Philanthropic training and immersion appear to be an effective way of encouraging donors to contribute more money and spend more time volunteering, according to a recent report published by The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy. “Becoming a Venture Philanthropist: A Study of the Socialization of Social Venture Partners” was written by Michael Moody and helps to increase our understanding of how new approaches to giving such as Social Venture Partners are facilitating donor education and learning. For a copy of the paper, click here.
New Research: "Foundation Strategy for Social Impact: A System Change Perspective”
The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy has just published “Foundation Strategy for Social Impact: A System Change Perspective.” The research explores what system change means in the context of foundation strategy and examines how foundations can design strategies that create transformative rather than incremental change. The research defines and presents the essential elements of a system, examines the manner in which system change can be realized, and provides lessons for foundation decision-making and practice. For a copy of the paper, click here.
New Book Released: Foundations and Public Policy: Leveraging Philanthropic Dollars, Knowledge, and Networks for Greater Impact
Dr. James M. Ferris, director of The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy, has edited Foundations and Public Policy: Leveraging Philanthropic Dollars, Knowledge, and Networks for Greater Impact a new book that examines the choices that foundations face when engaging in public policy work.
Foundations and Public Policy provides a framework for funders considering public policy engagement as a means of achieving their mission. For more information on the book click here.
Click here to purchase.
2008-2009 Distinguished Speakers Series
The Center's Distinguished Speakers Series provides a venue for leaders from different vantage points to share their views on philanthropy and public policy. Each event brings together key thinkers and decision makers from philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, government, business and the academic community to consider the role of philanthropy in addressing the challenges facing our communities.
Paul Brest
President, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
March 26, 2009
For more information on the Distinguished Speakers Series, click here.
Annotated Bibliography: Foundation Governance, Leadership and Accountability
Over the past five years, the Center has been working with foundation leaders on issues of foundation governance, stewardships, and leadership. In the process, we have surveyed the literature which has resulted in the publication of an annotated bibliography of materials of great usefulness to leaders in philanthropy on these topics.
For a copy of the report, click here.
Research Report: Foundation Support for Nonprofit Capital Needs in Southern California
The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy is pleased to announce the release of a new report that examines trends in foundation support for capital in Southern California. This report found that this type of support, which includes funding for capital campaigns, building and renovation, and land acquisition, is quite limited. Only five percent of the Southern California region’s 3,064 foundations explicitly state that they are willing to consider making capital grants, and less than 15% of grant dollars from larger foundations support capital needs, with the great majority of grant dollars coming from Ahmanson, Annenberg and Weingart Foundations. For a copy of the report, click here.
Annenberg Nonprofit Leadership Seminar
The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy has teamed up with The Annenberg Foundation and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University to offer the Annenberg Nonprofit Leadership Seminar, a senior-level development program designed to strengthen the role of nonprofit boards. The seminar examines the relationship between the board chair and executive director, while assessing the nonprofit's potential for growth.
The seminar is held over three days. Its goals are to stimulate discussion through a structured training curriculum which helps executive directors and board chairs work to provide greater capacity for organizational leadership and a stronger and more engaged board.
This seminar is offered three times a year. Due to extraordinary demand, space is highly limited. Please click here for more information and to sign up.
Research Report: California Foundations 2004: Trends and Patterns
The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy is pleased to announce the release of California Foundations 2004: Trends and Patterns, an update of the Center’s groundbreaking 1999 baseline analysis of California foundations. This update examines changes in the size, growth, and structure of California foundations as well as the changing patterns in foundation capacity and grantmaking across the regions of the state over the 1999-2004 period. This report reveals that California foundations have weathered the economic downturn of 2000-2001 and are now returning to the peak asset levels from earlier in the period and an increased pace in the growth of giving. For a copy of the report, click here. To find a summary of the report, click here. To read the press release, click here.