doors. And in this perfect storm, while the working poor lose jobs and health insurance, and vital social services are needed more than ever, philanthropy must be strengthened.
Fee-based Studies
Giving USA 2008
The yearbook on philanthropy published by Giving USA Foundation and researched and written by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. The yearbook contains nationwide statistics on charitable giving and philanthropy. Annual data from 1966 through 2006 are also available.
Investment Performance and Practices of Community Foundations
Council on Foundations, 2007
A window into the asset allocation and investment performance and practices of nearly half of all community foundations with assets of $5 million or more across the United States. Charts and tables make it easy to absorb a variety of statistics.
Effective Philanthropy: Organizational Success through Deep Diversity and Gender Equality
The MIT Press, 2006.
Describes models for building effective foundations that can be applied to all kinds of institutions, and advocates for institutionalizing a more nuanced understanding of diversity.
