Website Quick Start Guide
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Delivering On Our Commitments
In 2022, GEO launched a planning process aimed at mobilizing the GEO community around an explicit and holistic direction to center philanthropic practice on operationalizing racial equity. The resulting strategic direction, unveiled in 2024, articulates GEO’s vision, mission, values and goals for transforming philanthropy.
Culture
Grantmakers in the GEO community develop and deepen an intersectional racial equity analysis, including understanding (1) philanthropy’s historical roots in racism and exploitation, (2) the contemporary realities created and sustained by systems of oppression and (3) the current context of the communities they serve.
Practice
Grantmakers in the GEO community advance responsive and equitable practices such as providing long-term, flexible support to communities harmed by intersecting systems of oppression; centering community and shifting power in their grantmaking, capacity building, learning, and evaluation; and fostering equity in internal operations.
Learning
Grantmakers in the GEO community have an equity-centered learning mindset and embrace vulnerability, collective learning and unlearning, and collaboration.
Community
Grantmakers in the GEO community work effectively within a larger ecosystem of people and institutions, advancing equity across sectors.
Capacity Building
Philanthropy’s greatest contribution to achieving racial equity and an inclusive society is through investing in the leadership and capacity of nonprofits and communities to advance equity-centered change.
Capacity Building Resources & Events
GEO Breakthrough Partnership
After 25 years of working to transform philanthropy to meet the evolving…
Investing in Capacity Building: Lessons from the Cedarmere Foundation
Cedarmere is a name that evokes memories and connection to family history.…
- Partner Resources
Reevaluating Practice: Reimagining Philanthropy
This report is a final offering to philanthropy from the Hazen Foundation…
- Partner Resources
Arkansas Enterpise Capital Grant Fund Fact Sheet
Financial capital provides the fuel for all enterprises, regardless of tax status.…
- Partner Resources
A Change Management & Deep Equity Primer: The What, Why, How & Nuance
This publication from Movement Tapestries offers insights and guidance for organizations navigating…
- Publication
Annual Report 2021
In this report, we are excited to share examples that illustrate some…
- Annual Report
Centering Equity through Flexible, Reliable Funding
With this guide, GEO seeks to reassert the value of flexible, reliable…
- Publication
A Guide for Trustees Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
Strengthening nonprofit organizations is not just a nice-to-have, but an essential part…
- Guide
Executive Summary: Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
With racial equity becoming more and more central to the work of…
- Executive Summary
Annual Report 2018-2020
Across the philanthropic sector, the last several years have been a clear…
- Annual Report
Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
This publication builds on the principles outlined in Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity and…
- Publication
Shifting the Evaluation Paradigm: The Equitable Evaluation Framework™
This publication provides an overview of the impetus for the Equitable Evaluation…
- Publication
Learning in Philanthropy: A Guidebook
When grantmakers focus on learning for improvement, we use evaluation and learning…
- Guide
Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning Toolkit Brief
The brief introduces the "Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning: Toolkit"…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning
The Executive Summary introduces the "Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning:…
- Executive Summary
Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning: A Toolkit
The fields of strategic learning and evaluation have also grown and shifted…
- Publication
GEO’s Resources on Equity
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Publication
Get on the Balcony: How Grantmakers Can Ignite Change
This publication seeks to offer some helpful approaches for jump-starting a change…
- Publication
GEO’s Resources on Capacity Building and Leadership Development
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Case Study
- Publication
- Related Materials
Organizational Culture: Articles and Readings
This list compiles articles, reports and other readings on each phase of…
- Partner Resources
Worksheet: Our Culture Story
Get clarity around the specific behaviors, actions and outcomes you are currently…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Acknowledgments
This list of people helped to make GEO's Culture Resource Guide possible.
- Guide
Creating Culture Together at the GHR Foundation
As they contemplated a period of significant growth in the foundation’s assets…
- Partner Resources
Worksheet: Culture Tightrope
Your organization’s values are often balanced by an opposite value. One way…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Seeing and Understanding Culture
This conversation starter will explore how foundation leaders have made organizational culture…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Translating Values into Practice
Values gain meaning and immediacy when they have a direct connection to…
- Publication
Conversation Starter: Disrupting Culture
Making culture more visible often begins the process of changing it. Once…
- Publication
Worksheet: Anthropologists Game
Get past what your organization says it values to uncover the hard-to-see,…
- Guide
Worksheet: Culture Mascot
Create a clear picture of the culture that your organization aspires to…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Understanding Incentives
When certain aspects of the “old” culture seem intractable, even though new…
- Guide
Facilitation Guide: Aligning Behaviors and Values
This exercise is designed to surface the areas in which an organization’s…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: How CEO & Senior Leader Relationships Shape Culture
The relationship between the CEO and her right hand person (or people)…
- Publication
Culture Resource Guide: Tend
Creating a productive foundation culture — one that accelerates impact and supports…
- Guide
Using Key Moments to Shape Culture: The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust
With the retirement of their long-time CEO and a milestone distribution to…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Shift
Shifting culture doesn’t simply mean developing a fresh values statement or identifying…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Overview
After more than 15 years promoting grantmaker practices that support nonprofit results,…
- Guide
Worksheet: Culture Lily Pond Activity
Culture is the collective behaviors and underlying assumptions of an organization. How…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Assess
Once we have gained a good understanding of the culture of our…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Understand
A productive internal culture aligned with a foundation’s mission and goals is…
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Funding for Justice and Change
To achieve our vision for individuals and communities, grantmakers must work to…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: The GEO Community at 20
Over the last 20 years, the GEO community has worked to transform…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Automating Austerity
Virginia Eubanks, professor at the University at Albany, SUNY and author of…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Creating Space for Systems Change
Raj Jayadev of Silicon Valley De-Bug shared how De-Bug has been transforming…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Inclusive Grantmaking Requires Breaking Norms
Christina Canales Gorczynski highlighted the Simmons Foundation's work to address the power…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Stories as Catalysts for Widespread Change
American culture and narratives are rooted in a collective ambivalence about how…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: The Implications of Implicit Bias
Focusing on equity necessitates reflection on ourselves and reckoning with the impact…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Centering Philanthropic Change in Community
Organizations seeking to support authentic change on complex, multi-layered issues often find…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Using Restorative Justice to Transform Racialized Harm in the U.S.
Fania Davis highlighted efforts bubbling up across the nation and shared strategies…
- Event Materials
General Operating Support: A Guide for Trustees
There is overwhelming evidence that general operating support grants can have significant…
- Publication
GEO's Resources on Learning and Evaluation
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Related Materials
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: John T. Vucurevich Foundation
Collaborations for Change is a strategy used by the John T. Vucurevich…
- Case Study
GEO's Resources on Culture and Change Management
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Home Team Meetups
Leading change requires us to be bold, yet transformation can be intense…
- Event Materials
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Finding the Power to Drive Transformational Change
Hear individual grantmakers in different organizational roles share inspiring stories of how…
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Grantmakers’ Role in Supporting Systems Change
For grantmakers who see themselves as champions of progress and change, the…
- Guide
Making Meaningful Change
GEO frequently hears that grantmakers, no matter their role, want to make…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Social Venture Partners Arizona
Increasing nonprofit capacity to deliver positive social impact through multiyear, general operating…
- Case Study
Is Grantmaking Getting Smarter?
Through our research over the past 20 years, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations…
- Publication
Member Call: How Can We Be In This Together? Highlights and Resources
Highlights, Key Takeaways and Resources from the October 16, 2017, Member Call:…
- Event Materials
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: The Florida Bar Foundation
By confronting gaps between its mission and its way of doing business,…
- Case Study
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: GAR Foundation
How GAR Foundation is narrowing its focus to have a deeper impact…
- Case Study
Trustees as Partners in Learning and Evaluation
This piece is written to help foundation trustees navigate their own role…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Vancouver Foundation
How Vancouver Foundation made progress by getting out of the way and…
- Case Study
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Culture in Action
Recognizing the need for adopting and maintaining a learning culture in our…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Visualizing Data for Your Audience
Jon Schwabish’s Short Talk at GEO’s Learning Conference 2017 offered ways to…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Listening to Communities for Transformational Change
At GEO’s Learning Conference 2017, Rami Nashashibi, the executive director of the…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Disrupting a City's Culture Using Evidence-Based Optimism
As the managing director of Chicago Beyond, a philanthropic venture investing in…
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Who Do You Think We Are?
At GEO’s Learning Conference 2017, Trabian Shorters of the BMe Community discussed…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Escaping the Echo Chamber
Jessamyn Shams-Lau, the executive director of the Peery Foundation, gave a Short…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Learning and Equity Plenary
Grantmakers committed to equity know that it must be incorporated into every…
- Event Materials
- Guide
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
How listening to the needs of its community inspired a foundation to…
- Case Study
Exploring Microcultures and Why They Matter
This is a publication about microcultures in philanthropy — small groups of…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
How empowering community members through capacity building and collaboration strengthens engagement to…
- Case Study
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: GHR Foundation
How co-designing with grantees and partners from Day 1 can lead to…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Janée Woods, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
In this GEOAsks, Janée Woods, Director of Organizational Culture at WCGMF, talks…
- Case Study
The Annie E. Casey Foundation Grantmaking with a Racial Equity Lens
Embracing Equity: 7 Steps to Advance and Embed Race Equity and Inclusion…
- Partner Resources
Year in Review 2016
In 2016, we prioritized finding new ways to build connections with each…
- Case Study
Change Incubator Story — What Are Some Whys and Hows of Grantee Inclusion?
We are interested in expanding beyond the idea of inclusion, which still…
- Case Study
How Can We Prepare for Collaboration?
In recent years there has been an increased call for more collaboration…
- Publication
Discussion Guide: Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity
Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity: A Discussion Guide for Starting Internal and External Conversations
- Guide
GEOASKS: Sarah Cotton Nelson and Ann Marie Warrick, Communities Foundation of Texas
In this GEOAsks, Communities Foundation of Texas shares how it shaped its…
- Case Study
Member Story: Social Venture Partners Seattle
Member Story: Social Venture Partners Seattle
- Case Study
Shaping Culture Through Key Moments
Every organization experiences moments when it has opportunities to tend its culture…
- Publication
What Does It Take to Learn Together Well?
When we learn with others, we are not simply conducting final program…
- Playbook
Collaboration Profile: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation takes an intentional approach to supporting…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Kaiser Permanente
Capturing and documenting how and when to partner with others so staff…
- Partner Resources
Collaboration Profile: Iowa West Foundation
Shifting from responsive grantmaking to strategic investments requires new skill sets, a…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: United Way of Washtenaw County
United Way of Washtenaw County believed nonprofits could achieve greater impact with…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Woods Fund Chicago
Woods Fund Chicago, a member of the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, demonstrates…
- Partner Resources
Collaboration Profile: The Philadelphia Foundation
Supporting nonprofit collaboration by building funder collaborations.
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Sand Hill Foundation
Sand Hill Foundation’s adaptability helped sustain a long-term funder–nonprofit collaborative even as…
- Case Study
GEOASKS: Michael Roberts, First Nations Development Institute
Investing in grantee capacity effectively requires more than just writing a check…
- Case Study
Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity
By supporting organizations to strengthen their leadership and improve the ability of…
- Publication
Member Story: The Missouri Foundation for Health
Member Story: The Missouri Foundation for Health
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Tawanna Black, Northside Funders Group
In this GEOAsks, we interviewed Tawanna Black, Executive Director of the Northside…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Fannie E. Rippel Foundation
Member Story: The Fannie E. Rippel Foundation
- Case Study
Change Incubator Story — What Grantee Inclusion Means to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation feels it…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Danielle Breslin, The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
In this GEOAsks, we interviewed Danielle Breslin, vice president of the Blue…
- Case Study
2016 National Conference Participant Roster
2016 National Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Member Story: Dallas Women's Foundation
How Dallas Women’s Foundation’s commitment to empathy has shaped its approach to…
- Case Study
Member Story: United Way of Greenville County
Member Story: United Way of Greenville County
- Case Study
Systems Grantmaking Resource Guide
Philanthropy is ever on a quest to increase effectiveness. Over the last…
- Guide
Change Incubator Story — How I Lost My Job
My name is Brad Cameron, and I’m a program associate at the…
- Case Study
Member Story: Greater Houston Community Foundation
Member Story: Greater Houston Community Foundation
- Case Study
Building Collaboration From the Inside Out
Looking inward and ensuring that an organization has the right elements in…
- Publication
Collaboration Profile: Dallas Women's Foundation
Participating in the North Texas Asset Funders Network provided an opportunity for…
- Case Study
Discussion Starter: Our Culture
The discussion starter can be used to delve into questions that are…
- Publication
The Collaboration Conference 2015 Participant Roster
The Collaboration Conference 2015 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
The Source Codes of Foundation Culture
Philanthropy evolves slowly, despite (or maybe because of) very few external constraints…
- Publication
How Do We Determine the Right Role to Play in Collaboration?
Collaborations — groups of grantmakers, nonprofits and other stakeholders aligning around a…
- Publication
Collaboration Profile: Missouri Foundation for Health
Using facilitation skills and developmental evaluation tools to build a more collaborative…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Greater Houston Community Foundation
Responding to donor interest in achieving greater impact through collaboration.
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Madeleine Frey, Health Care Georgia Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Madeleine Frey, director of…
- Case Study
How Can We Help Our Grantees Strengthen Their Capacity for Evaluation?
There is widespread and growing recognition in the nonprofit sector about the…
- Publication
What Does It Take to Spend Down Successfully?
