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.
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- 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.
- Council on Foundations
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- 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.
- European Foundation Centre
- 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.
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- 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.
- Grantmakers Without Borders (Gw/oB)
- 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.
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- 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.
- International Fundraising Consultancy Ltd
- 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.
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- 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.
- Philanthropy UK
- 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
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- Allavida
http://www.allavida.org
Based in Kenya, Allavida will identify and evaluate local partners for larger foundations and individual donors.
- Allavida
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- 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.
- Family Firm Institute
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- 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.
- Forum for Active Philanthropy
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- International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy
http://www.advisorsinphilanthropy.org
A US network of professional philanthropic advisers with a searchable directory.
- International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy
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- 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.
- Kris Putnam-Walkerly
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- 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.
- The More You Give
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- 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.
- National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers
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- 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.
- New Philanthropy Capital
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- 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.
- The Philanthropic Initiative
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- 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.
- Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
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- Strategic Philanthropy Ltd
http://www.stratphilanthropy.com
Strategic Philanthropy is a global philanthropic advisory practice, based in Chicago, USA.
- Strategic Philanthropy Ltd
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- 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.
- Synergos
- 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
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- Chicago Global Donors Network
http://www.chicagoglobaldonors.org
A network for globally minded donors in metropolitan Chicago, USA.
- Chicago Global Donors Network
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- Clarence Foundation
http://www.theclarencefoundation.org
Organizes global giving circles in the San Francisco Bay Area and in select cities throughout the US.
- Clarence Foundation
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- Climate Change Philanthropy Action Network
http://www.climatephilanthropists.org
A global network of philanthropists and foundations committed to addressing climate change through strategic philanthropy.
- Climate Change Philanthropy Action Network
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- 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.
- filia die frauenstiftung
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- 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.
- Forum of Regional Association of Grantmakers
- 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.
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- 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.
- Giving Circles Network
- 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.
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- 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.
- National Network of Consultants to granmakers (NNCG)
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- 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.
- Network for Social Change
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- 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.
- Social Venture Partners International
- Women’s Funding Network
http://www.wfnet.org
WFN is a worldwide network of women’s funds and donors.
Pooled funds including diaspora funds
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- Acumen Fund
http://www.acumenfund.org
Acumen is a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve problems of global poverty.
- Acumen Fund
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- 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.
- American India Foundation
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- 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.
- Asian Foundation for Philanthropy
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- 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.
- Give2Asia
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- Global Fund for Children
http://www.globalfundforchildren.org
GFC supports organizations to benefit children worldwide.
- Global Fund for Children
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- Global Fund for Women
http://www.globalfundforwomen.org
GFW supports organizations to benefit women worldwide.
- Global Fund for Women
- 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.
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- 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.
- Global Greengrants Fund
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- Mamacash
http://www.mamacash.org
Mama Cash is a grantmaking organization supporting pioneering and innovative women’s initiatives worldwide.
- Mamacash
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- 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.
- Network of European Foundations
Internet giving platforms
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- 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.
- GiveIndia
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- GlobalGiving
http://www.globalgiving.com
Operates very much like GiveIndia, above, except that its reach is global.
- GlobalGiving
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- 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.
- Just Giving
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- 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.
- Kiva
Publications
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- 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.
- Global Giving Matters
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- A Guide to Giving, Susan Mackenzie (ed), Philanthropy UK, 2005. Available from http://www.philanthropyuk.org/AGuidetoGiving
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- 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
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- 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.
- on:Philanthropy
- 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.
Other links
Voluntary Sector Review
http://www.policypress.co.uk/journals_vsr.asp
Voluntary Sector Review, the first European journal to publish high-quality, peer-reviewed, accessible papers on third sector research, policy and practice, published by The Policy Press, in association with the Voluntary Sector Studies Network. Free online trials are available to institutions by emailing tpp-vsr-trial@bristol.ac.uk.
Netzkraft Movement
http://www.netzkraft.net
The Netzkraft Movement is a multidisciplinary, international network of currently 1000 organizations throughout the world who act for ecological, social, political or spiritual objectives, principle of solidarity. Addresses Human Rights, Sustainability, Peace, Environment, Alternative Economy, Media Projects, Integration, The Third World and other important subjects.
LabforCulture.org is an online platform for European arts and culture, with edited information in five languages and a growing social networking space covering content that crosses physical, cultural and imaginative borders.
First Friday fundraising clinics
http://www.internationalfundraisingconsultancy.com
International Fundraising Consultancy have launched free fundraising clinics on the first Friday of every month from 2-5pm at The Hub Kings Cross, 34b York Way, London. Visit the link above for more information.