Recommended resources

Click on the links below to go to the corresponding section:

Donors’ associations
Organizations supporting philanthropy and civil society
Donor advisers
Giving circles and peer networks
Pooled funds including diaspora funds
Internet giving platforms
Publications
Blogs
Other links

Philanthropy resources

Alliance is aiming to compile a list of resources for foundations and individual philanthropists around the world. What we have now is only a beginning – please help us complete the list.

Donors’ associations

Association of Small Foundations
http://www.smallfoundations.org
A Washington DC-based membership organization of over 3,000 members, ASF supports foundations with few or no staff through peer learning and targeted resources.

- Council on Foundations
  http://www.cof.org
  The Council on Foundations, based in Washington DC, is a non-profit membership organization of over 2,100 grantmaking foundations and corporations. Although not specifically designed for individual donors, the Council has a plethora of resources on its website that would be helpful to individuals as well as larger foundations. See especially ‘Grantmaking Basics’ under the ‘Learn’ section of the website, and the list of links under US International Grantmaking (www.usig.org/resources.asp). For information on community foundations, see the ‘Community Foundation Services and Locator’ page on the website.

- European Foundation Centre
  http://www.efc.be
  Based in Brussels, EFC serves primarily institutional and corporate funders, but has an array of resources on the website that would be of interest to individual donors. See especially the ‘Knowledge Resources On and For Funders’ section on the website.

GIFE (Grupo de Institutos Fundacoes e Empresas)
http://www.gife.org.br
GIFE is a grantmakers’ association that promotes institution building and strengthening to address sustainable development in Brazil.

- Grantmakers Without Borders (Gw/oB)
  http://www.gwob.net
  Gw/oB is a network of grantmakers focused on global social change philanthropy. Based in Boston, USA, Gw/oB links grantmakers including individual and family foundations as well as institutional grantmakers and corporate funders. The ‘Advice for Grantmakers’ section on the website is especially useful.

Philanthropy Australia
http://www.philanthropy.org.au
A non-profit membership organization based in Melbourne, Philanthropy Australia serves all funders including individual, family, foundation and corporate funders. Their website contains a wealth of information and resources for anyone interested in philanthropy in Australia, and they publish the PhilanthropyWiki http://philanthropywiki.org.au/ an online encyclopaedia and archive of knowledge on Australian philanthropy.

WINGS (Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support)
http://www.wingsweb.org
WINGS is a worldwide network that seeks to strengthen philanthropy and a culture of giving through mutual learning and support, knowledge sharing and professional development among its participants. WINGS also strives to give voice and visibility to philanthropy at a global level. The WINGS website offers a searchable database with profiles of the 140+ organizations that participate in the network, as well as 520+ philanthropic resources and publications in the WINGS eLibrary.

Organizations supporting philanthropy and civil society

Asia Pacific Philanthropy Consortium
http://www.asiapacificphilanthropy.org
Based in the Philippines, APPC is an independent association of grantmaking institutions supporting the Asia Pacific region.

Beacon Fellowship
http://www.beaconfellowship.org.uk
A UK charitable organization set up to encourage individual contributions to charitable and social causes and to celebrate and showcase best practice in giving. Beacon awards annual prizes to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to charitable causes or to organizations that benefit the public.

CEMEFI (Centro Mexicano Para La Filantropia)
http://www.cemefi.org
CEMEFI promotes philanthropy and civil society in Mexico through specialized programmes, services and research.

Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University
http://www.philanthropy.iupui.edu
A respected academic institution on philanthropy in the US, the Center has a broad variety of resources for donors, individual as well as institutional. See especially the ‘Links’ section including ‘Organizations publishing or distributing research about the nonprofit sector’ and ‘Organizations serving the nonprofit sector in the US’ for good resources.

Charities Aid Foundation
http://www.cafonline.org
Based in the UK, CAF supports donors and charities through a variety of transformational services. With offices in the US, Australia, Bulgaria, India, Russia, South Africa and Brazil (IDIS), CAF has a global footprint and many resources. See especially the ‘For Individuals’ section on the website.

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
http://www.civicus.org
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international alliance dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world, especially in areas where participatory democracy and citizens’ freedom of association are threatened. CIVICUS seeks to amplify the voices and opinions of ordinary people and it gives expression to the enormous creative energy of the burgeoning sector of civil society. CIVICUS provides a focal point for knowledge-sharing, common interest representation, global institution-building and engagement among the disparate sectors of society. It acts as an advocate for citizen participation as an essential component of governance and democracy worldwide.