Increasing numbers of grantmakers are opting for a spend-down strategy — meaning…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Stakeholder Engagement?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers as we…
- Playbook
2015 Learning Conference Resources: Data Viz Checklist (Stephanie Evergreen)
2015 Learning Conference Resources: Data Viz Checklist (Stephanie Evergreen)
- Event Materials
2015 Learning Conference Rsources: Chart Chooser 2.0 (Stephanie Evergreen)
2015 Learning Conference Rsources: Chart Chooser 2.0 (Stephanie Evergreen)
- Event Materials
Learning Together Profile: Skillman Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Skillman Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Deaconess Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Deaconess Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Stuart Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Stuart Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together: Actionable Approaches for Grantmakers
Grantees and other stakeholders are critical partners in the achievement of grantmakers’…
- Partner Resources
Resource List: Learning Together
Learning Together: Actionable Approaches for Grantmakers
- Case Study
- Partner Resources
Discussion Guide: Learning Together
Learning Together: A Discussion Guide for Funders and Partners
- Guide
Learning Together Profile: The Cleveland Foundation
Learning Together Profile: The Cleveland Foundation
- Case Study
The Learning Conference 2015 Participant Roster
The Learning Conference 2015 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Member Story: Pennsylvania Humanities Council
Member Story: Pennsylvania Humanities Council
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations
Grantmaker redesigns their grant workflow to improve efficiency and effectiveness for program…
- Playbook
GEOAsks: Adam Simon, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
In this GEOAsks interview, Adam Simon, director of leadership initiatives at the…
- Case Study
Leveraging Social Sector Leadership
What do social sector leaders need to help them succeed and, just…
- Publication
Member Story: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Member Story: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
- Case Study
Discussion Guide: Stakeholder Engagement
To Engagement and Beyond: A discussion guide for grantmakers
- Guide
What Are Different Ways to Engage Stakeholders?
A host of specific practices and activities can help grantmakers bring the…
- Publication
What Financial Challenges Do Nonprofits Face?
Financial struggles are a reality for many nonprofits, even those with excellent…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Becky Pastner, St. David's Foundation
In this issue of IMPACT we hear from Becky Pastner, a program…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
Member Story: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Kathleen Holmes, Missouri Foundation for Health
In this issue, we talk to Kathleen Holmes, director of the Infant…
- Case Study
Is Grantmaking Getting Smarter?
Grantmakers recognize the value of supporting effective, well-led organizations - strong organizations…
- Publication
GEO Field Survey 2014: Major Trends in Grantmakers' Attitudes and Practices
GEO Field Survey 2014: Major Trends in Grantmakers' Attitudes and Practices
- White Paper
GEOAsks: Elizabeth Christopherson, Rita Allen Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Elizabeth Christopherson, president and…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Dr. Gail Christopher, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
In this GEOAsks interview, we talk to Dr. Gail Christopher, vice president…
- Case Study
Member Story: Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
Member Story: Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
- Case Study
Remote Learning Fall 2014 Own Work Examples and Worksheet
Remote Learning Fall 2014 Own Work Examples and Worksheet
- Guide
Member Story: Southwest Florida Community Foundation
Member Story: Southwest Florida Community Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Anne Sherman, The Social Impact Exchange
n this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Anne Sherman, vice president…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Pierce Family Foundation
Chicago foundation provides multiyear operating grants to core grantees, plus a range…
- Case Study
What Makes a Successful Learning Community?
Learning communities are powerful vehicles for both individuals and communities to amass…
- Publication
What Are the Key Things We Need to Know About Organizational Assessments?
Many grantmakers use organizational assessments as a first step in capacity-building support…
- Playbook
What Mindset is Needed to Support Collaboration?
Throughout history, social change has been possible only through the contributions and…
- Publication
What is Collective Leadership and How Can Grantmakers Support It?
With growing recognition of the complexity of the issues the nonprofit sector…
- Playbook
What do Nonprofits Need to Make Leadership Development a Priority?
A nonprofit organization’s resiliency and capacity to navigate change successfully depends largely…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers who are…
- Partner Resources
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Leadership Development?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers seeking more…
- Partner Resources
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Nonprofit Capacity Building?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers in exploring,…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Collaboration?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers in exploring…
- Partner Resources
How Do We Know If a Grantee is a Good Candidate for General Operating Support?
The primary purpose of providing general operating support is to give grantees…
- Playbook
How Do We Know If Our Stakeholder Engagement is Working?
Effective stakeholder engagement starts and ends with respect — respect for the…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Learning and Evaluation?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers as we…
- Playbook
What is a Learning Organization?
Learning in philanthropy can happen in any number of ways — from…
- Playbook
How Do We Select the Right Evaluation Approach for the Job?
The most difficult part of evaluation can be to know where to…
- Playbook
How Will We Know If Our Capacity-Building Support is Working?
One of the biggest barriers to supporting capacity building is knowing how…
- Playbook
Evaluating Community Change: A Framework for Grantmakers
Philanthropy works to improve conditions in communities so that life is better…
- Publication
Evaluating Community Change: A Framework for Grantmakers (text version)
Philanthropy works to improve conditions in communities so that life is better…
- Publication
Member Story: The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
Member Story: The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Vini Bhansali, IDEX
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Rajasvini Bhansali, executive director…
- Case Study
What is General Operating Support and Why is it Important?
How can grantmakers expect nonprofits to deliver on their missions when many…
- Playbook
What Capacities do Nonprofits Need in Order to Collaborate?
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Publication
How Do We Know if Our Network is Effective?
Networks of nonprofits, funders and other partners have the potential to build…
- Publication
Which Stakeholders Should We Involve in Our Decisions and How?
Taking time early in the grantmaking process to map out the stakeholders…
- Publication
How Do We Build and Maintain Authentic Relationships?
While we may not be able to totally remove the inherent power…
- Publication
What is Empathy and What Are the Benefits?
Empathy is one of the main reasons individual and institutional philanthropy exist.…
- Publication
What Does Effective Due Diligence Look Like?
Due diligence is a process that helps grantmakers get to know grantseekers.…
- Publication
How Can We Evaluate the Impact of Our General Operating Support Grants?
Grantmakers increasingly are turning to general operating support to ensure that nonprofits…
- Playbook
Member Story: Blue Shield of California Foundation
Member Story: Blue Shield of California Foundation
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Social Venture Partners Seattle
SVP Seattle engages volunteer and paid consultants to help “investees” make the…
- Playbook
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Lumpkin Family Foundation
Illinois grantmaker embraces capacity building as a priority and supports a new…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Weingart Foundation
Southern California grantmaker makes the switch to core support for majority of…
- Playbook
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Venture Philanthropy Partners
Washington, D.C. grantmaker combines large, multiyear investments in youth-serving organizations with consulting…
- Playbook
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Arkansas grantmaker supports nonprofit networks to promote field wide learning.
- Playbook
Who is Building Nonprofit Capacity? Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
Place-based funder invests in range of organizational effectiveness programs, including deep, cohort-based…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? The Gifford Foundation
Foundation embraces community engagement, mobilizes residents and grantees to help make mini-grant…
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Grantmaker builds on longtime focus on evaluation by making organizational learning a…
- Case Study
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? St. David's Foundation
Growing health foundation embraces multiyear funding and streamlined application and reporting in…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Local liaisons help Connecticut grantmaker stay connected to communities involved in statewide…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? Orton Family Foundation
Vermont foundation adopts high-engagement approach to supporting cities and towns to design…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Hawaii Community Foundation
New unrestricted support program yields unexpected benefits for other grantmaking.
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Mile High United Way
Denver-area United Way embraces need to strengthen the capacity of organizations and…
- Playbook
- Publication
Who is Working Well Together? Marguerite Casey Foundation
Seattle-based grantmaker builds regional networks of organizations working to engage low-income families…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who is Building Leadership Well? Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation
Foundation joins with other grantmakers to unite and support the next generation…
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Regional funder in the South adopts network-focused approach to grantmaking.
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? Bush Foundation
Foundation launches new initiative to support and encourage collaborative approaches to community…
- Case Study
Who is Building Leadership Well? The Durfee Foundation
Los Angeles grantmaker supports local nonprofit leaders through sabbaticals, fellowships, mentorships and…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? The Fieldstone Foundation
Grantmaker works with partners to strengthen leadership for the social sector in…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Community Foundation of South Jersey
Community foundation partners with other funders to bolster nonprofit board and leadership…
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? The Patterson Foundation
Who is Working Well Together? The Patterson Foundation
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Bruner Foundation
Family foundation advances the cause of evaluative thinking among nonprofits through support…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Cricket Island Foundation
Small funder seeks to maximize impact by providing eight years of general…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Arti Freeman, Ontario Trillium Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks, we hear from Arti Freeman of Ontario…
- Case Study
Member Story: Massachusetts Cultural Council
Member Story: Massachusetts Cultural Council
- Case Study
Where Should We Start in Using Evaluation as a Tool for Learning?
Many grantmakers agree that an increased focus on evaluation and learning can…
- Publication
How Can Grantmakers Facilitate Connections and Collaboration?
The urgency and complexity of the problems nonprofits and grantmakers are trying…
- Playbook
What is Stakeholder Engagement?
Many grantmakers are recognizing that in order to ensure better results, we…
- Publication
How Can We Embrace a Learning for Improvement Mindset?
A priority for grantmakers and our grantees is to create a space…
- Publication
What Roles Can Grantmakers Play in Supporting Networks?
Grantmakers of all kinds care about tangible progress on tough problems, but…
- Publication
Who Is Working Well Together? Jim Joseph Foundation
Grantmaker focused on education for Jewish young people embraces multiyear grants, funder…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Ohio grantmaker using cigarette-tax funds to invest in arts and culture makes…
- Playbook
Who Is Working Well Together? DentaQuest Foundation
Aiming to build a national movement, funder focused on oral health supports…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
- Case Study
- Publication
How Can We Support Capacity-Building Efforts?
Nonprofits need skilled leaders, strong systems and the flexibility to continuously improve…
- Publication
What is Nonprofit Capacity and Why Does it Matter?
Nonprofits need certain capacities in order to deliver results. These include things…
- Publication
What Makes for a Successful Leadership Development Approach?
Nonprofit leaders have complex jobs. In order to excel in their roles…
- Publication
How Can We Target Our Leadership Development Support?
It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the leadership capacity needs of…
- Playbook
Who is Having Success with Learning? Global Fund for Children
Global NGO develops tools to track grantee progress and its own performance.
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? The Colorado Health Foundation
Grantmaker refines evaluation model to enhance grantee and organizational accountability, while positioning…
- Playbook
- Publication
How Should We Approach Capacity-Building Work?
How Should We Approach Capacity-Building Work?
- Publication
How Can Grantmakers Support Movements?
Today, many grantmakers recognize the role of social movements in advancing opportunity,…
- Publication
What Are the Different Ways to Collaborate?
