Agile Philanthropy: Understanding foundation effectiveness
By Joel J. Orosz, Cynthia C. Phillips, and Lisa Wyatt Knowlton; 92 pages; Dorothy
A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership
It is almost impossible these days to have a conversation about
the nonprofit
sector that does not include some discussion of transparency and
accountability.
Grant recipients, in particular, are usually required to
demonstrate the effectiveness
of the work they are doing, and to be accountable for the funds
they receive.
It makes good sense. Now, a new publication by the Dorothy A.
Johnson Center
for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership looks at the other side
of the equation.
Agile Philanthropy surveys the current research being
conducted about
foundation effectiveness. It examines the growing awareness among
foundations
that they must apply the same standards to their own work as they
expect from
grantees. In time, this approach will lead to more agile
philanthropy - that
which has adaptive capacity, thereby ensuring effectiveness.
While the whole concept seems logical and straightforward, the
authors stress
that information and dialogue about foundation effectiveness (FE) is still
in the early stages. As such, this book is not a guide for
foundations that
are looking to measure their own effectiveness, but rather, an overview of
the work being done in this area. It reviews some of the
currently held views
about FE and provides a conceptual framework for FE and the advancement of
agile philanthropy. The authors offer insights from some of the
largest and
most influential foundations in the United States about their experiences
in trying to assess and improve the effectiveness of their own
organizations.
By analyzing the current research, several themes emerge, perhaps
most importantly,
that there is a shared interdependence and responsibility between
foundations
and grantees. The book also highlights some of the preconditions necessary
for FE, including an interest in common measures, evaluation, and
the realization
that grantees and other partners are key contributors to FE.
Leaders within the philanthropic sector will find Agile Philanthropy
an interesting, if somewhat technical, introduction to this emerging trend
among foundations. It is the authors' hope that by providing this overview
of current research into FE, it will increase dialogue and shared learning
between foundations, which will ultimately lead to greater transparency and
more agile philanthropy within the sector.
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