FSG Social Impact Advisors
See especially their report: Breakthroughs in Shared Measurement and Social Impact http://www.fsg-impact.org/idea/item/breakthroughs_in_measurement.html

Giving in Europe
http://www.givingineurope.org
Supported by the King Baudouin Foundation in Belgium, Giving in Europe provides donors, intermediaries and beneficiaries with information about the conditions, possibilities, and best ways of engaging in cross-border philanthropy, taking into account civil, tax and philanthropic considerations. Its website currently covers 26 European countries.

The Global Media Centre
http://www.theglobalmediacentre.org
The Global Media Centre is a project of the Network of European Foundations’ Mercator Fund that works to increase the social impact of the foundation and policy community through advanced media and communications strategies.

Global Philanthropy Partnership
http://www.global-philanthropy.org
Based in Chicago, USA, GPP provides resources to promote strategic global giving.

Human Interaction Research Institute
http://www.humaninteract.org
US-based HIRI focuses on capacity-building, collaboration and philanthropy. Their founder has written widely on related topics. See especially under ‘Publications’ from September 2006: Nurturing High Impact Philanthropists: Learning groups for donors and small foundations by Thomas E Backer, PhD.

Institute for Philanthropy
http://www.instituteforphilanthropy.org.uk
Based in the UK, the Institute for Philanthropy promotes giving through education and initiatives that create donor networks. The Philanthropy Workshop helps individual donors define their mission and acquire the tools for strategic philanthropy. Other programmes reach students and corporate donors. The Institute website also has research and publications of interest to donors.

- International Fundraising Consultancy Ltd
  http://www.internationalfundraisingconsultancy.com
  International Fundraising Consultancy (IFC) is a leading management and fundraising consultancy for the voluntary sector in the UK and internationally. We provide a very broad set of consultancy options and services covering a complete range of fundraising and management techniques and disciplines. Our friendly and efficient Fundraising Consultants and Associates have years of devoted service to their favourite charities behind them.

National Center for Family Philanthropy
http://www.ncfp.org
NCFP, as the name implies, is focused on families working together in philanthropy, whether through a family foundation, community foundation, bank, religious or ethnic foundation. Based in Washington DC, NCFP has resources geared towards individual donors who prioritize family involvement in their efforts. The site has a lot of basic resource information. For information about advisers, see especially Networks and Associations for Advisors (www.ncfp.org/advisor-networks.html) on the website.

- Philanthropy UK
  http://www.philanthropyuk.org
  Philanthropy UK aims to inspire new givers, to inform and share knowledge and best practices for giving, and to connect donors with charities and resources. See especially ‘Resources’ on the website. It publishes a quarterly newsletter and fortnightly bulletins.

Putnam Consulting Group
http://www.putnam-consulting.com
Putnam Consulting Group is a global philanthropy advisory firm. For over 20 years, high net worth donors and foundations have requested Putnam’s help to transform their giving, catapult their impact, and achieve results.

Tides Foundation Canada
http://www.tidescanada.org
A national public foundation focused on the environment, social justice and innovation in the non-profit sector. See especially ‘Solutions for Individuals and Families’ on their website.

Donor advisers

- Allavida
  http://www.allavida.org
  Based in Kenya, Allavida will identify and evaluate local partners for larger foundations and individual donors.

- Family Firm Institute
  http://www.ffi.org
  The Family Firm Institute (FFI) is an international professional membership organization dedicated to providing interdisciplinary education and networking opportunities for family business and family wealth advisors, consultants, educators and researchers and to increasing public awareness about trends and developments in the family business and family wealth fields.

- Forum for Active Philanthropy
  http://www.activephilanthropy.org
  Founded in Berlin, Germany, Active Philanthropy is a charitable platform for families and individuals interested or already engaged in philanthropy. It helps donors from all over Europe to develop and strengthen their personal giving strategy. Active Philanthropy supports donors by providing reports on funding areas and guides on methods and skills of strategic philanthropy, workshops and field trips bringing together people who are interested in the same funding area or management issue and facilitating an exchange with peers and experts, and by individual consulting on all questions that may arise during the process of a philanthropic involvement.

