While most foundations support organizations by providing grants, some grantmakers also provide program-related investments (PRIs) in the form of loans or loan guarantees to finance charitable projects. While the number of foundations that make PRIs is relatively low, more foundations are using PRIs to support various initiatives, including community development projects.
In the April 2008 issue of Trusts & Estates, David T. Leibell and Daniel L. Daniels explain that there may be a new way for foundations to make these social investments and to practice venture philanthropy. It involves a new legal entity, the low-profit limited liability company (L3C), which can seek PRIs and raise funds from private investors as well. The article, “Say Hello to the L3C" indicates that a few states are considering legislation that would authorize the entities, including North Carolina and Vermont.
If you would like to learn more about PRIs or L3Cs, try exploring the links below:
The Foundation Center’s FAQ “What Is a Program-Related Investment?"
PRI Makers Network (for grantmakers)
Americans for Community Development (a coalition that promotes the L3C)
You can also search the Catalog of Nonprofit Literature by using the subjects Program-Related Investments or Venture Philanthropy.
4/23/2008
Readings on Diversity in the Philanthropic Sector
How can you learn more about diversity in the nonprofit sector? The Foundation Center has released a new bibliography that explores this topic, with sections that cover philanthropy for specific communities, including the economically disadvantaged, ethnic and racial minorities; women; the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community; people with disabilities; and rural communities. The bibliography also notes resources that focus on board and staff diversity, as well as guides and toolkits for promoting diversity.
Click here to download Diversity in Philanthropy: A Comprehensive Bibliography of Resources Related to Diversity Within the Philanthropic and Nonprofit Sectors.
Click here to download Diversity in Philanthropy: A Comprehensive Bibliography of Resources Related to Diversity Within the Philanthropic and Nonprofit Sectors.
4/18/2008
Researching Individual Donors
You have asked been asked to strengthen your prospect research skills so that you can better identify and qualify potential donors. Where would you begin? You can start by exploring the resources listed in the Foundation Center's FAQ, “Where can I find information on cultivating donors?” If you are located near our library/learning centers, attend our Prospect Research Basics class to learn about the search process and tools.
When you are at the library, discover more tips from our collection of books, including the new, updated edition of Prospect Research: A Primer for Growing Nonprofits (Jones and Barlett 2008) by Cecilia Hogan at the University of Puget Sound. The guide provides advice on a variety of topics including research planning, prospect screening, prospect tracking, and research tools. In a new chapter, Hogan explains how to use special formulas and calculations to estimate an individual’s giving capacity. You will also find useful documents in the appendix, including sample prospect research request forms to help streamline your procedures within your organization.
For additional information for prospect researchers, visit the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement’s web site.
When you are at the library, discover more tips from our collection of books, including the new, updated edition of Prospect Research: A Primer for Growing Nonprofits (Jones and Barlett 2008) by Cecilia Hogan at the University of Puget Sound. The guide provides advice on a variety of topics including research planning, prospect screening, prospect tracking, and research tools. In a new chapter, Hogan explains how to use special formulas and calculations to estimate an individual’s giving capacity. You will also find useful documents in the appendix, including sample prospect research request forms to help streamline your procedures within your organization.
For additional information for prospect researchers, visit the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement’s web site.
4/15/2008
Civil Society: A Collection of Country Reports
What does civil society, the social arena beyond the government and the market, look like in different countries? To answer this question, you can start with the CIVICUS Global Survey of the State of Civil Society (Kumarian Press 2007).
Volume 1 contains brief profiles for 44 countries, including Argentina, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Uganda and others. Each profile contains a historical overview of civil society in the country, and examines four specific dimensions related to civil society: size and composition; the social, political and economic environment; principles and values; and the measured impact. The findings and recommendations in the volume are based on the work of researchers and civil society experts around the world who collaborated on the Civil Society Index project.
To examine more detailed reports of each country, visit the Civil Society Index web site.