In the nonprofit sector there are various forms of collaboration, ranging in…
- Publication
How Can We Be More Supportive of Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
Grantmakers can take a number of steps to ensure that the support…
- Publication
2014 National Conference Participant Roster
2014 National Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Smarter Philanthropy for Greater Impact: Rethinking How Grantmakers Support Scale
This special supplement was created to capture the latest thinking about how…
- Publication
Member Story: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties
Member Story: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and…
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GEOAsks: Paul Shoemaker, SVP Seattle
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we speak with Paul Shoemaker, executive connector…
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Member Story: The Patterson Foundation
Florida foundation with unfettered charter focuses on how best to support partnerships…
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What Are Three Principles for Supporting Nonprofit Capacity
There is not one “right way” to provide capacity-building support because each…
- Publication
Stories of Impact from the Social Innovation Fund
Stories of Impact from the Social Innovation Fund
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SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Bridgespan handout
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Bridgespan handout
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Background
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Background
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Groupaya Funder Alignment PPT
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Groupaya Funder Alignment PPT
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Presentation
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Presentation
- Partner Resources
The Promise and Pitfalls of Local and National Funder Collaborations
This guide presents the benefits and challenges of partnerships between local and…
- Publication
Many Hands, More Impact: Philanthropy's Role in Supporting Movements
GEO has prepared a publication that provides a framework for understanding the…
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Supporting Movements Conference Participant Roster
Supporting Movements Conference Participant Roster
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Investing for Impact: Building the Capacity and Infrastructure of High-Performing Nonprofits
Investing for Impact: Building the Capacity and Infrastructure of High-Performing Nonprofits
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Member Story: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Member Story: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
- Case Study
Member Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
Member Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
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Executive Summary: Working Better Together
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
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Resource List: Working Better Together
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
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Discussion Guide: Working Better Together
Working Better Together: Building Nonprofit Collaborative Capacity
- Guide
Working Better Together: Building Nonprofit Collaborative Capacity
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Sidney Hargro, Community Foundation of South Jersey
In this issue of GEOASKs, we talk to Sidney Hargro, executive director…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Berta Colon and Michele Lord, Public Interest Projects
In this issue of GEOASKS we talk to Berta Colón and Michele…
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Discussion Guide: Four Essentials for Evaluation
How We Learn and How We Can Learn Better: A discussion guide…
- Guide
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - AIDS United
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - AIDS United
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Cracking the Network Code: Four Principles for Grantmakers
We know that we need a different mindset to tackle complex, systemic…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Cracking the Network Code
As grantmakers and nonprofits are looking for ways to collaborate more effectively,…
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The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 3
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 3
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 1
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 1
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 2
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 2
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The Learning Conference 2013 Participant Roster
The Learning Conference 2013 Participant Roster
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Smarter Relationships, Better Results Webinar Series Part 1: The Right Relationship (slides)
Smarter Relationships, Better Results Webinar Series Part 1: The Right Relationship (slides)
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Member Story: Fairfield County Community Foundation
Member Story: Fairfield County Community Foundation
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, NCB Capital Impact
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, NCB Capital Impact
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Smarter Relationships, Better Results: Making the most of grantmakers' work with intermediaries
Grantmakers often work with intermediaries to extend their reach and impact. This…
- Publication
Annotated Bibliography: Smarter Relationships, Better Results
Annotated Bibliography: Smarter Relationships, Better Results
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Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - The Edna McConnell…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mile High United Way
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mile High United…
- Event Materials
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - NCB Capital Impact
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - NCB Capital Impact
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Corporation for Supportive Housing
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Corporation for Supportive…
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Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mayor's Fund to…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - U.S. Soccer Foundation
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - REDF
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - REDF
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - LISC
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - LISC
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Missouri Foundation for Health
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Missouri Foundation for…
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Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Foundation for a…
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Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, AIDS United
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, AIDS United
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Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
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Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way of…
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Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - U.S. Soccer Foundation
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Pathways to Grow Impact
Whether you are strategically working to scale up some of your successful…
- Executive Summary
Discussion Guide: Pathways to Grow Impact
Growing Your Impact: A Discussion Guide for Grantmakers
- Guide
Member Story: Allegany Franciscan Ministries
Member Story: Allegany Franciscan Ministries
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way for…
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Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Venture Philanthropy Partners
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Venture Philanthropy Partners
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SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Proteus Fund presentation
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Proteus Fund presentation
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Pathways to Grow Impact: Philanthropy's Role in the Journey
Pathways to Grow Impact is for any grantmaker who wants his or…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Vic De Luca, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks, we speak to Vic De Luca, president…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Susan Phillips, Omidyar Network
In this issue of GEO Asks, Susan Phillips, vice president of human…
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Great Power, Great Responsibility: Grantmakers' Role as Conveners
Funders are finding ways to use the power of convening to benefit…
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Building Community Capacity for Participation in Evaluation: Why It Matters and What Works
This briefing shares five principles for engaging community stakeholders in evaluation planning,…
- Publication
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Nov. 2012 Member Spotlight: George Kaiser Family Foundation
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Learn and Let Learn
This publication explores how learning communities can be powerful tools in creating…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Alice Shobe, Building Changes
In this issue’s GEO ASKS we talk to Alice Shobe, executive director…
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Scaling What Works: Grantmakers Engaged in the Social Innovation Fund (2010-2012) as Collaborating Funders
Scaling What Works: Grantmakers Engaged in the Social Innovation Fund (2010-2012) as…
- Publication
Strategic Co-Funding: An Approach for Expanded Impact
Co-published by GEO and REDF as an update to REDF's 2008 article…
- Publication
Member Story: Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
Member Story: Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
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Unrestricted Funding Member Story: Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
Unrestricted Funding Member Story: Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
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Member Story: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
Member Story: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
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GEOAsks: Rebekah Levin, McCormick Foundaiton
In this issue of GEO ASKS, GEO speaks with Rebekah Levin, evaluation…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - New Profit Inc.
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - New Profit Inc.
- Case Study
Four Essentials for Evaluation
Evaluation is about more than ensuring that grantees are doing what they…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Four Essentials for Evaluation
This is the Executive Summary of GEO's latest publication, Four Essentials for…
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GEOAsks: Darell Hammond, KaBoom
Darell Hammond is the founder and CEO of KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit…
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Collaborative Funding for Greater Impact: A Case Study of the Cincinnati Experience, Lessons Learned from the Social Innovation Fund
Collaborative Funding for Greater Impact: A Case Study of the Cincinnati Experience,…
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Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Jobs for the Future, Inc. and the National Fund for Workforce Solutions
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Jobs for the…
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GEOAsks: Andy Goodman, The Goodman Center
In this issue’s GEO ASKS we talk to author, speaker and public…
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Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Resource Sheet for Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping & Analysis Session
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Resource Sheet for Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping…
- Partner Resources
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Helping Established Organizations Develop a Network Mindset
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Helping Established Organizations Develop a Network Mindset
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Understanding and Activating Networks: The ReAmp Case Study and Evaluation
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Understanding and Activating Networks: The ReAmp Case Study and…
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Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: The Strategy Landscape
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: The Strategy Landscape
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Network Weaving
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Network Weaving
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping and Analysis
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping and Analysis
- Event Materials
GEOAsks: Christine Van Bergeijk of the Hawaii Community Foundation
In this issue, GEO ASKS Christine van Bergeijk, vice president of programs…
- Case Study
Catalyzing Networks for Social Change: A Funder's Guide
Networks for social change can help with building new capacity for making…
- Guide
Discussion Guide: Catalyzing Networks for Social Change
Catalyzing Networks for Social Change: A discussion guide for grantmakers
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Executive Summary: Widespread Empathy
This is an executive summary of the publication, Widespread Empathy, from GEO…
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Widespread Empathy: 5 Steps to Achieving Greater Impact in Philanthropy
Through examples from the field, the publication provides concrete steps grantmakers can…
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St. Louis County Children's Service Fund
GEO 2011 August GEONews Member Spotlight: St. Louis County Children's Service Fund
- Case Study
Member Story: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Member Story: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
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Member Story: The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
Member Story: The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
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New York State Health Foundation
The New York State Health Foundation has begun to make more strategic…
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GEOAsks: Ken Saxon, Courage to Lead
In this spring’s issue, GEO ASKS Ken Saxon, board leader, facilitator and…
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Member Story: W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation
To have a greater reach and influence in their respective communities, both…
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Using Evaluation to Become an Effective Learning Organization Tear Sheet
Using Evaluation to Become an Effective Learning Organization
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Engaging Stakeholders for More Effective Grantmaking Tear Sheet
Engaging Stakeholders for More Effective Grantmaking Tear Sheet
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GEOAsks: Paul Grogan, The Boston Foundation
This month GEO ASKS Paul Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston…
- Case Study
Member Story: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Member Story: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
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Executive Summary: Due Diligence Done Well
The executive summary for Due Diligence Done Well.
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- Publication
Due Diligence Done Well: A Guide for Grantmakers
Selecting the right grantee partners is one of the most important jobs…
Indicators of Organizational Effectiveness Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
Indicators of Organizational Effectiveness Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Question Guide for Due Diligence Conversations: Due Diligence Done Well
Question Guide for Due Diligence Conversations: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Grantmaker Examples: Due Diligence Done Well
Grantmaker Examples: Due Dilligence Done Well
- Publication
Materials for Review Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
Due Diligence Done Well: Possible Materials for Review
- Guide
Question Guide for Initial Review: Due Diligence Done Well
Question Guide for Initial Review: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Member Story: Lancaster County Community Foundation
Member Story: Lancaster County Community Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Peter Laugharn, Firelight Foundation
This month GEO ASKS Peter Laugharn, executive director of the Firelight Foundation…
- Case Study
Do Nothing About Me Without Me: An Action Guide for Engaging Stakeholders
There is a growing movement in philanthropy — a movement founded on…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Do Nothing About Me Without Me
This is an executive summary of the publication, Do Nothing About Me…
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GEOAsks: Lesley Grady, The Community for Greater Atlanta
This month GEO ASKS talks about stakeholder engagement with Lesley Grady, senior…
- Case Study
How Grantmakers Can Help Address Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits
Addressing Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits: Five Strategies for Grantmakers
- Publication
Leadership Case Study: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Leadership Case Study: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
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Coaching and Philanthropy: An Action Guide for Grantmakers
This guide was created as a resource for grantmakers as they explore…
- Guide
Executive Summary: Coaching and Philanthropy
Online toolkit Executive Summary Coaching and Philanthropy Action Guide for Grantmakers
- Executive Summary
Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
This publication offers a brief overview of how grantmakers are looking at…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
Executive Summary: Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Janine Mason, Fieldstone Foundation
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we talk about coaching with Janine Mason,…
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Stories from the Field: Evaluation in Philanthropy
Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives and Stories from the Field
- Publication
GEOAsks: Mark Keane, The Atlantic Philanthropies
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we talk about evaluation with Mark Keane,…
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GEOAsks: Dev Patnaik, Jump Associates
Jump Associates helps “courageous leaders create new businesses and reinvent existing ones…
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On The Money
This publication highlights the financial challenges nonprofits face and the ways in…
- Guide
Executive Summary: On The Money
Despite a wave of interest in recent years in what it takes…
- Executive Summary
Discussion Guide: On The Money
On The Money: A Discussion Guide for Grantmakers and Their Grantees
- Guide
GEOAsks: Gayle Williams, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation supports organizations and networks in the southeastern…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: John Weiler, The F.B. Heron Foundation
This month's GEOAsks focuses on one instrument The F.B. Heron Foundation uses…
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Excerpt: Knowledge Gaps
An excerpt from GEO’s upcoming publication, On the Money: The Key Financial…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Simon Greer, Seasons Fund for Social Transformation
This month’s GEO ASKS focuses on the Season’s Fund for Social Transformation,…
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GEOAsks: Ed Egnatios, Skillman Foundation
This month’s GEO ASKS focuses on The Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods program.
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Kevin L. Jenkins, Neighbor-Aid Fund
In this GEO ASKS, we pose questions to the Neighbor-AID Fund, an…
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Annual Report 2008
GEO's 2008 Annual Report covers ten years of smarter grantmaking, stronger nonprofits…
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Smarter Grantmaking in Challenging Economic Times
A collection of resources and examples of GEO members showing steady leadership…
- Publication
Executive Summary: General Operating Support
A study about general operating support grantmaking. The findings challenge the conventional…
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Executive Summary: Investing in Leadership Vol. 2
This volume is intended for donors, staff members and leaders of grantmaking…
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Executive Summary: Supporting Next-Generation Leadership
Finding tomorrow's nonprofit leaders requires more than beating the bushes for fresh…
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Executive Summary: Assessing the Impact
A presentation of two approaches in assessing the impact of general operating…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Investing in Leadership Vol. 1
Given the vast literature on leadership development and the challenges of translating…
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Executive Summary: Imagine Involve Implement
Real change is happening in philanthropy as pioneering grantmakers find new ways…
- Executive Summary
Supporting Next-Generation Leadership: Action Guide
Finding tomorrow?s nonprofit leaders requires more than beating the bushes for fresh…
- Publication
Assessing the Impact: General Operating Support Volume 2
Many grantmakers agree that general operating support can boost effectiveness and impact…
- Guide
- Publication
Mapping a Strategy: Three Approaches to General Operating Support
General operating support insights, lessons and ongoing explorations from The Philadelphia Foundation,…
- Publication
What is Coaching and What are the Benefits?
Coaching is a process that supports individuals to make more conscious decisions…
- Playbook
Discussion Guide: Investing in Leadership Vol.2
Discussion Guide: Investing in Leadership Vol.2
- Guide
Imagine Involve Implement: Action Guide
Real change is happening in philanthropy as pioneering grantmakers find new ways…
- Guide
The Departing: Exiting Nonprofit Leaders as a Resource for Social Change
The study presents a variety of approaches to leveraging departing executive directors…
General Operating Support: Action Guide
What is general operating support? How are grantmakers providing it? GEO's answer…
- Guide
- Publication
Learning for Results
This publication explores what it means to be a "learning organization;" how…
- Publication
Listen, Learn, Lead: Grantmaker Practices that Support Nonprofit Results
GEO's Change Agent Project seeks to inspire change in grantmakers so they…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Listen, Learn, Lead
GEO's Change Agent Project seeks to inspire change in grantmakers so they…
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Investing in Leadership (Vol. 2): Inspiration and Ideas from Philanthropy's Latest Frontier
This publication explores a sampling of the leadership development practices being utilized…
- Publication
Investing in Leadership (Vol. 1): A Grantmaker's Framework for Understanding Nonprofit Leadership Development
Given the vast literature on leadership development and the challenges of translating…
- Publication
Assessing Startup Organizations: A due diligence supplement for grantmakers
Assessing Startup Organizations: A due diligence supplement for grantmakers
- Toolkit
In Search of Strategic Solutions
This publication is the result of a five-year national study on strategic…
- Playbook
Capacity Building for Impact: The Future of Effectiveness for Nonprofits
Capacity Building for Impact: The Future of Effectiveness for Nonprofits
- Publication
2025 Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship Informational Webinar
Join this webinar to learn more about GEO’s signature fellowship program, the…
- Webinar
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
Change Leaders Community Quarterly Call
A quarterly conversation with current and former Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellows…
- Peer Communities
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
2025 Learning Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2025 Learning Conference, hosted in partnership with…
- Conferences
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
Change Leaders Community Quarterly Call
A quarterly conversation with current and former Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellows…
- Peer Communities
2026 National Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2026 National Conference, from June 1 –…
- Conferences
2027 Learning Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2027 Learning Conference, from May 25-26, 2027…
- Conferences
Culture
Grantmakers who are effectively working in service of nonprofits and communities create and sustain organizational cultures founded on several core elements, including a commitment to racial equity.