- International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy
  http://www.advisorsinphilanthropy.org
  A US network of professional philanthropic advisers with a searchable directory.

- Kris Putnam-Walkerly
  http://www.putnam-consulting.com
  Kris Putnam-Walkerly serves as a trusted advisor to foundation leaders and high-wealth donors across the globe.

- The More You Give
  http://www.themoreyougive.co.uk
  The More You Give, located in the UK, works with wealthy individuals and national and global companies to develop their giving strategies and link them with causes that inspire them.

- National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers
  http://www.nncg.org
  A project of the Tides Center (www.tidescenter.org), NNCG is a relatively new organization based in Los Angeles, USA, to link philanthropy consultants and donor advisers. Their directory lists affiliated individuals and organizations.

- New Philanthropy Capital
  http://www.philanthropycapital.org
  Based in the UK, NPC is a research-based charity that advises donors and funders how to give more effectively.

- The Philanthropic Initiative
  http://www.tpi.org
  TPI is a US-based non-profit philanthropic consulting firm that provides strategic planning and programmatic services to individual donors, families, foundations and corporations. See especially ‘Resources’ on the website.

- Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
  http://www.rockpa.org
  One of the world’s largest philanthropy services, RPA helps donors create thoughtful, effective philanthropy throughout the world.

- Strategic Philanthropy Ltd
  http://www.stratphilanthropy.com
  Strategic Philanthropy is a global philanthropic advisory practice, based in Chicago, USA.

- Synergos
  http://www.synergos.org
  Founded in 1986, Synergos builds and supports networks of leaders engaged in efforts to reduce poverty and increase equity around the world. Synergos works with philanthropists and civil society leaders and with community-based groups, businesses, governments, foundations and international organizations. Individual donors should see especially the ‘Global Philanthropists Circle’, which networks philanthropic families from around the globe.

wise partnership
http://www.wise.net
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, wise partnership serves donors and their families and helps them to fulfil their philanthropic aspirations.

Giving circles and peer networks

- Chicago Global Donors Network
  http://www.chicagoglobaldonors.org
  A network for globally minded donors in metropolitan Chicago, USA.

- Clarence Foundation
  http://www.theclarencefoundation.org
  Organizes global giving circles in the San Francisco Bay Area and in select cities throughout the US.

- Climate Change Philanthropy Action Network
  http://www.climatephilanthropists.org
  A global network of philanthropists and foundations committed to addressing climate change through strategic philanthropy.

- filia die frauenstiftung
  http://www.filia-frauenstiftung.de
  The only German Women’s Foundation which funds women’s projects worldwide. They also support Women’s Funds of the INWF.

- Forum of Regional Association of Grantmakers
  http://www.givingforum.org
  The website of the US-based Forum has a ‘Giving Circles Knowledge Center’ with relevant studies, reports and information.

The Funding Network
http://www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk
TFN aims to create social change through collective giving. Its events bring together individuals and innovative charitable projects. Based in London, TFN has affiliated groups across the UK, in Canada, and in South Africa.

- Giving Circles Network
  http://www.givingcircles.org
  Based in the US, GCN aims to assist giving circles and other individual donors in making their contributions more meaningful by helping them to better network among themselves, leverage their resources, and enhance the impact of their giving.

Global Philanthropy Forum
http://www.philanthropyforum.org
A project of the World Affairs Council of San Francisco, GPF brings together globally minded donors primarily from northern California.

- National Network of Consultants to granmakers (NNCG)
  http://www.nncg.org
  Founded in 2006, NNCG’s mission is to increase the quality, effectiveness and capacity of grantmakers by mobilizing and strengthening the work of knowledgeable, ethical, and experienced consultants. Members benefit from peer networking and educational offerings that help to hone best practices and increase their impact. NNCG also serves as a national forum for cooperative involvement in addressing the principal issues, trends and challenges facing the field of philanthropy.

- Network for Social Change
  http://www.thenetworkforsocialchange.org.uk
  Based in London, UK, the Network has grown to over 100 members who raise about £1 million a year for social change efforts.

- Social Venture Partners International
  http://www.svpi.org
  With affiliates in 26 locations across the US, Canada and Japan, SVPI promotes engaged philanthropy drawing on a variety of resources: money, time and expertise.

