New Acquisitions - Foundations

This bibliography includes recent works on the theory, philosophy and workings of foundations (excluding company-sponsored foundations), including administration and management, grantmaking, history, and trends.

Austin, Algernon; McGill, Lawrence T. Proceedings from the first annual Research/Practitioner Forum: the state of research on diversity in philanthropy. New York, NY: Foundation Center, 2008. 35 p. A 010 RPF
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Summarizes the discussions that took place at the Researcher/Practitioner Forum which was held on September 27 and 28, 2007. The Forum was co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations, ARNOVA, and the Foundation Center, and was made possible with a grant from the Lumina Foundation.

Anft, Michael. "A $1-billion call for change." Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 20 (26 June 2008): p. 12, 14-5.

A profile of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation. The foundation was launched in 2007 by the former secretary of commerce under President Richard Nixon, with the goal of strengthening the fiscal health of the United States. The Peterson foundation is seen as unusual in comparison to others, in that rather than utilizing a bottom-up approach to solving isolated social problems, Peterson's method is to educate the general public to bring systematic change to the American economy.

Biggs, Genevieve. Ecotourism as a conservation strategy for funders: a background briefing. New York, NY: Environmental Grantmakers Association, 2008. 28 p. Subject file: 220
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An overview of ecotourism, a newly popular movement which many have touted as an excellent way to fund environmental causes and benefit the development of poor nations. However, many are also doubtful of its effectiveness; this report analyzes the positive and negative aspects of ecotourism with the aim of helping private foundations address ecotourism's challenges and find ways of rendering "green travel" effective and beneficial for all. Includes a resource list and a chart of foundations engaged in ecotourism funding.

Coffman, Julia. Foundations and public policy grantmaking. San Francisco, CA: James Irvine Foundation, 2008. 21 p. Subject file: 524
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Explores how a foundation can frame, focus, and advance efforts to achieve policy reforms in its program areas. The report discusses the framework for developing strategies in public policy grantmaking, examines current grantmaking trends, and offers lessons for foundations to consider when developing their strategy. Includes several case studies.

Confronting the climate challenge: incorporating climate change into your funding strategies. New York, NY: Environmental Grantmakers Association, 2008. 8 p. Subject file: 222
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Written for grantmakers, the document explains key climate change issues and identifies potential funding opportunities. With bibliographical references.

Deutsch, Ted. Why supporting advocacy makes sense for foundations. Bermuda: Atlantic Philanthropies, 2008. 18 p. Subject file: 524
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Discusses the reasons why foundations should consider investing in advocacy. Also provides examples of successful advocacy efforts funded by foundations, questions to consider before engaging in advocacy funding, and tips on how to fund effectively.

Directory of Indiana grantmakers. 11th ed. Indianapolis, IN: Indiana Grantmakers Alliance, 2008. v, 532 p plus appendices. ISBN 1-886445-16-8 ($200) 120 IN 2008

A listing of active grantmaking foundations, trusts, and scholarship programs within Indiana, and other grantmakers outside the state with interests in Indiana. Entries are brief and include contact information, establishment date, giving interests, types of support, officers, and application information. With numerous appendices.

Ferris, James M.; Ferree, Anne; Park, Minsun. Foundation support for nonprofit capital needs in Southern California. Los Angeles, CA: Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy, 2007. 22 p. Subject file: 418

Tracks the amount of capital support provided by foundations to nonprofits in Southern California, encompassing the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Focuses on three major types of capital support: capital campaigns, building and renovation, and land acquisition. Includes appendices.

Foundation Center. FC Search: the Foundation Center's database on CD-ROM [CD-ROM]. Version 12.0. New York, NY: Foundation Center, 2008. ($1195 single-user version) A 070 FC 2007

This publication contains information on nearly 91,000 U.S. grantmakers--foundations, corporate givers, and grantmaking public charities. Includes the names of nearly 450,000 trustees, officers, and donors of these foundations and corporate funders. Lists over 400,000 recent grants by the largest foundations. Provides the ability to link directly to the most current 990-PF tax return available, as well as Web sites of more than 15,000 grantmakers and 4,000 corporations. Updated semi-annually. Includes user manual.

