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

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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.

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Peer Learning Opportunities

CF Insights connects community foundation colleagues for thought-provoking discussions on important ideas.

New Study: The Strategic Value of DAFs

  • Stay informed about this groundbreaking work for the field (PDF, 818KB). Results will be released in a White Paper to the field and presented during the 2012 COF Fall Conference in New Orleans. High level trends and case studies will feed into DAF advocacy support for Foundations on the Hill in March 2012

Recent Webinars

Recent Member Webinars 

Webinars are designed to have relevance across community foundations in many circumstances and engage staff across many roles.

  • From Collaboration to Collective Impact (PDF, 1.35 KB): A discussion  with practitioners about their successes and challenges launching and implementing collective impact efforts as well as dialogue discussing how community foundations can catalyze large-scale social change. Panelists: Mark Hurtubise, President and CEO, Inland Northwest Community Foundation; Evan Mendelson , Vice President, Donor Relations and Program Services, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona; Moderator: John Kania, Managing Director, FSG
  • A Thriving Unrestricted Annual Fund (PDF, 1.37MB)
    A discussion of how community foundations are starting and strengthening their annual funds in a tight economy. Featuring Kristen Luetz and Katie Allan Zobel, The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.  
  • Designing Scholarships for Student Success (PDF, 657KB)
    An overview of FSG research findings focused on structuring scholarships to get beyond access and support college persistence and completion. Featuring Jeff Cohen, FSG Social Impact Advisors.   

Members should contact Diana Esposito for access to webinar recordings. 

Informing Changes to Policy and Practice

“We are really excited about the prospect of changing our scholarship program to something beyond just one year grants.”

Sharon Reiss,
Director of Philanthropic Services
Fairfield County Community Foundation

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

Created by Community Foundations // Propelled by FSG