Women’s Funding Network
http://www.wfnet.org
WFN is a worldwide network of women’s funds and donors.

Pooled funds including diaspora funds

- Acumen Fund
  http://www.acumenfund.org
  Acumen is a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve problems of global poverty.

- American India Foundation
  http://www.aifoundation.org
  AIF supports South Asian diaspora communities in the US who are interested in giving to promote social and economic change in India.

- Asian Foundation for Philanthropy
  http://www.affp.org.uk
  The Asian Foundation is a UK-based charity supporting the South Asian diaspora of Britain who are focused on social and economic development in India.

- Give2Asia
  http://www.give2asia.org
  Founded by the Asia Foundation, Give2Asia works with charities in Asia to channel support from the US while building capacity.

- Global Fund for Children
  http://www.globalfundforchildren.org
  GFC supports organizations to benefit children worldwide.

- Global Fund for Women
  http://www.globalfundforwomen.org
  GFW supports organizations to benefit women worldwide.

Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
http://www.theglobalfund.org
Channels funds to local organizations to fight three of the world’s most devastating diseases.

- Global Greengrants Fund
  http://www.greengrants.org
  Greengrants is the world’s leader in providing small grants ($500-$5,000) to grassroots socio-environmental groups around the globe. Over the past 15 years, Greengrants has made thousands of grants in more than 120 countries around issues including climate justice, indigenous rights, water access, and sustainable agriculture. Their innovative model enables them to direct strategic resources to locally-based organizations in developing regions with few other sources of funding.

- Mamacash
  http://www.mamacash.org
  Mama Cash is a grantmaking organization supporting pioneering and innovative women’s initiatives worldwide.

- Network of European Foundations
  http://www.nefic.org
  Based in Brussels, NEF’s aim is to develop cooperation between foundations in Europe. It is also open to collaboration with the public and private sectors in developing its initiatives. Its areas of intervention to promote systemic social change include: migration, European citizenship, support for the European integration process, youth empowerment, and global European projects.

Internet giving platforms

- GiveIndia
  http://www.GiveIndia.org
  GiveIndia is a donation platform that allows people to give online to Indian NGOs that have been scrutinized for transparency and credibility.

- GlobalGiving
  http://www.globalgiving.com
  Operates very much like GiveIndia, above, except that its reach is global.

- Just Giving
  http://www.justgiving.com
  An online fundraising portal through which donors can donate directly to charities registered with the site as well as create their own fundraising pages for challenge events and other initiatives.

- Kiva
  http://www.kiva.org
  Kiva is a person-to-person microlending website, allowing subscribers to connect with and make personal loans to low-income entrepreneurs in the developing world.

Publications

- Global Giving Matters
  http://www.synergos.org/globalgivingmatters
  A publication of the Synergos Institute, GGM provides coverage of global giving events and profiles international donors.

- A Guide to Giving, Susan Mackenzie (ed), Philanthropy UK, 2005. Available from http://www.philanthropyuk.org/AGuidetoGiving

- Just Money: A Critique of contemporary American Philanthropy, H Peter Karoff (ed), TPI editions, 2004. Available from http://www.tpi.org

Looking Out for the Future: An orientation for twenty-first century philanthropists, Katherine Fulton and Andrew Blau, 2006. Available from http://www.futureofphilanthropy.org

- on:Philanthropy
  http://www.onphilanthropy.com
  Created by Changing our World (www.changingourworld.com), a for-profit philanthropic consulting group in New York, on:Philanthropy is a free global resource meant for use by non-profit groups and philanthropy professionals. Creating and compiling articles and newsletters on a broad cross-section of philanthropy topics, on:Philanthropy is a good place to search for information.

Philanthropy UK Newsletter. Published quarterly, this provides news on developments in philanthropy in the UK and elsewhere. Philanthropy UK also publishes a fortnightly News Bulletin.
To subscribe, see http://www.philanthropyuk.org/Home

Blogs

Philanthropy2173
http://philanthropy.blogspot.com/
Philanthropy2173 is an award-winning blog about the business of giving.

Philanthropy 411 Blog

http://www.putnam-consulting.com

Read this popular philanthropy blog to keep up with the latest news, trends, tips, webinars and case studies on every aspect of giving and grantmaking. It is written by global philanthropy expert, advisor and award-winning author Kris Putnam-Walkerly.