Culture Resources & Events
Website Quick Start Guide
Visit our new website at: https://www.geofunders.org GEO members – First-time and Returning…
GEO Breakthrough Partnership
After 25 years of working to transform philanthropy to meet the evolving…
Investing in Capacity Building: Lessons from the Cedarmere Foundation
Cedarmere is a name that evokes memories and connection to family history.…
- Partner Resources
Reevaluating Practice: Reimagining Philanthropy
This report is a final offering to philanthropy from the Hazen Foundation…
- Partner Resources
Arkansas Enterpise Capital Grant Fund Fact Sheet
Financial capital provides the fuel for all enterprises, regardless of tax status.…
- Partner Resources
A Change Management & Deep Equity Primer: The What, Why, How & Nuance
This publication from Movement Tapestries offers insights and guidance for organizations navigating…
- Publication
Annual Report 2021
In this report, we are excited to share examples that illustrate some…
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Centering Equity through Flexible, Reliable Funding
With this guide, GEO seeks to reassert the value of flexible, reliable…
- Publication
A Guide for Trustees Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
Strengthening nonprofit organizations is not just a nice-to-have, but an essential part…
- Guide
Executive Summary: Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
With racial equity becoming more and more central to the work of…
- Executive Summary
Annual Report 2018-2020
Across the philanthropic sector, the last several years have been a clear…
- Annual Report
Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
This publication builds on the principles outlined in Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity and…
- Publication
Shifting the Evaluation Paradigm: The Equitable Evaluation Framework™
This publication provides an overview of the impetus for the Equitable Evaluation…
- Publication
Learning in Philanthropy: A Guidebook
When grantmakers focus on learning for improvement, we use evaluation and learning…
- Guide
Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning Toolkit Brief
The brief introduces the "Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning: Toolkit"…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning
The Executive Summary introduces the "Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning:…
- Executive Summary
Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning: A Toolkit
The fields of strategic learning and evaluation have also grown and shifted…
- Publication
GEO’s Resources on Equity
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Publication
Get on the Balcony: How Grantmakers Can Ignite Change
This publication seeks to offer some helpful approaches for jump-starting a change…
- Publication
GEO’s Resources on Capacity Building and Leadership Development
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Case Study
- Publication
- Related Materials
Organizational Culture: Articles and Readings
This list compiles articles, reports and other readings on each phase of…
- Partner Resources
Worksheet: Our Culture Story
Get clarity around the specific behaviors, actions and outcomes you are currently…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Acknowledgments
This list of people helped to make GEO's Culture Resource Guide possible.
- Guide
Creating Culture Together at the GHR Foundation
As they contemplated a period of significant growth in the foundation’s assets…
- Partner Resources
Worksheet: Culture Tightrope
Your organization’s values are often balanced by an opposite value. One way…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Seeing and Understanding Culture
This conversation starter will explore how foundation leaders have made organizational culture…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Translating Values into Practice
Values gain meaning and immediacy when they have a direct connection to…
- Publication
Conversation Starter: Disrupting Culture
Making culture more visible often begins the process of changing it. Once…
- Publication
Worksheet: Anthropologists Game
Get past what your organization says it values to uncover the hard-to-see,…
- Guide
Worksheet: Culture Mascot
Create a clear picture of the culture that your organization aspires to…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Understanding Incentives
When certain aspects of the “old” culture seem intractable, even though new…
- Guide
Facilitation Guide: Aligning Behaviors and Values
This exercise is designed to surface the areas in which an organization’s…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: How CEO & Senior Leader Relationships Shape Culture
The relationship between the CEO and her right hand person (or people)…
- Publication
Culture Resource Guide: Tend
Creating a productive foundation culture — one that accelerates impact and supports…
- Guide
Using Key Moments to Shape Culture: The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust
With the retirement of their long-time CEO and a milestone distribution to…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Shift
Shifting culture doesn’t simply mean developing a fresh values statement or identifying…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Overview
After more than 15 years promoting grantmaker practices that support nonprofit results,…
- Guide
Worksheet: Culture Lily Pond Activity
Culture is the collective behaviors and underlying assumptions of an organization. How…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Assess
Once we have gained a good understanding of the culture of our…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Understand
A productive internal culture aligned with a foundation’s mission and goals is…
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Funding for Justice and Change
To achieve our vision for individuals and communities, grantmakers must work to…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: The GEO Community at 20
Over the last 20 years, the GEO community has worked to transform…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Automating Austerity
Virginia Eubanks, professor at the University at Albany, SUNY and author of…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Creating Space for Systems Change
Raj Jayadev of Silicon Valley De-Bug shared how De-Bug has been transforming…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Inclusive Grantmaking Requires Breaking Norms
Christina Canales Gorczynski highlighted the Simmons Foundation's work to address the power…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Stories as Catalysts for Widespread Change
American culture and narratives are rooted in a collective ambivalence about how…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: The Implications of Implicit Bias
Focusing on equity necessitates reflection on ourselves and reckoning with the impact…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Centering Philanthropic Change in Community
Organizations seeking to support authentic change on complex, multi-layered issues often find…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Using Restorative Justice to Transform Racialized Harm in the U.S.
Fania Davis highlighted efforts bubbling up across the nation and shared strategies…
- Event Materials
General Operating Support: A Guide for Trustees
There is overwhelming evidence that general operating support grants can have significant…
- Publication
GEO's Resources on Learning and Evaluation
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
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Smarter Grantmaking in Action: John T. Vucurevich Foundation
Collaborations for Change is a strategy used by the John T. Vucurevich…
- Case Study
GEO's Resources on Culture and Change Management
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Home Team Meetups
Leading change requires us to be bold, yet transformation can be intense…
- Event Materials
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Finding the Power to Drive Transformational Change
Hear individual grantmakers in different organizational roles share inspiring stories of how…
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Grantmakers’ Role in Supporting Systems Change
For grantmakers who see themselves as champions of progress and change, the…
- Guide
Making Meaningful Change
GEO frequently hears that grantmakers, no matter their role, want to make…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Social Venture Partners Arizona
Increasing nonprofit capacity to deliver positive social impact through multiyear, general operating…
- Case Study
Is Grantmaking Getting Smarter?
Through our research over the past 20 years, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations…
- Publication
Member Call: How Can We Be In This Together? Highlights and Resources
Highlights, Key Takeaways and Resources from the October 16, 2017, Member Call:…
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Smarter Grantmaking in Action: The Florida Bar Foundation
By confronting gaps between its mission and its way of doing business,…
- Case Study
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: GAR Foundation
How GAR Foundation is narrowing its focus to have a deeper impact…
- Case Study
Trustees as Partners in Learning and Evaluation
This piece is written to help foundation trustees navigate their own role…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Vancouver Foundation
How Vancouver Foundation made progress by getting out of the way and…
- Case Study
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Culture in Action
Recognizing the need for adopting and maintaining a learning culture in our…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Visualizing Data for Your Audience
Jon Schwabish’s Short Talk at GEO’s Learning Conference 2017 offered ways to…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Listening to Communities for Transformational Change
At GEO’s Learning Conference 2017, Rami Nashashibi, the executive director of the…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Disrupting a City's Culture Using Evidence-Based Optimism
As the managing director of Chicago Beyond, a philanthropic venture investing in…
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Who Do You Think We Are?
At GEO’s Learning Conference 2017, Trabian Shorters of the BMe Community discussed…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Escaping the Echo Chamber
Jessamyn Shams-Lau, the executive director of the Peery Foundation, gave a Short…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Learning and Equity Plenary
Grantmakers committed to equity know that it must be incorporated into every…
- Event Materials
- Guide
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
How listening to the needs of its community inspired a foundation to…
- Case Study
Exploring Microcultures and Why They Matter
This is a publication about microcultures in philanthropy — small groups of…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
How empowering community members through capacity building and collaboration strengthens engagement to…
- Case Study
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: GHR Foundation
How co-designing with grantees and partners from Day 1 can lead to…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Janée Woods, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
In this GEOAsks, Janée Woods, Director of Organizational Culture at WCGMF, talks…
- Case Study
The Annie E. Casey Foundation Grantmaking with a Racial Equity Lens
Embracing Equity: 7 Steps to Advance and Embed Race Equity and Inclusion…
- Partner Resources
Year in Review 2016
In 2016, we prioritized finding new ways to build connections with each…
- Case Study
Change Incubator Story — What Are Some Whys and Hows of Grantee Inclusion?
We are interested in expanding beyond the idea of inclusion, which still…
- Case Study
How Can We Prepare for Collaboration?
In recent years there has been an increased call for more collaboration…
- Publication
Discussion Guide: Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity
Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity: A Discussion Guide for Starting Internal and External Conversations
- Guide
GEOASKS: Sarah Cotton Nelson and Ann Marie Warrick, Communities Foundation of Texas
In this GEOAsks, Communities Foundation of Texas shares how it shaped its…
- Case Study
Member Story: Social Venture Partners Seattle
Member Story: Social Venture Partners Seattle
- Case Study
Shaping Culture Through Key Moments
Every organization experiences moments when it has opportunities to tend its culture…
- Publication
What Does It Take to Learn Together Well?
When we learn with others, we are not simply conducting final program…
- Playbook
Collaboration Profile: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation takes an intentional approach to supporting…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Kaiser Permanente
Capturing and documenting how and when to partner with others so staff…
- Partner Resources
Collaboration Profile: Iowa West Foundation
Shifting from responsive grantmaking to strategic investments requires new skill sets, a…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: United Way of Washtenaw County
United Way of Washtenaw County believed nonprofits could achieve greater impact with…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Woods Fund Chicago
Woods Fund Chicago, a member of the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, demonstrates…
- Partner Resources
Collaboration Profile: The Philadelphia Foundation
Supporting nonprofit collaboration by building funder collaborations.
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Sand Hill Foundation
Sand Hill Foundation’s adaptability helped sustain a long-term funder–nonprofit collaborative even as…
- Case Study
GEOASKS: Michael Roberts, First Nations Development Institute
Investing in grantee capacity effectively requires more than just writing a check…
- Case Study
Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity
By supporting organizations to strengthen their leadership and improve the ability of…
- Publication
Member Story: The Missouri Foundation for Health
Member Story: The Missouri Foundation for Health
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Tawanna Black, Northside Funders Group
In this GEOAsks, we interviewed Tawanna Black, Executive Director of the Northside…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Fannie E. Rippel Foundation
Member Story: The Fannie E. Rippel Foundation
- Case Study
Change Incubator Story — What Grantee Inclusion Means to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation feels it…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Danielle Breslin, The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
In this GEOAsks, we interviewed Danielle Breslin, vice president of the Blue…
- Case Study
2016 National Conference Participant Roster
2016 National Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Member Story: Dallas Women's Foundation
How Dallas Women’s Foundation’s commitment to empathy has shaped its approach to…
- Case Study
Member Story: United Way of Greenville County
Member Story: United Way of Greenville County
- Case Study
Systems Grantmaking Resource Guide
Philanthropy is ever on a quest to increase effectiveness. Over the last…
- Guide
Change Incubator Story — How I Lost My Job
My name is Brad Cameron, and I’m a program associate at the…
- Case Study
Member Story: Greater Houston Community Foundation
Member Story: Greater Houston Community Foundation
- Case Study
Building Collaboration From the Inside Out
Looking inward and ensuring that an organization has the right elements in…
- Publication
Collaboration Profile: Dallas Women's Foundation
Participating in the North Texas Asset Funders Network provided an opportunity for…
- Case Study
Discussion Starter: Our Culture
The discussion starter can be used to delve into questions that are…
- Publication
The Collaboration Conference 2015 Participant Roster
The Collaboration Conference 2015 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
The Source Codes of Foundation Culture
Philanthropy evolves slowly, despite (or maybe because of) very few external constraints…
- Publication
How Do We Determine the Right Role to Play in Collaboration?
Collaborations — groups of grantmakers, nonprofits and other stakeholders aligning around a…
- Publication
Collaboration Profile: Missouri Foundation for Health
Using facilitation skills and developmental evaluation tools to build a more collaborative…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Greater Houston Community Foundation
Responding to donor interest in achieving greater impact through collaboration.
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Madeleine Frey, Health Care Georgia Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Madeleine Frey, director of…
- Case Study
How Can We Help Our Grantees Strengthen Their Capacity for Evaluation?
There is widespread and growing recognition in the nonprofit sector about the…
- Publication
What Does It Take to Spend Down Successfully?
Increasing numbers of grantmakers are opting for a spend-down strategy — meaning…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Stakeholder Engagement?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers as we…
- Playbook
2015 Learning Conference Resources: Data Viz Checklist (Stephanie Evergreen)
2015 Learning Conference Resources: Data Viz Checklist (Stephanie Evergreen)
- Event Materials
2015 Learning Conference Rsources: Chart Chooser 2.0 (Stephanie Evergreen)
2015 Learning Conference Rsources: Chart Chooser 2.0 (Stephanie Evergreen)
- Event Materials
Learning Together Profile: Skillman Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Skillman Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Deaconess Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Deaconess Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Stuart Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Stuart Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together: Actionable Approaches for Grantmakers
Grantees and other stakeholders are critical partners in the achievement of grantmakers’…
- Partner Resources
Resource List: Learning Together
Learning Together: Actionable Approaches for Grantmakers
- Case Study
- Partner Resources
Discussion Guide: Learning Together
Learning Together: A Discussion Guide for Funders and Partners
- Guide
Learning Together Profile: The Cleveland Foundation
Learning Together Profile: The Cleveland Foundation
- Case Study
The Learning Conference 2015 Participant Roster
The Learning Conference 2015 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Member Story: Pennsylvania Humanities Council
Member Story: Pennsylvania Humanities Council
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations
Grantmaker redesigns their grant workflow to improve efficiency and effectiveness for program…
- Playbook
GEOAsks: Adam Simon, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
In this GEOAsks interview, Adam Simon, director of leadership initiatives at the…
- Case Study
Leveraging Social Sector Leadership
What do social sector leaders need to help them succeed and, just…
- Publication
Member Story: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Member Story: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
- Case Study
Discussion Guide: Stakeholder Engagement
To Engagement and Beyond: A discussion guide for grantmakers
- Guide
What Are Different Ways to Engage Stakeholders?
