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Benchmarking Beyond Asset Size: Top 100 Lists
Benchmarking often means comparing performance metrics among foundations of similar size. However, this may overlook unique characteristics of community foundation operations. Factors beyond asset size such as grantmaking, fundraising, donor engagement and community context contribute to a community foundation's unique attributes and challenges.See how you compare on operational metrics and determine where you aspire to be in the rankings by downloading the report "Benchmarking Beyond Asset Size: Top 100 Lists" in a PDF file» or a search-able Excel file»
Click here » to explore different options for press release messages, blog posting ideas, and examples of how local media have used the content.
Not included in the rankings? Contact Diana Cook at Diana.Cook@fsg-impact.org to find out how to contribute data.
Columbus Survey Results Available |
"Guideposts on the Path to Recovery" What kinds of changes in giving and grantmaking did community foundations experience in 2009? How did the volatility in the market and changes in giving and grantmaking impact overall asset levels?CF Insights thanks the 200+ community foundations that shared timely 2009 data. We encourage others to share data in the coming months.
| SHARE | FY 2009 data and gain access to select benchmarking reports Enter the 2009 Columbus Survey» Overview and Instructions» |
EXPLORE | 2009 Results "Guideposts on the Path to Recovery"» field-wide report Data sheet» of individual community foundations' assets, gifts, and grants |
Participants can access select reports in CF Insights’ Online Benchmarking database.
Watch a webinar» about how to create customized reports with 2009 data.
Fueling Impact: A Fresh Look at Business Model Innovation and New Revenue Sources |  |
Fueling Impact, a new report about business model innovation and new revenue sources, is a partnership between the Council on Foundations’ Community Foundations Leadership Team, CF Insights, and FSG Social Impact Advisors. The need for this resource was identified by the Brutal Truths Task Force, a group of nine community foundation leaders. Visit our research page » to download the paper and sign up for a webinar about findings and lessons from the experiences of community foundations who have implemented innovative revenue sources.
Economic Scenario Planning (ESP) Model and Presentation ("Stress Test" ) Version 2.0 | |
The 2010 Version 2.0 Toolkit is enhanced with additional detail to allow for greater flexibility in budgeting and forecasting. Visit our ESP Model page» to download the toolkit and learn more: Listen to a Webinar - Participate in Peer Learning - and Learn From Your Peers about the Benefits of Using the Tools.
Taking Informed Action in Challenging Times
Download the paper»Listen to the recorded webinar»
The follow-up research, funded by the Community Foundations Leadership Team, uncovers how community foundations are continuing to weather the economic storm and how they have succeeded in “making lemonade” from these difficult times. Community foundations are using limited resources to meet greater community needs and have emerged as strong community leaders through increased convening, capacity building, and collaboration. The report goes beyond a basic playback of data; rather it validates decisions made through several peer benchmarking analyses, provides direction for 2009 and 2010, and inspires future action for increased community impact and sustainability.
Making Informed Decisions in Uncertain Times
In an effort to respond to the current financial uncertainty, CF Insights and FSG Social Impact Advisors launched a study to identify strategies and recommendations for coping with today’s environment and to provide you with information to share with your boards and communities.The results are compiled in a brief paper to show how Community Foundations of all shapes and sizes are responding to the uncertainty in terms of budgeting and adjusting their revenue approaches and cost considerations.
The paper is now available to download here »
2010 FAOG Technology Survey Now Open
Please take a few minutes to complete the 2010 Technology Survey for Community Foundations by Friday July 30, 2010. Originally conducted by the Fiscal and Administrative Officers Group (FAOG) Technology Committee in 2007 and 2008, this updated survey will continue to serve as a resource for community foundations as well as assessing trends in the industry.
Click here to take the survey.
2008 FAOG Technology Survey Results
Download the overview of results »
Download the raw data counts »
Download the actual answers »
October Webinar Available for Download:
Cost-Revenue Analysis for Community Foundations
More information »
Download the webinar recording»
June Webinar Available for Download:
Online Benchmarking for Community Foundations
More information »
Download session from the Council on Foundations
Community Foundation Insights’ mission is to strengthen the sustainability and leadership of community foundations. Our primary activities are
- Collecting, analyzing, benchmarking, and providing online access to financial and operational data from community foundations across the country
- Identifying best practices
- Conducting field-wide research
- Providing technical assistance
Field-wide surveys have identified these activities as high priority needs, and CF Insights has the full support of the Council on Foundations' Community Foundations Leadership Team.
Financial support for CF Insights has come from the following organizations:
- Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
- Council on Foundations
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation
- 35 community foundations, ranging in asset size from $13 million to $1.7 billion
CF Insights is developing a growing menu of resources and services for members. To learn more, click here.
CF Insights gratefully acknowledges the Columbus Foundation and the Council on Foundations, whose survey data is made available for use in the CF Insights database.