Foundation Center. Grants for capacity building, management & technical assistance. New York, NY: Foundation Center, 2008. xxi, 364 p. ISBN 1-59542-189-0 REF GRA 014

Lists 9,134 grants of $10,000 or more made by 728 foundations, mostly in 2005 and 2006. The guide covers grants for capacity building, operational, and management assistance including: fundraising assistance, accounting, budgeting and financial planning, strategic and long-range planning, program planning and evaluation, legal advice, developing marketing plans, leadership development and staff training, hiring senior management staff or outside consultants, and general nonprofit management. Grants are indexed by recipient name, location, and subject. The introduction includes a statistical analysis.

Foundation Center. Grants for community & economic development, housing & employment. New York, NY: Foundation Center, 2008. xxiii, 787 p. ISBN 1-59542-188-2 REF GRA 013

Lists 26,362 grants of $10,000 or more made by 1,045 foundations, mostly in 2005 and 2006. The guide covers grants for economic development in both urban and rural areas, including international economic and agricultural development, business promotion (including Chambers of Commerce), management services for small businesses, nonprofit management, community funds and federated giving programs, community service clubs, and employment and vocational training programs. It also covers grants for housing development, construction and rehabilitation, housing search assistance, low-cost temporary housing (including temporary shelter for the homeless), home owners/renters organizations and housing support services. Grants are indexed by recipient name, location, and subject. The introduction includes a statistical analysis.

Foundation Center; Wyszomierski, Sara (ed.) Guide to funding for international and foreign programs. 9th ed. New York, NY: Foundation Center, 2008. xxxiii, 791 p. ($125) 330 FC INT

Directory provides information on 1,281 U.S. grantmaking foundations, 81 direct corporate giving programs, and 610 public charities that have shown a substantial interest in international and foreign programs, either as part of their stated purpose or through actual grants of $10,000 or more in the latest year of record. Lists 11,009 grants for 290 of the foundations in this volume; these grants represent almost $4 billion in support of organizations concerned with international and foreign affairs. Includes advice on researching foundations and seeking grants from corporations, a glossary of important terms, and a selected bibliography. Entries are arranged alphabetically by foundation name within state, and provide address and telephone number; financial data; information on purpose and activities, fields of interest, types of support, and limitations; application procedure; officers and directors; and, for some foundations, a listing of recent grants for international programs. Indexed by donors, officers, and trustees; geographic location and preference; types of support; subject; and name of grantmaker.

Frazier, Eric. "Curing career frustration." Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 20 (29 May 2008): p. CE3, CE7.

Addresses the isolation and conflicted sentiments felt by foundation program officers, who often feel cut off from both the grassroots activists who seek their grants, and the wealthy founders and board members who employ them. In response, some are advocating increased training, education, and professionalism for the grantmaking field, while many others feel that imposing such one-size-fits-all professionalism will only increase grantmakers' difficulties.

Grantee perception report and applicant perception report, prepared for the Kresge Foundation. Cambridge, MA: Center for Effective Philanthropy, 2007. 21 p. Subject file: 528
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This survey, prepared by the Center for Effective Philanthropy, evaluates the Kresge Foundation based on its perception by its grantees and declined applicants. Grantees' perceptions are compared as percentiles against perception data collected for 132 other surveyed foundations, while the applicant perceptions are compared against data collected from nearly 20 other surveyed foundations. Results are presented using graphs, and include selected comments from survey respondents.

Hesterman, Bryce. Green beyond grants volume II: cutting carbon. New York, NY: Environmental Grantmakers Association, 2008. 18 p. Subject file: 222
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Noting that carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas linked to global warming, the pamphlet provides suggestions to help foundations and other groups measure, reduce, and offset the carbon dioxide released from their activities and programs.

Key facts on Alabama foundations. Atlanta, GA: Foundation Center--Atlanta, 2008. 2 p. Subject file: 418
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Presents a snapshot of 686 independent, corporate, community, and grantmaking operating foundations in Alabama in 2006.

Key facts on Florida foundations. Atlanta, GA: Foundation Center--Atlanta, 2008. 2 p. Subject file: 418
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Presents a snapshot of 3,874 independent, corporate, community, and grantmaking operating foundations in Florida in 2006.