A host of specific practices and activities can help grantmakers bring the…
- Publication
What Financial Challenges Do Nonprofits Face?
Financial struggles are a reality for many nonprofits, even those with excellent…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Becky Pastner, St. David's Foundation
In this issue of IMPACT we hear from Becky Pastner, a program…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
Member Story: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Kathleen Holmes, Missouri Foundation for Health
In this issue, we talk to Kathleen Holmes, director of the Infant…
- Case Study
Is Grantmaking Getting Smarter?
Grantmakers recognize the value of supporting effective, well-led organizations - strong organizations…
- Publication
GEO Field Survey 2014: Major Trends in Grantmakers' Attitudes and Practices
GEO Field Survey 2014: Major Trends in Grantmakers' Attitudes and Practices
- White Paper
GEOAsks: Elizabeth Christopherson, Rita Allen Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Elizabeth Christopherson, president and…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Dr. Gail Christopher, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
In this GEOAsks interview, we talk to Dr. Gail Christopher, vice president…
- Case Study
Member Story: Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
Member Story: Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
- Case Study
Remote Learning Fall 2014 Own Work Examples and Worksheet
Remote Learning Fall 2014 Own Work Examples and Worksheet
- Guide
Member Story: Southwest Florida Community Foundation
Member Story: Southwest Florida Community Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Anne Sherman, The Social Impact Exchange
n this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Anne Sherman, vice president…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Pierce Family Foundation
Chicago foundation provides multiyear operating grants to core grantees, plus a range…
- Case Study
What Makes a Successful Learning Community?
Learning communities are powerful vehicles for both individuals and communities to amass…
- Publication
What Are the Key Things We Need to Know About Organizational Assessments?
Many grantmakers use organizational assessments as a first step in capacity-building support…
- Playbook
What Mindset is Needed to Support Collaboration?
Throughout history, social change has been possible only through the contributions and…
- Publication
What is Collective Leadership and How Can Grantmakers Support It?
With growing recognition of the complexity of the issues the nonprofit sector…
- Playbook
What do Nonprofits Need to Make Leadership Development a Priority?
A nonprofit organization’s resiliency and capacity to navigate change successfully depends largely…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers who are…
- Partner Resources
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Leadership Development?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers seeking more…
- Partner Resources
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Nonprofit Capacity Building?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers in exploring,…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Collaboration?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers in exploring…
- Partner Resources
How Do We Know If a Grantee is a Good Candidate for General Operating Support?
The primary purpose of providing general operating support is to give grantees…
- Playbook
How Do We Know If Our Stakeholder Engagement is Working?
Effective stakeholder engagement starts and ends with respect — respect for the…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Learning and Evaluation?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers as we…
- Playbook
What is a Learning Organization?
Learning in philanthropy can happen in any number of ways — from…
- Playbook
How Do We Select the Right Evaluation Approach for the Job?
The most difficult part of evaluation can be to know where to…
- Playbook
How Will We Know If Our Capacity-Building Support is Working?
One of the biggest barriers to supporting capacity building is knowing how…
- Playbook
Evaluating Community Change: A Framework for Grantmakers
Philanthropy works to improve conditions in communities so that life is better…
- Publication
Evaluating Community Change: A Framework for Grantmakers (text version)
Philanthropy works to improve conditions in communities so that life is better…
- Publication
Member Story: The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
Member Story: The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Vini Bhansali, IDEX
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Rajasvini Bhansali, executive director…
- Case Study
What is General Operating Support and Why is it Important?
How can grantmakers expect nonprofits to deliver on their missions when many…
- Playbook
What Capacities do Nonprofits Need in Order to Collaborate?
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Publication
How Do We Know if Our Network is Effective?
Networks of nonprofits, funders and other partners have the potential to build…
- Publication
Which Stakeholders Should We Involve in Our Decisions and How?
Taking time early in the grantmaking process to map out the stakeholders…
- Publication
How Do We Build and Maintain Authentic Relationships?
While we may not be able to totally remove the inherent power…
- Publication
What is Empathy and What Are the Benefits?
Empathy is one of the main reasons individual and institutional philanthropy exist.…
- Publication
What Does Effective Due Diligence Look Like?
Due diligence is a process that helps grantmakers get to know grantseekers.…
- Publication
How Can We Evaluate the Impact of Our General Operating Support Grants?
Grantmakers increasingly are turning to general operating support to ensure that nonprofits…
- Playbook
Member Story: Blue Shield of California Foundation
Member Story: Blue Shield of California Foundation
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Social Venture Partners Seattle
SVP Seattle engages volunteer and paid consultants to help “investees” make the…
- Playbook
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Lumpkin Family Foundation
Illinois grantmaker embraces capacity building as a priority and supports a new…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Weingart Foundation
Southern California grantmaker makes the switch to core support for majority of…
- Playbook
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Venture Philanthropy Partners
Washington, D.C. grantmaker combines large, multiyear investments in youth-serving organizations with consulting…
- Playbook
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Arkansas grantmaker supports nonprofit networks to promote field wide learning.
- Playbook
Who is Building Nonprofit Capacity? Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
Place-based funder invests in range of organizational effectiveness programs, including deep, cohort-based…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? The Gifford Foundation
Foundation embraces community engagement, mobilizes residents and grantees to help make mini-grant…
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Grantmaker builds on longtime focus on evaluation by making organizational learning a…
- Case Study
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? St. David's Foundation
Growing health foundation embraces multiyear funding and streamlined application and reporting in…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Local liaisons help Connecticut grantmaker stay connected to communities involved in statewide…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? Orton Family Foundation
Vermont foundation adopts high-engagement approach to supporting cities and towns to design…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Hawaii Community Foundation
New unrestricted support program yields unexpected benefits for other grantmaking.
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Mile High United Way
Denver-area United Way embraces need to strengthen the capacity of organizations and…
- Playbook
- Publication
Who is Working Well Together? Marguerite Casey Foundation
Seattle-based grantmaker builds regional networks of organizations working to engage low-income families…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who is Building Leadership Well? Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation
Foundation joins with other grantmakers to unite and support the next generation…
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Regional funder in the South adopts network-focused approach to grantmaking.
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? Bush Foundation
Foundation launches new initiative to support and encourage collaborative approaches to community…
- Case Study
Who is Building Leadership Well? The Durfee Foundation
Los Angeles grantmaker supports local nonprofit leaders through sabbaticals, fellowships, mentorships and…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? The Fieldstone Foundation
Grantmaker works with partners to strengthen leadership for the social sector in…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Community Foundation of South Jersey
Community foundation partners with other funders to bolster nonprofit board and leadership…
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? The Patterson Foundation
Who is Working Well Together? The Patterson Foundation
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Bruner Foundation
Family foundation advances the cause of evaluative thinking among nonprofits through support…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Cricket Island Foundation
Small funder seeks to maximize impact by providing eight years of general…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Arti Freeman, Ontario Trillium Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks, we hear from Arti Freeman of Ontario…
- Case Study
Member Story: Massachusetts Cultural Council
Member Story: Massachusetts Cultural Council
- Case Study
Where Should We Start in Using Evaluation as a Tool for Learning?
Many grantmakers agree that an increased focus on evaluation and learning can…
- Publication
How Can Grantmakers Facilitate Connections and Collaboration?
The urgency and complexity of the problems nonprofits and grantmakers are trying…
- Playbook
What is Stakeholder Engagement?
Many grantmakers are recognizing that in order to ensure better results, we…
- Publication
How Can We Embrace a Learning for Improvement Mindset?
A priority for grantmakers and our grantees is to create a space…
- Publication
What Roles Can Grantmakers Play in Supporting Networks?
Grantmakers of all kinds care about tangible progress on tough problems, but…
- Publication
Who Is Working Well Together? Jim Joseph Foundation
Grantmaker focused on education for Jewish young people embraces multiyear grants, funder…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Ohio grantmaker using cigarette-tax funds to invest in arts and culture makes…
- Playbook
Who Is Working Well Together? DentaQuest Foundation
Aiming to build a national movement, funder focused on oral health supports…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
- Case Study
- Publication
How Can We Support Capacity-Building Efforts?
Nonprofits need skilled leaders, strong systems and the flexibility to continuously improve…
- Publication
What is Nonprofit Capacity and Why Does it Matter?
Nonprofits need certain capacities in order to deliver results. These include things…
- Publication
What Makes for a Successful Leadership Development Approach?
Nonprofit leaders have complex jobs. In order to excel in their roles…
- Publication
How Can We Target Our Leadership Development Support?
It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the leadership capacity needs of…
- Playbook
Who is Having Success with Learning? Global Fund for Children
Global NGO develops tools to track grantee progress and its own performance.
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? The Colorado Health Foundation
Grantmaker refines evaluation model to enhance grantee and organizational accountability, while positioning…
- Playbook
- Publication
How Should We Approach Capacity-Building Work?
How Should We Approach Capacity-Building Work?
- Publication
How Can Grantmakers Support Movements?
Today, many grantmakers recognize the role of social movements in advancing opportunity,…
- Publication
What Are the Different Ways to Collaborate?
In the nonprofit sector there are various forms of collaboration, ranging in…
- Publication
How Can We Be More Supportive of Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
Grantmakers can take a number of steps to ensure that the support…
- Publication
2014 National Conference Participant Roster
2014 National Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Smarter Philanthropy for Greater Impact: Rethinking How Grantmakers Support Scale
This special supplement was created to capture the latest thinking about how…
- Publication
Member Story: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties
Member Story: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Paul Shoemaker, SVP Seattle
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we speak with Paul Shoemaker, executive connector…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Patterson Foundation
Florida foundation with unfettered charter focuses on how best to support partnerships…
- Case Study
What Are Three Principles for Supporting Nonprofit Capacity
There is not one “right way” to provide capacity-building support because each…
- Publication
Stories of Impact from the Social Innovation Fund
Stories of Impact from the Social Innovation Fund
- Case Study
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Bridgespan handout
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Bridgespan handout
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Background
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Background
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Groupaya Funder Alignment PPT
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Groupaya Funder Alignment PPT
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Presentation
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Presentation
- Partner Resources
The Promise and Pitfalls of Local and National Funder Collaborations
This guide presents the benefits and challenges of partnerships between local and…
- Publication
Many Hands, More Impact: Philanthropy's Role in Supporting Movements
GEO has prepared a publication that provides a framework for understanding the…
- Publication
Supporting Movements Conference Participant Roster
Supporting Movements Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Investing for Impact: Building the Capacity and Infrastructure of High-Performing Nonprofits
Investing for Impact: Building the Capacity and Infrastructure of High-Performing Nonprofits
- Publication
Member Story: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Member Story: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
- Case Study
Member Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
Member Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Working Better Together
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Executive Summary
Resource List: Working Better Together
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Partner Resources
Discussion Guide: Working Better Together
Working Better Together: Building Nonprofit Collaborative Capacity
- Guide
Working Better Together: Building Nonprofit Collaborative Capacity
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Sidney Hargro, Community Foundation of South Jersey
In this issue of GEOASKs, we talk to Sidney Hargro, executive director…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Berta Colon and Michele Lord, Public Interest Projects
In this issue of GEOASKS we talk to Berta Colón and Michele…
- Case Study
Discussion Guide: Four Essentials for Evaluation
How We Learn and How We Can Learn Better: A discussion guide…
- Guide
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - AIDS United
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - AIDS United
- Case Study
Cracking the Network Code: Four Principles for Grantmakers
We know that we need a different mindset to tackle complex, systemic…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Cracking the Network Code
As grantmakers and nonprofits are looking for ways to collaborate more effectively,…
- Executive Summary
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 3
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 3
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 1
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 1
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 2
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 2
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013 Participant Roster
The Learning Conference 2013 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Smarter Relationships, Better Results Webinar Series Part 1: The Right Relationship (slides)
Smarter Relationships, Better Results Webinar Series Part 1: The Right Relationship (slides)
- Event Materials
Member Story: Fairfield County Community Foundation
Member Story: Fairfield County Community Foundation
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, NCB Capital Impact
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, NCB Capital Impact
- Case Study
Smarter Relationships, Better Results: Making the most of grantmakers' work with intermediaries
Grantmakers often work with intermediaries to extend their reach and impact. This…
- Publication
Annotated Bibliography: Smarter Relationships, Better Results
Annotated Bibliography: Smarter Relationships, Better Results
- Partner Resources
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - The Edna McConnell…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mile High United Way
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mile High United…
- Event Materials
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - NCB Capital Impact
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - NCB Capital Impact
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Corporation for Supportive Housing
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Corporation for Supportive…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mayor's Fund to…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - U.S. Soccer Foundation
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - REDF
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - REDF
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - LISC
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - LISC
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Missouri Foundation for Health
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Missouri Foundation for…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Foundation for a…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, AIDS United
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, AIDS United
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way of…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - U.S. Soccer Foundation
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Pathways to Grow Impact
Whether you are strategically working to scale up some of your successful…
- Executive Summary
Discussion Guide: Pathways to Grow Impact
Growing Your Impact: A Discussion Guide for Grantmakers
- Guide
Member Story: Allegany Franciscan Ministries
Member Story: Allegany Franciscan Ministries
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way for…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Venture Philanthropy Partners
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Venture Philanthropy Partners
- Case Study
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Proteus Fund presentation
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Proteus Fund presentation
- Event Materials
Pathways to Grow Impact: Philanthropy's Role in the Journey
Pathways to Grow Impact is for any grantmaker who wants his or…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Vic De Luca, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks, we speak to Vic De Luca, president…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Susan Phillips, Omidyar Network
In this issue of GEO Asks, Susan Phillips, vice president of human…
- Case Study
Great Power, Great Responsibility: Grantmakers' Role as Conveners
Funders are finding ways to use the power of convening to benefit…
- Publication
Building Community Capacity for Participation in Evaluation: Why It Matters and What Works
This briefing shares five principles for engaging community stakeholders in evaluation planning,…
- Publication
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Nov. 2012 Member Spotlight: George Kaiser Family Foundation
- Case Study
Learn and Let Learn
This publication explores how learning communities can be powerful tools in creating…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Alice Shobe, Building Changes
In this issue’s GEO ASKS we talk to Alice Shobe, executive director…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Grantmakers Engaged in the Social Innovation Fund (2010-2012) as Collaborating Funders
Scaling What Works: Grantmakers Engaged in the Social Innovation Fund (2010-2012) as…
- Publication
Strategic Co-Funding: An Approach for Expanded Impact
Co-published by GEO and REDF as an update to REDF's 2008 article…
- Publication
Member Story: Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
Member Story: Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
- Case Study
Unrestricted Funding Member Story: Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
Unrestricted Funding Member Story: Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
- Case Study
Member Story: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
Member Story: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Rebekah Levin, McCormick Foundaiton
In this issue of GEO ASKS, GEO speaks with Rebekah Levin, evaluation…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - New Profit Inc.
