Sharing Knowledge. Growing Impact.

Take a Tour of the Benchmarking Tool

See how you can select a peer group using over 60 different criteria and view reports on data in several important content areas.

Take the Tour

CF Insights Members The Field
Services Expert Guidance and Analysis Checked
Peer Learning and Connections Checked
Technical Assistance
with Tools		 Checked
Consulting and Project Support Checked Checked
Tools Benchmarking and Custom Reports Checked with Annotation
Dashboard for Board Presentations Checked
Activity-Based Costing Analysis Model Checked Checked
Economic Scenario Planning Model Checked Checked
Interactive Strategy Model Checked Checked
Knowledge Member Research Briefs Checked
Trend Analysis and Rankings Checked Checked
Reports on Key Issues and Ideas Checked Checked

* Columbus Survey Participants have on-demand access to a select subset of
benchmarking reports

Data Collected by CF Insights

All data collected by CF Insights is available to members as criteria with which to build peer groups and as the basis for over 60 on-demand reports.

Foundation Basics:

  • Fiscal Year End Date
  • Year Foundation Created
  • Staffing by Function
  • Strategic Operating Priorities
  • Affiliations with Other Foundations
  • Software Type Used
  • Engagement in the Following Areas:
    • Community Leadership
    • Fiscal Sponsorship/Fundraising
    • Fundraising for Operations
    • Nonprofit Resource Center
    • Services to Private Foundations
    • Special Initiatives

Geographic:

  • Urban vs. Rural
  • Population of Area Served
  • Geographic Area Served
  • State
  • Region

Assets and Funds:

  • Total Assets
  • Total Assets by Product Type
  • Total Number of Foundation Funds
  • Total Number of DAFs
  • Total Number of Funds Held at SOs
  • Total Number of SOs
  • Operating Endowment and Reserves

 

Expenses:

  • Total Operating Expenses
  • Special Initiative Operations Expenses
  • Operating Expenses as Percent of Assets

Contributions:

  • Total Foundation Contributions - $ and #
  • Total Contributions to DAFs - $ and #
  • Total Contributions to SOs - $ and #

Grants:

  • Total Foundation Grants - $ and #
  • Total Grants from DAFs - $ and #
  • Total Grants from SOs - $ and #

Activity-Based Costing Results:

  • Contributions/Subsidies by Product - $
  • Total Cost by Product - $
  • Total Cost by Activity Type - $

Administrative Fee Schedules:

CF Insights collects the following fee information by specific product and fund type.

  • Total Fees
  • Minimum Fees
  • Minimum Fund Balance

Investment Data from the COF Investment Survey:

The Council on Foundations provides CF Insights with the results of their annual and quarterly investment surveys.

  • Annualized Returns
  • Overall Allocation
  • Equity Allocation
  • Fixed Income Allocation
  • Alternate Allocation

Contact info@cfinsights.org for more information.

This Content Requires Adobe Flash Player | Download Now

FAQs

What is the focus of CF Insights?

CF Insights responds to the hunger for shared knowledge and greater impact among the U.S. community foundations. Created by community foundations, CF Insights is a community of community foundations dedicated improving performance through better decision making.

What is the relationship between CF Insights and the Council on Foundations?

The Council on Foundations, through the Community Foundations Leadership Team (CFLT), has endorsed the establishment of CF Insights as a division within FSG as an implementation partner.  The Council committed $100,000 toward the establishment of CF Insights.

CF Insights is also an implementation partner of the Community Foundations Leadership Team in addressing the goal of organizational effectiveness in the Plan of Action (2007-2010).

What is the relationship between CF Insights and FSG?

CF Insights operates as a division of FSG. FSG is a non profit consulting firm dedicated to social impact, combining deep knowledge of the community foundation field with world-class strategy and evaluation capabilities.  FSG is responsible for hiring and supervising staff, developing the database, and managing CF Insights.

FSG also relies on an Advisory Board of community foundation leaders to oversee CF Insight.  The Advisory Board members bring a variety of perspectives and including the following representation:

  • One representative of the Community Foundations Leadership Team (CFLT)
  • One representative of Fiscal & Administrative Officers Group (FAOG)
  • One CEO from a community foundation with assets greater than $50 million
  • One CEO from a community foundation with assets less than $50 million
  • Three members at large.

How was CF Insights created and originally funded?

CF Insights was created by the community foundation field in 2006 as a partnership between the Council on Foundations and FSG.  From 2007 to 2010, grants from 39 community foundations, 2 private foundations, and the Council on Foundations provided CF Insights with startup capital to develop infrastructure.  CF Insights has raised $1.9 million total and services to members are now self-sustaining.  

Data We Collect

All data collected by CF Insights can be used by members to build peer groups and inform over 60 on-demand reports.

See what data we collect »

500 Boylston Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02116 | 617.357.4000 | info@cfinsights.org

Created by Community Foundations // Propelled by FSG