Volume 1 contains brief profiles for 44 countries, including Argentina, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, Uganda and others. Each profile contains a historical overview of civil society in the country, and examines four specific dimensions related to civil society: size and composition; the social, political and economic environment; principles and values; and the measured impact. The findings and recommendations in the volume are based on the work of researchers and civil society experts around the world who collaborated on the Civil Society Index project.
To examine more detailed reports of each country, visit the Civil Society Index web site.
4/10/2008
Grant Proposal Advice in Spanish
Many of you are familiar with the Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing by Jane Geever. The 5th edition was released early last year and included a new chapter on the evaluation component of the proposal. For individuals who would benefit from a Spanish-language version of the Guide, we have just published a translation of this 5th edition: Guía para escribir propuestas.
A colleague at the Foundation Center noted, “La Guía es un excelente recurso para las organizaciones que empiezan a solicitar fondos de fundaciones. Si necesita explicaciones detalladas en español, aquí tiene el recurso perfecto."
Click here for the table of contents
Tip: For additional resources, browse our Spanish-language resource list.
A colleague at the Foundation Center noted, “La Guía es un excelente recurso para las organizaciones que empiezan a solicitar fondos de fundaciones. Si necesita explicaciones detalladas en español, aquí tiene el recurso perfecto."
Click here for the table of contents
Tip: For additional resources, browse our Spanish-language resource list.
4/07/2008
Association Membership Dues
Membership dues continue to be a significant source of revenue for associations. If you happen to be assigned to review the dues structure at your association, ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership has released a book that may help with your task:
Membership Essentials: Recruitment, Retention, Roles, Responsibilities, and Resources (edited by Sheri Jacobs and Carylann Assante)
Go straight to Chapter 6 and learn about the benefits and drawbacks of calendar year and anniversary billing. Ready for a dues increase? Read about the different types of increases and find out the best way to communicate the increases to your members. The chapter includes a case study of how the Independent Sector successfully revised its dues structure.
In addition to dues, you should also be measuring your membership acquisitions and renewal costs. How much does it cost to serve a member? How much value does the member offer to the association? Find out about these calculations in Chapter 14.
Are you interested in other readings? Search the Catalog of Nonprofit Literature for more readings on associations.
Membership Essentials: Recruitment, Retention, Roles, Responsibilities, and Resources (edited by Sheri Jacobs and Carylann Assante)
Go straight to Chapter 6 and learn about the benefits and drawbacks of calendar year and anniversary billing. Ready for a dues increase? Read about the different types of increases and find out the best way to communicate the increases to your members. The chapter includes a case study of how the Independent Sector successfully revised its dues structure.
In addition to dues, you should also be measuring your membership acquisitions and renewal costs. How much does it cost to serve a member? How much value does the member offer to the association? Find out about these calculations in Chapter 14.
Are you interested in other readings? Search the Catalog of Nonprofit Literature for more readings on associations.
4/04/2008
Fundraising Campaigns: From the Quiet Phase to the Public Phase
Capital campaigns often will have a private phase where an organization would secure leadership gifts before making a public announcement about the campaign. By the time the public phase begins, supporters are more likely to offer donations when they see that the campaign is off to a successful start. So when should you launch the public phase?
A recent article in the journal Nonprofit Management and Leadership (Volume 18, Issue 3) indicates that fundraisers should delay the public phase as long as possible, and should avoid making a public announcement until at least 40% of the goal has been reached.
In the article, “Three-Phase Capital Campaigns,” Wesley E. Lindahl also notes that the survey data shows a "goal line" phase (when 95% of the goal has been achieved) when donors have a high propensity to give.
When do you start your public phase? Does your organization take advantage of the goal line stage?
A recent article in the journal Nonprofit Management and Leadership (Volume 18, Issue 3) indicates that fundraisers should delay the public phase as long as possible, and should avoid making a public announcement until at least 40% of the goal has been reached.
In the article, “Three-Phase Capital Campaigns,” Wesley E. Lindahl also notes that the survey data shows a "goal line" phase (when 95% of the goal has been achieved) when donors have a high propensity to give.
When do you start your public phase? Does your organization take advantage of the goal line stage?
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