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - New Profit Inc.
- Case Study
Four Essentials for Evaluation
Evaluation is about more than ensuring that grantees are doing what they…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Four Essentials for Evaluation
This is the Executive Summary of GEO's latest publication, Four Essentials for…
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Darell Hammond, KaBoom
Darell Hammond is the founder and CEO of KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit…
- Case Study
Collaborative Funding for Greater Impact: A Case Study of the Cincinnati Experience, Lessons Learned from the Social Innovation Fund
Collaborative Funding for Greater Impact: A Case Study of the Cincinnati Experience,…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Jobs for the Future, Inc. and the National Fund for Workforce Solutions
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Jobs for the…
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GEOAsks: Andy Goodman, The Goodman Center
In this issue’s GEO ASKS we talk to author, speaker and public…
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Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Resource Sheet for Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping & Analysis Session
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Resource Sheet for Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping…
- Partner Resources
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Helping Established Organizations Develop a Network Mindset
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Helping Established Organizations Develop a Network Mindset
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Understanding and Activating Networks: The ReAmp Case Study and Evaluation
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Understanding and Activating Networks: The ReAmp Case Study and…
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: The Strategy Landscape
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: The Strategy Landscape
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Network Weaving
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Network Weaving
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping and Analysis
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping and Analysis
- Event Materials
GEOAsks: Christine Van Bergeijk of the Hawaii Community Foundation
In this issue, GEO ASKS Christine van Bergeijk, vice president of programs…
- Case Study
Catalyzing Networks for Social Change: A Funder's Guide
Networks for social change can help with building new capacity for making…
- Guide
Discussion Guide: Catalyzing Networks for Social Change
Catalyzing Networks for Social Change: A discussion guide for grantmakers
- Guide
Executive Summary: Widespread Empathy
This is an executive summary of the publication, Widespread Empathy, from GEO…
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Widespread Empathy: 5 Steps to Achieving Greater Impact in Philanthropy
Through examples from the field, the publication provides concrete steps grantmakers can…
- Publication
St. Louis County Children's Service Fund
GEO 2011 August GEONews Member Spotlight: St. Louis County Children's Service Fund
- Case Study
Member Story: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Member Story: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
- Case Study
Member Story: The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
Member Story: The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
- Case Study
New York State Health Foundation
The New York State Health Foundation has begun to make more strategic…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Ken Saxon, Courage to Lead
In this spring’s issue, GEO ASKS Ken Saxon, board leader, facilitator and…
- Case Study
Member Story: W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation
To have a greater reach and influence in their respective communities, both…
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Using Evaluation to Become an Effective Learning Organization Tear Sheet
Using Evaluation to Become an Effective Learning Organization
- Publication
Engaging Stakeholders for More Effective Grantmaking Tear Sheet
Engaging Stakeholders for More Effective Grantmaking Tear Sheet
- Publication
GEOAsks: Paul Grogan, The Boston Foundation
This month GEO ASKS Paul Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston…
- Case Study
Member Story: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Member Story: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Due Diligence Done Well
The executive summary for Due Diligence Done Well.
- Executive Summary
- Publication
Due Diligence Done Well: A Guide for Grantmakers
Selecting the right grantee partners is one of the most important jobs…
Indicators of Organizational Effectiveness Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
Indicators of Organizational Effectiveness Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Question Guide for Due Diligence Conversations: Due Diligence Done Well
Question Guide for Due Diligence Conversations: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Grantmaker Examples: Due Diligence Done Well
Grantmaker Examples: Due Dilligence Done Well
- Publication
Materials for Review Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
Due Diligence Done Well: Possible Materials for Review
- Guide
Question Guide for Initial Review: Due Diligence Done Well
Question Guide for Initial Review: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Member Story: Lancaster County Community Foundation
Member Story: Lancaster County Community Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Peter Laugharn, Firelight Foundation
This month GEO ASKS Peter Laugharn, executive director of the Firelight Foundation…
- Case Study
Do Nothing About Me Without Me: An Action Guide for Engaging Stakeholders
There is a growing movement in philanthropy — a movement founded on…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Do Nothing About Me Without Me
This is an executive summary of the publication, Do Nothing About Me…
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Lesley Grady, The Community for Greater Atlanta
This month GEO ASKS talks about stakeholder engagement with Lesley Grady, senior…
- Case Study
How Grantmakers Can Help Address Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits
Addressing Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits: Five Strategies for Grantmakers
- Publication
Leadership Case Study: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Leadership Case Study: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
- Case Study
Coaching and Philanthropy: An Action Guide for Grantmakers
This guide was created as a resource for grantmakers as they explore…
- Guide
Executive Summary: Coaching and Philanthropy
Online toolkit Executive Summary Coaching and Philanthropy Action Guide for Grantmakers
- Executive Summary
Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
This publication offers a brief overview of how grantmakers are looking at…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
Executive Summary: Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Janine Mason, Fieldstone Foundation
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we talk about coaching with Janine Mason,…
- Case Study
Stories from the Field: Evaluation in Philanthropy
Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives and Stories from the Field
- Publication
GEOAsks: Mark Keane, The Atlantic Philanthropies
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we talk about evaluation with Mark Keane,…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Dev Patnaik, Jump Associates
Jump Associates helps “courageous leaders create new businesses and reinvent existing ones…
- Case Study
On The Money
This publication highlights the financial challenges nonprofits face and the ways in…
- Guide
Executive Summary: On The Money
Despite a wave of interest in recent years in what it takes…
- Executive Summary
Discussion Guide: On The Money
On The Money: A Discussion Guide for Grantmakers and Their Grantees
- Guide
GEOAsks: Gayle Williams, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation supports organizations and networks in the southeastern…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: John Weiler, The F.B. Heron Foundation
This month's GEOAsks focuses on one instrument The F.B. Heron Foundation uses…
- Case Study
Excerpt: Knowledge Gaps
An excerpt from GEO’s upcoming publication, On the Money: The Key Financial…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Simon Greer, Seasons Fund for Social Transformation
This month’s GEO ASKS focuses on the Season’s Fund for Social Transformation,…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Ed Egnatios, Skillman Foundation
This month’s GEO ASKS focuses on The Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods program.
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Kevin L. Jenkins, Neighbor-Aid Fund
In this GEO ASKS, we pose questions to the Neighbor-AID Fund, an…
- Case Study
Annual Report 2008
GEO's 2008 Annual Report covers ten years of smarter grantmaking, stronger nonprofits…
- Annual Report
Smarter Grantmaking in Challenging Economic Times
A collection of resources and examples of GEO members showing steady leadership…
- Publication
Executive Summary: General Operating Support
A study about general operating support grantmaking. The findings challenge the conventional…
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Executive Summary: Investing in Leadership Vol. 2
This volume is intended for donors, staff members and leaders of grantmaking…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Supporting Next-Generation Leadership
Finding tomorrow's nonprofit leaders requires more than beating the bushes for fresh…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Assessing the Impact
A presentation of two approaches in assessing the impact of general operating…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Investing in Leadership Vol. 1
Given the vast literature on leadership development and the challenges of translating…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Imagine Involve Implement
Real change is happening in philanthropy as pioneering grantmakers find new ways…
- Executive Summary
Supporting Next-Generation Leadership: Action Guide
Finding tomorrow?s nonprofit leaders requires more than beating the bushes for fresh…
- Publication
Assessing the Impact: General Operating Support Volume 2
Many grantmakers agree that general operating support can boost effectiveness and impact…
- Guide
- Publication
Mapping a Strategy: Three Approaches to General Operating Support
General operating support insights, lessons and ongoing explorations from The Philadelphia Foundation,…
- Publication
What is Coaching and What are the Benefits?
Coaching is a process that supports individuals to make more conscious decisions…
- Playbook
Discussion Guide: Investing in Leadership Vol.2
Discussion Guide: Investing in Leadership Vol.2
- Guide
Imagine Involve Implement: Action Guide
Real change is happening in philanthropy as pioneering grantmakers find new ways…
- Guide
The Departing: Exiting Nonprofit Leaders as a Resource for Social Change
The study presents a variety of approaches to leveraging departing executive directors…
General Operating Support: Action Guide
What is general operating support? How are grantmakers providing it? GEO's answer…
- Guide
- Publication
Learning for Results
This publication explores what it means to be a "learning organization;" how…
- Publication
Listen, Learn, Lead: Grantmaker Practices that Support Nonprofit Results
GEO's Change Agent Project seeks to inspire change in grantmakers so they…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Listen, Learn, Lead
GEO's Change Agent Project seeks to inspire change in grantmakers so they…
- Executive Summary
Investing in Leadership (Vol. 2): Inspiration and Ideas from Philanthropy's Latest Frontier
This publication explores a sampling of the leadership development practices being utilized…
- Publication
Investing in Leadership (Vol. 1): A Grantmaker's Framework for Understanding Nonprofit Leadership Development
Given the vast literature on leadership development and the challenges of translating…
- Publication
Assessing Startup Organizations: A due diligence supplement for grantmakers
Assessing Startup Organizations: A due diligence supplement for grantmakers
- Toolkit
In Search of Strategic Solutions
This publication is the result of a five-year national study on strategic…
- Playbook
Capacity Building for Impact: The Future of Effectiveness for Nonprofits
Capacity Building for Impact: The Future of Effectiveness for Nonprofits
- Publication
2025 Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship Informational Webinar
Join this webinar to learn more about GEO’s signature fellowship program, the…
- Webinar
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
Change Leaders Community Quarterly Call
A quarterly conversation with current and former Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellows…
- Peer Communities
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
2025 Learning Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2025 Learning Conference, hosted in partnership with…
- Conferences
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
Change Leaders Community Quarterly Call
A quarterly conversation with current and former Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellows…
- Peer Communities
2026 National Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2026 National Conference, from June 1 –…
- Conferences
2027 Learning Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2027 Learning Conference, from May 25-26, 2027…
- Conferences
Flexible, Reliable Funding
Flexible, reliable funding—such as general operating support, multiyear grants, and funds that cover indirect costs—is a necessary expression of trust in nonprofits and communities to shape the futures they seek.
Flexible, Reliable Funding Resources & Events
Website Quick Start Guide
Visit our new website at: https://www.geofunders.org GEO members – First-time and Returning…
GEO Breakthrough Partnership
After 25 years of working to transform philanthropy to meet the evolving…
Investing in Capacity Building: Lessons from the Cedarmere Foundation
Cedarmere is a name that evokes memories and connection to family history.…
- Partner Resources
Reevaluating Practice: Reimagining Philanthropy
This report is a final offering to philanthropy from the Hazen Foundation…
- Partner Resources
Arkansas Enterpise Capital Grant Fund Fact Sheet
Financial capital provides the fuel for all enterprises, regardless of tax status.…
- Partner Resources
A Change Management & Deep Equity Primer: The What, Why, How & Nuance
This publication from Movement Tapestries offers insights and guidance for organizations navigating…
- Publication
Annual Report 2021
In this report, we are excited to share examples that illustrate some…
- Annual Report
Centering Equity through Flexible, Reliable Funding
With this guide, GEO seeks to reassert the value of flexible, reliable…
- Publication
A Guide for Trustees Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
Strengthening nonprofit organizations is not just a nice-to-have, but an essential part…
- Guide
Executive Summary: Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
With racial equity becoming more and more central to the work of…
- Executive Summary
Annual Report 2018-2020
Across the philanthropic sector, the last several years have been a clear…
- Annual Report
Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
This publication builds on the principles outlined in Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity and…
- Publication
Shifting the Evaluation Paradigm: The Equitable Evaluation Framework™
This publication provides an overview of the impetus for the Equitable Evaluation…
- Publication
Learning in Philanthropy: A Guidebook
When grantmakers focus on learning for improvement, we use evaluation and learning…
- Guide
Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning Toolkit Brief
The brief introduces the "Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning: Toolkit"…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning
The Executive Summary introduces the "Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning:…
- Executive Summary
Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning: A Toolkit
The fields of strategic learning and evaluation have also grown and shifted…
- Publication
GEO’s Resources on Equity
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Publication
Get on the Balcony: How Grantmakers Can Ignite Change
This publication seeks to offer some helpful approaches for jump-starting a change…
- Publication
GEO’s Resources on Capacity Building and Leadership Development
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Case Study
- Publication
- Related Materials
Organizational Culture: Articles and Readings
This list compiles articles, reports and other readings on each phase of…
- Partner Resources
Worksheet: Our Culture Story
Get clarity around the specific behaviors, actions and outcomes you are currently…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Acknowledgments
This list of people helped to make GEO's Culture Resource Guide possible.
