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.

Economic Scenario Planning

The Economic Scenario Planning (ESP) Model, or "Stress Test," allows community foundations to create five-year forecasts to answer questions such as:

  • What will be the impact of different investment performance scenarios on asset levels?
  • What amount of grantmaking can we expect in the next few years?
  • What happens to our economics if donors behave in different ways?

See a working Economic Scenario Planning (ESP) model and presentation with illustrative data:

Develop an ESP model and presentation for your foundation:

See how your peers have used the resources.     

Read stories in Learning from the Future » (PDF, 3.24MB)
Case studies illustrating the uses of the tool.

Watch a recorded webinar »
Refresher on using the model and stories from your peers.

Contact CF Insights staff to find out more about how your peers are developing forecasts & sharing results.

Examples of Insights

    • Integrate perspectives to create a common plan
    • Provide a reality check for future goals
    • Structure a process to facilitate board discussions about the future
    • Catalyze a new call to action
    • Track progress toward goals

The Economic Scenario Planning Model is provided through support from The Council on Foundations’ Community Foundation Leadership Team.

This tool and supporting documentation are available for free to community foundations for internal use only. Any commercial use of the tools by community foundations or the consultants that serve them requires a licensing fee. Inquire about licensing.

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“Forecasting gave us an urgency to get started thinking about future sustainability.  If we had let this simmer for 5 years, we’d wind up somewhere we don’t want to be!  We need to start thinking about this now.”

Leslie Lilly, President and CEO
Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

Which Tool is the Most Relevant Resource?

Compare (PDF, 57KB) the differences between the Activity-based Costing tool, the ESP model, and the ISM.

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Created by Community Foundations // Propelled by FSG