Lawrence, Steven; Mukai, Reina. Foundation growth and giving estimates: current outlook. 2008 ed. New York, NY: Foundation Center, 2008. 13 p. 401 FC TOD 2008 Part 2
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This is volume two of the "Foundations Today Series," a three-part annual publication on the current state of foundations and their giving. Provides a first look at estimates of foundation giving for 2007, final statistics on actual giving and assets for 2006, and the outlook for giving in 2008. A sidebar discusses the impact of pharmaceutical foundations that provide in-kind giving to individuals. Accompanied by numerous charts and graphs.

LGBTQ Grantmakers: 2008 report card on racial equity. New York, NY: Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues, 2008. 36 p. Subject file: 159
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A research report detailing the extent to which 19 foundations that support gay and lesbian issues have incorporated racial equity into their grantmaking and operations. The report measures racial equity across five areas: grantmaking, governing documents, policies and practices, demographics and leadership, and strategic communications.

McGill, Lawrence T.; Austin, Algernon; Bryan, Brielle. Embracing diversity: foundation giving benefiting California's communities of color. New York, NY: Foundation Center, 2008. vii, 26 p. Subject file: 418
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The study analyzed 6,951 domestically focused grants awarded by 50 large independent foundations to California-based nonprofits in 2005. The research findings indicate that previously available data on foundation grantmaking has undercounted the amount of giving that benefits communities of color.

Michaels, Marty. "Finding their voice: grant makers seek new ways to share stories." Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 20 (1 May 2008): p. 7, 10, 12.

Discusses how foundations are improving the ways in which they educate the public about what they do and how they operate. Some foundations have expanded their communications departments in an effort to improve outreach efforts, and many are embracing Web 2.0 technologies as a way to reach a larger audience.

Perry, Suzanne. "New agenda: former Congressman seeks to recast grant-maker organization as a leader in the world of philanthropy." Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 20 (15 May 2008): p. 14-5.

A profile of Steve Gunderson, head of the Council on Foundations. The article discusses the ways in which the Council has changed under Gunderson's leadership, with a stronger focus on government relations than in previous years. While many applaud his work on the council, some leaders in government and philanthropy have offered criticisms of Gunderson's approach.

Philanthropy's awareness deficit: results from a survey of engaged Americans. Los Altos, CA: David and Lucile Packard Foundation, 2008. 14 p. Subject file: 418
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A survey of individuals holding leadership, committee, or board-level roles in organizations handling community or social issues, concerning knowledge of foundation work. The survey finds that the majority of engaged Americans have very little understanding of what foundations do or how they operate, but that most nonetheless express positive feelings toward foundations and their social value. Includes detailed survey results.

Powell, Mark E. "Would they do it anyway?" Trusts & Estates, vol. 147 (June 2008): p. 45-8, 50-1. Subject file: 915

Identifies key issues that estate planners should discuss with their clients before establishing a private foundation. The author explores the advantages and disadvantages of foundations and donor-advised funds. Issues examined include costs, control, complexity, privacy, family participation, and other topics.

"A powerful tool for grantmakers." Essentials, (Summer 2008): p. 1-3.

The brief article on program-related investments (PRIs) describes the various types of PRIs; explains the benefits for foundation and grantees; and provides questions to consider for foundations interested in making PRIs.

Spotlight on funding for the environment and animals in California. San Francisco, CA: Foundation Center--San Francisco, 2008. 2 p. Subject file: 220
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An overview of foundation giving for the environment and animals in California for 2006. Includes a list of top funders and grant recipients.

Wright-Violich, Kim; Geison, Christopher W. "Breaking up is (not so) hard to do." Trusts & Estates, vol. 147 (June 2008): p. 52-5. Subject file: 915

Discusses legal issues to consider when terminating a private foundation and outlines a five-step process.

Spotlight: Alabama: HIV/AIDS, AIDS organizations, and private foundation support in Alabama, 2000-2005. New York, NY: Funders Concerned About AIDS, 2008. 32 p. Subject file: 235
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A three-part report on philanthropic support for AIDS organizations in Alabama. Part 1 discusses the context for private philanthropy, profiling the prevalence of AIDS in Alabama over a range of years, as well as other health and poverty statistics. Part 2 examines trends in private philanthropic support for the state's AIDS service organizations between 2000 and 2005. Part 3 identifies key opportunities for funders. Includes appendices.