- Guide
Creating Culture Together at the GHR Foundation
As they contemplated a period of significant growth in the foundation’s assets…
- Partner Resources
Worksheet: Culture Tightrope
Your organization’s values are often balanced by an opposite value. One way…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Seeing and Understanding Culture
This conversation starter will explore how foundation leaders have made organizational culture…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Translating Values into Practice
Values gain meaning and immediacy when they have a direct connection to…
- Publication
Conversation Starter: Disrupting Culture
Making culture more visible often begins the process of changing it. Once…
- Publication
Worksheet: Anthropologists Game
Get past what your organization says it values to uncover the hard-to-see,…
- Guide
Worksheet: Culture Mascot
Create a clear picture of the culture that your organization aspires to…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Understanding Incentives
When certain aspects of the “old” culture seem intractable, even though new…
- Guide
Facilitation Guide: Aligning Behaviors and Values
This exercise is designed to surface the areas in which an organization’s…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: How CEO & Senior Leader Relationships Shape Culture
The relationship between the CEO and her right hand person (or people)…
- Publication
Culture Resource Guide: Tend
Creating a productive foundation culture — one that accelerates impact and supports…
- Guide
Using Key Moments to Shape Culture: The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust
With the retirement of their long-time CEO and a milestone distribution to…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Shift
Shifting culture doesn’t simply mean developing a fresh values statement or identifying…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Overview
After more than 15 years promoting grantmaker practices that support nonprofit results,…
- Guide
Worksheet: Culture Lily Pond Activity
Culture is the collective behaviors and underlying assumptions of an organization. How…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Assess
Once we have gained a good understanding of the culture of our…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Understand
A productive internal culture aligned with a foundation’s mission and goals is…
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Funding for Justice and Change
To achieve our vision for individuals and communities, grantmakers must work to…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: The GEO Community at 20
Over the last 20 years, the GEO community has worked to transform…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Automating Austerity
Virginia Eubanks, professor at the University at Albany, SUNY and author of…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Creating Space for Systems Change
Raj Jayadev of Silicon Valley De-Bug shared how De-Bug has been transforming…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Inclusive Grantmaking Requires Breaking Norms
Christina Canales Gorczynski highlighted the Simmons Foundation's work to address the power…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Stories as Catalysts for Widespread Change
American culture and narratives are rooted in a collective ambivalence about how…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: The Implications of Implicit Bias
Focusing on equity necessitates reflection on ourselves and reckoning with the impact…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Centering Philanthropic Change in Community
Organizations seeking to support authentic change on complex, multi-layered issues often find…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Using Restorative Justice to Transform Racialized Harm in the U.S.
Fania Davis highlighted efforts bubbling up across the nation and shared strategies…
- Event Materials
General Operating Support: A Guide for Trustees
There is overwhelming evidence that general operating support grants can have significant…
- Publication
GEO's Resources on Learning and Evaluation
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Related Materials
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: John T. Vucurevich Foundation
Collaborations for Change is a strategy used by the John T. Vucurevich…
- Case Study
GEO's Resources on Culture and Change Management
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Home Team Meetups
Leading change requires us to be bold, yet transformation can be intense…
- Event Materials
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Finding the Power to Drive Transformational Change
Hear individual grantmakers in different organizational roles share inspiring stories of how…
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Grantmakers’ Role in Supporting Systems Change
For grantmakers who see themselves as champions of progress and change, the…
- Guide
Making Meaningful Change
GEO frequently hears that grantmakers, no matter their role, want to make…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Social Venture Partners Arizona
Increasing nonprofit capacity to deliver positive social impact through multiyear, general operating…
- Case Study
Is Grantmaking Getting Smarter?
Through our research over the past 20 years, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations…
- Publication
Member Call: How Can We Be In This Together? Highlights and Resources
Highlights, Key Takeaways and Resources from the October 16, 2017, Member Call:…
- Event Materials
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: The Florida Bar Foundation
By confronting gaps between its mission and its way of doing business,…
- Case Study
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: GAR Foundation
How GAR Foundation is narrowing its focus to have a deeper impact…
- Case Study
Trustees as Partners in Learning and Evaluation
This piece is written to help foundation trustees navigate their own role…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Vancouver Foundation
How Vancouver Foundation made progress by getting out of the way and…
- Case Study
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Culture in Action
Recognizing the need for adopting and maintaining a learning culture in our…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Visualizing Data for Your Audience
Jon Schwabish’s Short Talk at GEO’s Learning Conference 2017 offered ways to…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Listening to Communities for Transformational Change
At GEO’s Learning Conference 2017, Rami Nashashibi, the executive director of the…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Disrupting a City's Culture Using Evidence-Based Optimism
As the managing director of Chicago Beyond, a philanthropic venture investing in…
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Who Do You Think We Are?
At GEO’s Learning Conference 2017, Trabian Shorters of the BMe Community discussed…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Escaping the Echo Chamber
Jessamyn Shams-Lau, the executive director of the Peery Foundation, gave a Short…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Learning and Equity Plenary
Grantmakers committed to equity know that it must be incorporated into every…
- Event Materials
- Guide
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
How listening to the needs of its community inspired a foundation to…
- Case Study
Exploring Microcultures and Why They Matter
This is a publication about microcultures in philanthropy — small groups of…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
How empowering community members through capacity building and collaboration strengthens engagement to…
- Case Study
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: GHR Foundation
How co-designing with grantees and partners from Day 1 can lead to…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Janée Woods, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
In this GEOAsks, Janée Woods, Director of Organizational Culture at WCGMF, talks…
- Case Study
The Annie E. Casey Foundation Grantmaking with a Racial Equity Lens
Embracing Equity: 7 Steps to Advance and Embed Race Equity and Inclusion…
- Partner Resources
Year in Review 2016
In 2016, we prioritized finding new ways to build connections with each…
- Case Study
Change Incubator Story — What Are Some Whys and Hows of Grantee Inclusion?
We are interested in expanding beyond the idea of inclusion, which still…
- Case Study
How Can We Prepare for Collaboration?
In recent years there has been an increased call for more collaboration…
- Publication
Discussion Guide: Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity
Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity: A Discussion Guide for Starting Internal and External Conversations
- Guide
GEOASKS: Sarah Cotton Nelson and Ann Marie Warrick, Communities Foundation of Texas
In this GEOAsks, Communities Foundation of Texas shares how it shaped its…
- Case Study
Member Story: Social Venture Partners Seattle
Member Story: Social Venture Partners Seattle
- Case Study
Shaping Culture Through Key Moments
Every organization experiences moments when it has opportunities to tend its culture…
- Publication
What Does It Take to Learn Together Well?
When we learn with others, we are not simply conducting final program…
- Playbook
Collaboration Profile: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation takes an intentional approach to supporting…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Kaiser Permanente
Capturing and documenting how and when to partner with others so staff…
- Partner Resources
Collaboration Profile: Iowa West Foundation
Shifting from responsive grantmaking to strategic investments requires new skill sets, a…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: United Way of Washtenaw County
United Way of Washtenaw County believed nonprofits could achieve greater impact with…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Woods Fund Chicago
Woods Fund Chicago, a member of the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, demonstrates…
- Partner Resources
Collaboration Profile: The Philadelphia Foundation
Supporting nonprofit collaboration by building funder collaborations.
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Sand Hill Foundation
Sand Hill Foundation’s adaptability helped sustain a long-term funder–nonprofit collaborative even as…
- Case Study
GEOASKS: Michael Roberts, First Nations Development Institute
Investing in grantee capacity effectively requires more than just writing a check…
- Case Study
Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity
By supporting organizations to strengthen their leadership and improve the ability of…
- Publication
Member Story: The Missouri Foundation for Health
Member Story: The Missouri Foundation for Health
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Tawanna Black, Northside Funders Group
In this GEOAsks, we interviewed Tawanna Black, Executive Director of the Northside…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Fannie E. Rippel Foundation
Member Story: The Fannie E. Rippel Foundation
- Case Study
Change Incubator Story — What Grantee Inclusion Means to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation feels it…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Danielle Breslin, The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
In this GEOAsks, we interviewed Danielle Breslin, vice president of the Blue…
- Case Study
2016 National Conference Participant Roster
2016 National Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Member Story: Dallas Women's Foundation
How Dallas Women’s Foundation’s commitment to empathy has shaped its approach to…
- Case Study
Member Story: United Way of Greenville County
Member Story: United Way of Greenville County
- Case Study
Systems Grantmaking Resource Guide
Philanthropy is ever on a quest to increase effectiveness. Over the last…
- Guide
Change Incubator Story — How I Lost My Job
My name is Brad Cameron, and I’m a program associate at the…
- Case Study
Member Story: Greater Houston Community Foundation
Member Story: Greater Houston Community Foundation
- Case Study
Building Collaboration From the Inside Out
Looking inward and ensuring that an organization has the right elements in…
- Publication
Collaboration Profile: Dallas Women's Foundation
Participating in the North Texas Asset Funders Network provided an opportunity for…
- Case Study
Discussion Starter: Our Culture
The discussion starter can be used to delve into questions that are…
- Publication
The Collaboration Conference 2015 Participant Roster
The Collaboration Conference 2015 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
The Source Codes of Foundation Culture
Philanthropy evolves slowly, despite (or maybe because of) very few external constraints…
- Publication
How Do We Determine the Right Role to Play in Collaboration?
Collaborations — groups of grantmakers, nonprofits and other stakeholders aligning around a…
- Publication
Collaboration Profile: Missouri Foundation for Health
Using facilitation skills and developmental evaluation tools to build a more collaborative…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Greater Houston Community Foundation
Responding to donor interest in achieving greater impact through collaboration.
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Madeleine Frey, Health Care Georgia Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Madeleine Frey, director of…
- Case Study
How Can We Help Our Grantees Strengthen Their Capacity for Evaluation?
There is widespread and growing recognition in the nonprofit sector about the…
- Publication
What Does It Take to Spend Down Successfully?
Increasing numbers of grantmakers are opting for a spend-down strategy — meaning…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Stakeholder Engagement?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers as we…
- Playbook
2015 Learning Conference Resources: Data Viz Checklist (Stephanie Evergreen)
2015 Learning Conference Resources: Data Viz Checklist (Stephanie Evergreen)
- Event Materials
2015 Learning Conference Rsources: Chart Chooser 2.0 (Stephanie Evergreen)
2015 Learning Conference Rsources: Chart Chooser 2.0 (Stephanie Evergreen)
- Event Materials
Learning Together Profile: Skillman Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Skillman Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Deaconess Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Deaconess Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Stuart Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Stuart Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together: Actionable Approaches for Grantmakers
Grantees and other stakeholders are critical partners in the achievement of grantmakers’…
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Resource List: Learning Together
Learning Together: Actionable Approaches for Grantmakers
- Case Study
- Partner Resources
Discussion Guide: Learning Together
Learning Together: A Discussion Guide for Funders and Partners
- Guide
Learning Together Profile: The Cleveland Foundation
Learning Together Profile: The Cleveland Foundation
- Case Study
The Learning Conference 2015 Participant Roster
The Learning Conference 2015 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Member Story: Pennsylvania Humanities Council
Member Story: Pennsylvania Humanities Council
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations
Grantmaker redesigns their grant workflow to improve efficiency and effectiveness for program…
- Playbook
GEOAsks: Adam Simon, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
In this GEOAsks interview, Adam Simon, director of leadership initiatives at the…
- Case Study
Leveraging Social Sector Leadership
What do social sector leaders need to help them succeed and, just…
- Publication
Member Story: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Member Story: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
- Case Study
Discussion Guide: Stakeholder Engagement
To Engagement and Beyond: A discussion guide for grantmakers
- Guide
What Are Different Ways to Engage Stakeholders?
A host of specific practices and activities can help grantmakers bring the…
- Publication
What Financial Challenges Do Nonprofits Face?
Financial struggles are a reality for many nonprofits, even those with excellent…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Becky Pastner, St. David's Foundation
In this issue of IMPACT we hear from Becky Pastner, a program…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
Member Story: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Kathleen Holmes, Missouri Foundation for Health
In this issue, we talk to Kathleen Holmes, director of the Infant…
- Case Study
Is Grantmaking Getting Smarter?
Grantmakers recognize the value of supporting effective, well-led organizations - strong organizations…
- Publication
GEO Field Survey 2014: Major Trends in Grantmakers' Attitudes and Practices
GEO Field Survey 2014: Major Trends in Grantmakers' Attitudes and Practices
- White Paper
GEOAsks: Elizabeth Christopherson, Rita Allen Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Elizabeth Christopherson, president and…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Dr. Gail Christopher, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
In this GEOAsks interview, we talk to Dr. Gail Christopher, vice president…
- Case Study
Member Story: Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
Member Story: Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
- Case Study
Remote Learning Fall 2014 Own Work Examples and Worksheet
Remote Learning Fall 2014 Own Work Examples and Worksheet
- Guide
Member Story: Southwest Florida Community Foundation
Member Story: Southwest Florida Community Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Anne Sherman, The Social Impact Exchange
n this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Anne Sherman, vice president…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Pierce Family Foundation
Chicago foundation provides multiyear operating grants to core grantees, plus a range…
- Case Study
What Makes a Successful Learning Community?
