Your best shot for long-term results

Richard Best details many of the downsides of collaboration in organized philanthropy. He touts the virtues of independent action. This may be prudent for a particular project – be it research or development – if you can afford it and when it leads to unencumbered findings or action. But I come from a world where sufficient resources and sustainable outcomes can be achieved only through collaborative effort.

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Can community foundations lead community change?

Almost a decade ago, the Ford Foundation embarked upon an ambitious strategy to demonstrate that community philanthropy organizations could function as effective agents to expand economic, racial and social equity in the US. The goal was to increase the influence of local leaders in the non-profit, government and business sectors on promoting access and opportunity for local residents. This article looks at two community foundations and communities that Ford supported as part of this strategy.

The Foundation for the Mid South

New WINGS report highlights impact of community foundations

The 2010 Global Status Report on Community Foundations, launched at WINGSForum in Lake Como last November, is a complete departure from earlier editions of the report. Whereas earlier editions focused almost exclusively on the growth and distribution of community foundations, the current report also describes their role and impact. It investigates global trends, assesses the contribution of support organizations, describes relations with donors, and tells stories about work they are doing.

Joining up support for community philanthropy

Three community foundation infrastructure groups have decided to join forces.  The Global Fund for Community Foundations, the Transatlantic Community Foundation Network, and WINGS-CF are exploring how to deliver a seamless service.

The new organization will discharge what have been identified as six vital functions:

More than the Poor Cousin?

In June 2010 the Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF) launched a study, ‘More than the Poor Cousin? The emergence of community foundations as a new development paradigm‘. The study proposes that: Click here to read ...

Investing in transformational leadership

‘It’s hard to see the future with tears in your eyes.’ This Native American proverb poignantly characterized many of the residents of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin after the town’s largest employer was purchased by an international company and 500 jobs were lost, resulting in a 40 per cent reduction in employment. However, with support from the local community foundation and an innovative approach to training community leaders, anger and despondency has begun to turn into something more positive. Click here to read ...

When all that glitters is not gold . . .

Reading the sorry saga of the Prešov Community Foundation in the September edition of Alliance, there must have been many who muttered, ‘There but for the grace of God – or Allah, or your chosen deity – go I.’ I know I certainly did. The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland acted as a delivery mechanism for EU funds for over a decade, under the PEACE I and PEACE II Programmes (1995-2007). These were very generous and well-intentioned funding packages made available to underpin the Northern Ireland peace process.

Government contract proves undoing of Slovak community foundation

Prešov Community Foundation faces financial ruin and closure because the country’s Ministry of Education has reneged on a contract it made with them to deliver a programme, forcing them to foot the bill for virtually the entire project. The following tells the story with excerpts from open letters written by Katarina Minarova, director of Prešov Community Foundation, and by the Association of Slovak Community Foundations. Opposite, Jenny Hodgson comments. Click here to read ...

Mexican community foundations playing important role, but challenges remain

A new study of 21 community foundations in Mexico reports that community foundations are strengthening the civic fabric and playing a pivotal role in growing a new type of philanthropy in Mexican communities. According to 2007 financial information, in spite of their relatively fledgling character, the community foundations have raised more than US$30.8 million in assets since their founding, principally from local, private sources, a figure which places Mexico at the forefront of Latin America’s grassroots philanthropy.

‘Future Matters’ reports from Community Philanthropy

Community Philanthropy has launched three reports to help community philanthropy organizations better understand and adapt to the changing world and shifting community needs around them. Community Foundations and Social Enterprise looks at the ways in which community foundations are supporting social enterprise development in their communities; Communities on the Move: Community Philanthropy, Immigrants and Giving explores how community foundations are working with immigrant communities; and Community Philanthropy and Social Media provides an update on the use of media, changes in user behaviour and expectations about information that community philanthropy organizations should consider.