Information & grantmaker resources on philanthropy in the current economy
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Grantmaker Networks
There are several organizations which have arisen to help grantmakers share resources across organizational boundaries. Broadly speaking, these organizations fall into several different categories, on the basis of issues targeted by members, identity of populations served by members, identity of individual members or organizations, and based on certain ideas of professional development. There are some groups which could fall into multiple classifications.
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- Issue-Based Affinity Groups
These groups have members who come together because they are all concerned with a particular issue area or areas on which the members focus their philanthropic practice. Examples would include affinity groups that provide common ground for grantmakers whose practice areas include scientific research and medical treatment funding (Funders Concerned with AIDS) or that unify grantmakers dedicated to limiting the spread of nuclear and biological arms and enhancing the capability of cooperative efforts to provide international human security (Peace and Security Funders Group). - Identity-Based Affinity Groups
These groups focus on the identity of the populations served by grantmakers as the point of unity among them. Examples would include groups dedicated to increasing philanthropic resources to particular communities (Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy) or correcting social inequalities that fall along the lines of identity (Women and Philanthropy). Many such groups may also be thought of as Issue-Based affinity groups. - Organization-Based Affinity Groups
These grups focus either on the identity of the grantmaking agency as an organization, or on the identity of the staff or executives at each organization, and serve to convene people working in philanthropy who may have similar challenges. Examples include affinity groups based on foundation size or type (Association of Small Foundations) or the identity of foundation staff themselves (Association of Black Foundation Executives). The key unifying factor of these groups is that they are all focused on looking at the organizations themselves. - Practice-Based Affinity Groups
These groups are an emerging trend in grantmaking practice. Such groups focus on the methodology used by their members, whether based around a funding/capacity-building strategy (Grassroots Grantmakers), or on how technology use can be more effective in philanthropic practice (Technology Affinity Group). - NCG Groups
These groups offer NCG members the opportunity to convene with peers to share knowledge, network, or explore a topic of mutual interest.