Welcome
2009 CF Insights Columbus Survey of Community Foundations - Now Open! |
| Enter the Columbus Survey» |
CF Insights would like to thank the field for participating in the 2008 CF Insights Columbus Survey of Community Foundation field. Click here for a trend report highlighting major findings based on this data.
Moving forward, we know the field is eager to learn how community foundations fared in 2009. In order to quickly develop a picture of 2009 trends, we are accelerating our process and collecting data in Q1 of 2010. Please enter the survey through the link above and update your FY2009 data by March 15th to receive updated benchmarking reports.
Community Foundation Economic Scenario Planning (ESP) Model and Presentation ("Stress Test") |  |
Community Foundations everywhere are wondering:
In response to the worsening economy, the Community Foundations Leadership Team (CFLT) created the “Confront the Brutal Facts” task force* to help community foundations better understand the challenges of the current economic climate and its impact on budget and business decisions. Based on the task force’s recommendation, the CFLT commissioned CF Insights and FSG Social Impact Advisors to create an Economic Scenario Planning (ESP) model (“stress test”) for community foundations as an assessment and forecasting tool. The Council on Foundations’ CFLT is offering this tool, free of charge, to benefit community foundations of all sizes. These sophisticated but user friendly tools allow community foundations to create five-year forecasts and plan for multiple scenarios. Watch for future announcements from the Council on Foundations and CF Insights. Contact Us if you have any questions concerning the ESP tools or any of its supporting educational activities. |
EXPLORE | See what the Economic Scenario Planning (ESP) model and presentation ("Stress Test") look like when they’re filled in: ESP Model» pre-populated with illustrative data ESP Presentation» pre- populated with illustrative data CREATE | Develop an ESP model and presentation for your foundation: ESP User Guide» ESP Model template» ESP Presentation template» LEARN & SHARE | Network with your peers this fall: Listen to the recording from the webinar on September 17th to learn more about using these tools by clicking here. Join a peer learning community to find out how your peers are developing forecasts & sharing results with stakeholders Attend the 2009 Fall Conference for Community Foundations» for more technical assistance and peer learning |
*Confront the Brutal Facts task force members:
Peter Dunn – Central New York Community Foundation
Robin Ferriby- Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Doug Kridler – The Columbus Foundation
Ruben Orduña – The Boston Foundation
Alicia Phillip – Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Walker Sanders – Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
Nicole Taylor and Ted Liebst – East Bay Community Foundation
Jeff Yost – Nebraska Community Foundation
Update your foundation's contact information for the 2008 CF Insights Columbus Foundation Survey here»
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 »
Announcements from CF Insights
2008 FAOG Technology Survey Results Available
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.