Foundation Center

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  Most Big U.S. Foundations Paid Out 5% or More in 2007–2009: Report

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  October 23, 2012

  A companion study found that the chief factor affecting a foundation’s expense level was whether it employed paid staff. Both reports were funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

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  15 Mega-Foundations Commit to Philanthropic Transparency

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  October 11, 2012

  The foundations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have formally agreed to release their grant information in a consistent, open and frequent manner.

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  11 U.S. Donors Join Buffett/Gates ‘Giving Pledge’

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  September 24, 2012

  Eleven more wealthy U.S. families have committed to give half of their wealth to charitable causes, the Giving Pledge announced last week.

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  New Foundation Center Tool Tracks ‘Giving Pledge’ Donors

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  August 3, 2012

  A new tool on Foundation Center's website monitors Giving Pledgers' activities as part of its 2020 strategic plan to encourage greater transparency in philanthropy.

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  After Inflation, Foundations Gave Less in 2011

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  June 8, 2012

  Giving by U.S. foundations lost ground to inflation in 2011 even as total giving increased by 2.2% to an estimated $46.9 billion, according to a study released Thursday by the Foundation Center.

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  Crowdfunding Enters the Charitable Giving Tool Kit

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  February 2, 2012

  Nonprofit organizations and other charitable groups focused on worthy causes are always on the lookout for new ways to raise funds. Crowdfunding, an offshoot of crowdsourcing, is gaining traction as a tool for nonprofits and philanthropists.

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  5 Online Tools to Facilitate Charitable Giving

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  December 20, 2011

  Many donors, especially those who are planning large gifts, want to know how to make their gifts more effective or to fill gaps in funding. Several online providers can meet these needs.

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  Financial Crisis Takes Toll on Social Justice Giving: Foundation Center

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  November 21, 2011

  The global financial crisis has disproportionately affected grant makers who work on issues ranging from human rights to environmental justice, and their recovery remains in jeopardy, according to a new report released last week by Foundation Center.

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  Foundations Increasingly Using Investment Assets to Achieve Social Benefit

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  October 31, 2011

  Grant makers holding a fifth of all U.S. foundation assets are investing endowment dollars to further their charitable missions, according to a Foundation Center report released last week.

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  Charity Fundraising Stagnant in First Half: Study

  By Michael S. Fischer  |  October 3, 2011

  What a difference a year doesn’t make. Changes in charitable giving for the first half of 2011 were similar to all of 2010.