Learning communities are powerful vehicles for both individuals and communities to amass…
- Publication
What Are the Key Things We Need to Know About Organizational Assessments?
Many grantmakers use organizational assessments as a first step in capacity-building support…
- Playbook
What Mindset is Needed to Support Collaboration?
Throughout history, social change has been possible only through the contributions and…
- Publication
What is Collective Leadership and How Can Grantmakers Support It?
With growing recognition of the complexity of the issues the nonprofit sector…
- Playbook
What do Nonprofits Need to Make Leadership Development a Priority?
A nonprofit organization’s resiliency and capacity to navigate change successfully depends largely…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers who are…
- Partner Resources
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Leadership Development?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers seeking more…
- Partner Resources
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Nonprofit Capacity Building?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers in exploring,…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Collaboration?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers in exploring…
- Partner Resources
How Do We Know If a Grantee is a Good Candidate for General Operating Support?
The primary purpose of providing general operating support is to give grantees…
- Playbook
How Do We Know If Our Stakeholder Engagement is Working?
Effective stakeholder engagement starts and ends with respect — respect for the…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Learning and Evaluation?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers as we…
- Playbook
What is a Learning Organization?
Learning in philanthropy can happen in any number of ways — from…
- Playbook
How Do We Select the Right Evaluation Approach for the Job?
The most difficult part of evaluation can be to know where to…
- Playbook
How Will We Know If Our Capacity-Building Support is Working?
One of the biggest barriers to supporting capacity building is knowing how…
- Playbook
Evaluating Community Change: A Framework for Grantmakers
Philanthropy works to improve conditions in communities so that life is better…
- Publication
Evaluating Community Change: A Framework for Grantmakers (text version)
Philanthropy works to improve conditions in communities so that life is better…
- Publication
Member Story: The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
Member Story: The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Vini Bhansali, IDEX
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Rajasvini Bhansali, executive director…
- Case Study
What is General Operating Support and Why is it Important?
How can grantmakers expect nonprofits to deliver on their missions when many…
- Playbook
What Capacities do Nonprofits Need in Order to Collaborate?
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Publication
How Do We Know if Our Network is Effective?
Networks of nonprofits, funders and other partners have the potential to build…
- Publication
Which Stakeholders Should We Involve in Our Decisions and How?
Taking time early in the grantmaking process to map out the stakeholders…
- Publication
How Do We Build and Maintain Authentic Relationships?
While we may not be able to totally remove the inherent power…
- Publication
What is Empathy and What Are the Benefits?
Empathy is one of the main reasons individual and institutional philanthropy exist.…
- Publication
What Does Effective Due Diligence Look Like?
Due diligence is a process that helps grantmakers get to know grantseekers.…
- Publication
How Can We Evaluate the Impact of Our General Operating Support Grants?
Grantmakers increasingly are turning to general operating support to ensure that nonprofits…
- Playbook
Member Story: Blue Shield of California Foundation
Member Story: Blue Shield of California Foundation
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Social Venture Partners Seattle
SVP Seattle engages volunteer and paid consultants to help “investees” make the…
- Playbook
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Lumpkin Family Foundation
Illinois grantmaker embraces capacity building as a priority and supports a new…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Weingart Foundation
Southern California grantmaker makes the switch to core support for majority of…
- Playbook
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Venture Philanthropy Partners
Washington, D.C. grantmaker combines large, multiyear investments in youth-serving organizations with consulting…
- Playbook
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Arkansas grantmaker supports nonprofit networks to promote field wide learning.
- Playbook
Who is Building Nonprofit Capacity? Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
Place-based funder invests in range of organizational effectiveness programs, including deep, cohort-based…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? The Gifford Foundation
Foundation embraces community engagement, mobilizes residents and grantees to help make mini-grant…
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Grantmaker builds on longtime focus on evaluation by making organizational learning a…
- Case Study
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? St. David's Foundation
Growing health foundation embraces multiyear funding and streamlined application and reporting in…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Local liaisons help Connecticut grantmaker stay connected to communities involved in statewide…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? Orton Family Foundation
Vermont foundation adopts high-engagement approach to supporting cities and towns to design…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Hawaii Community Foundation
New unrestricted support program yields unexpected benefits for other grantmaking.
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Mile High United Way
Denver-area United Way embraces need to strengthen the capacity of organizations and…
- Playbook
- Publication
Who is Working Well Together? Marguerite Casey Foundation
Seattle-based grantmaker builds regional networks of organizations working to engage low-income families…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who is Building Leadership Well? Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation
Foundation joins with other grantmakers to unite and support the next generation…
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Regional funder in the South adopts network-focused approach to grantmaking.
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? Bush Foundation
Foundation launches new initiative to support and encourage collaborative approaches to community…
- Case Study
Who is Building Leadership Well? The Durfee Foundation
Los Angeles grantmaker supports local nonprofit leaders through sabbaticals, fellowships, mentorships and…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? The Fieldstone Foundation
Grantmaker works with partners to strengthen leadership for the social sector in…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Community Foundation of South Jersey
Community foundation partners with other funders to bolster nonprofit board and leadership…
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? The Patterson Foundation
Who is Working Well Together? The Patterson Foundation
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Bruner Foundation
Family foundation advances the cause of evaluative thinking among nonprofits through support…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Cricket Island Foundation
Small funder seeks to maximize impact by providing eight years of general…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Arti Freeman, Ontario Trillium Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks, we hear from Arti Freeman of Ontario…
- Case Study
Member Story: Massachusetts Cultural Council
Member Story: Massachusetts Cultural Council
- Case Study
Where Should We Start in Using Evaluation as a Tool for Learning?
Many grantmakers agree that an increased focus on evaluation and learning can…
- Publication
How Can Grantmakers Facilitate Connections and Collaboration?
The urgency and complexity of the problems nonprofits and grantmakers are trying…
- Playbook
What is Stakeholder Engagement?
Many grantmakers are recognizing that in order to ensure better results, we…
- Publication
How Can We Embrace a Learning for Improvement Mindset?
A priority for grantmakers and our grantees is to create a space…
- Publication
What Roles Can Grantmakers Play in Supporting Networks?
Grantmakers of all kinds care about tangible progress on tough problems, but…
- Publication
Who Is Working Well Together? Jim Joseph Foundation
Grantmaker focused on education for Jewish young people embraces multiyear grants, funder…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Ohio grantmaker using cigarette-tax funds to invest in arts and culture makes…
- Playbook
Who Is Working Well Together? DentaQuest Foundation
Aiming to build a national movement, funder focused on oral health supports…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
- Case Study
- Publication
How Can We Support Capacity-Building Efforts?
Nonprofits need skilled leaders, strong systems and the flexibility to continuously improve…
- Publication
What is Nonprofit Capacity and Why Does it Matter?
Nonprofits need certain capacities in order to deliver results. These include things…
- Publication
What Makes for a Successful Leadership Development Approach?
Nonprofit leaders have complex jobs. In order to excel in their roles…
- Publication
How Can We Target Our Leadership Development Support?
It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the leadership capacity needs of…
- Playbook
Who is Having Success with Learning? Global Fund for Children
Global NGO develops tools to track grantee progress and its own performance.
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? The Colorado Health Foundation
Grantmaker refines evaluation model to enhance grantee and organizational accountability, while positioning…
- Playbook
- Publication
How Should We Approach Capacity-Building Work?
How Should We Approach Capacity-Building Work?
- Publication
How Can Grantmakers Support Movements?
Today, many grantmakers recognize the role of social movements in advancing opportunity,…
- Publication
What Are the Different Ways to Collaborate?
In the nonprofit sector there are various forms of collaboration, ranging in…
- Publication
How Can We Be More Supportive of Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
Grantmakers can take a number of steps to ensure that the support…
- Publication
2014 National Conference Participant Roster
2014 National Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Smarter Philanthropy for Greater Impact: Rethinking How Grantmakers Support Scale
This special supplement was created to capture the latest thinking about how…
- Publication
Member Story: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties
Member Story: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Paul Shoemaker, SVP Seattle
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we speak with Paul Shoemaker, executive connector…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Patterson Foundation
Florida foundation with unfettered charter focuses on how best to support partnerships…
- Case Study
What Are Three Principles for Supporting Nonprofit Capacity
There is not one “right way” to provide capacity-building support because each…
- Publication
Stories of Impact from the Social Innovation Fund
Stories of Impact from the Social Innovation Fund
- Case Study
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Bridgespan handout
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Bridgespan handout
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Background
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Background
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Groupaya Funder Alignment PPT
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Groupaya Funder Alignment PPT
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Presentation
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Presentation
- Partner Resources
The Promise and Pitfalls of Local and National Funder Collaborations
This guide presents the benefits and challenges of partnerships between local and…
- Publication
Many Hands, More Impact: Philanthropy's Role in Supporting Movements
GEO has prepared a publication that provides a framework for understanding the…
- Publication
Supporting Movements Conference Participant Roster
Supporting Movements Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Investing for Impact: Building the Capacity and Infrastructure of High-Performing Nonprofits
Investing for Impact: Building the Capacity and Infrastructure of High-Performing Nonprofits
- Publication
Member Story: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Member Story: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
- Case Study
Member Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
Member Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Working Better Together
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Executive Summary
Resource List: Working Better Together
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Partner Resources
Discussion Guide: Working Better Together
Working Better Together: Building Nonprofit Collaborative Capacity
- Guide
Working Better Together: Building Nonprofit Collaborative Capacity
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Sidney Hargro, Community Foundation of South Jersey
In this issue of GEOASKs, we talk to Sidney Hargro, executive director…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Berta Colon and Michele Lord, Public Interest Projects
In this issue of GEOASKS we talk to Berta Colón and Michele…
- Case Study
Discussion Guide: Four Essentials for Evaluation
How We Learn and How We Can Learn Better: A discussion guide…
- Guide
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - AIDS United
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - AIDS United
- Case Study
Cracking the Network Code: Four Principles for Grantmakers
We know that we need a different mindset to tackle complex, systemic…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Cracking the Network Code
As grantmakers and nonprofits are looking for ways to collaborate more effectively,…
- Executive Summary
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 3
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 3
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 1
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 1
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 2
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 2
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013 Participant Roster
The Learning Conference 2013 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Smarter Relationships, Better Results Webinar Series Part 1: The Right Relationship (slides)
Smarter Relationships, Better Results Webinar Series Part 1: The Right Relationship (slides)
- Event Materials
Member Story: Fairfield County Community Foundation
Member Story: Fairfield County Community Foundation
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, NCB Capital Impact
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, NCB Capital Impact
- Case Study
Smarter Relationships, Better Results: Making the most of grantmakers' work with intermediaries
Grantmakers often work with intermediaries to extend their reach and impact. This…
- Publication
Annotated Bibliography: Smarter Relationships, Better Results
Annotated Bibliography: Smarter Relationships, Better Results
- Partner Resources
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - The Edna McConnell…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mile High United Way
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mile High United…
- Event Materials
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - NCB Capital Impact
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - NCB Capital Impact
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Corporation for Supportive Housing
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Corporation for Supportive…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mayor's Fund to…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - U.S. Soccer Foundation
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - REDF
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - REDF
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - LISC
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - LISC
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Missouri Foundation for Health
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Missouri Foundation for…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Foundation for a…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, AIDS United
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, AIDS United
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way of…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - U.S. Soccer Foundation
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Pathways to Grow Impact
Whether you are strategically working to scale up some of your successful…
- Executive Summary
Discussion Guide: Pathways to Grow Impact
Growing Your Impact: A Discussion Guide for Grantmakers
- Guide
Member Story: Allegany Franciscan Ministries
Member Story: Allegany Franciscan Ministries
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way for…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Venture Philanthropy Partners
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Venture Philanthropy Partners
- Case Study
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Proteus Fund presentation
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Proteus Fund presentation
- Event Materials
Pathways to Grow Impact: Philanthropy's Role in the Journey
Pathways to Grow Impact is for any grantmaker who wants his or…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Vic De Luca, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks, we speak to Vic De Luca, president…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Susan Phillips, Omidyar Network
In this issue of GEO Asks, Susan Phillips, vice president of human…
- Case Study
Great Power, Great Responsibility: Grantmakers' Role as Conveners
Funders are finding ways to use the power of convening to benefit…
- Publication
Building Community Capacity for Participation in Evaluation: Why It Matters and What Works
This briefing shares five principles for engaging community stakeholders in evaluation planning,…
- Publication
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Nov. 2012 Member Spotlight: George Kaiser Family Foundation
- Case Study
Learn and Let Learn
This publication explores how learning communities can be powerful tools in creating…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Alice Shobe, Building Changes
In this issue’s GEO ASKS we talk to Alice Shobe, executive director…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Grantmakers Engaged in the Social Innovation Fund (2010-2012) as Collaborating Funders
Scaling What Works: Grantmakers Engaged in the Social Innovation Fund (2010-2012) as…
- Publication
Strategic Co-Funding: An Approach for Expanded Impact
Co-published by GEO and REDF as an update to REDF's 2008 article…
- Publication
Member Story: Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
Member Story: Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
- Case Study
Unrestricted Funding Member Story: Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
Unrestricted Funding Member Story: Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
- Case Study
Member Story: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
Member Story: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Rebekah Levin, McCormick Foundaiton
In this issue of GEO ASKS, GEO speaks with Rebekah Levin, evaluation…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - New Profit Inc.
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - New Profit Inc.
- Case Study
Four Essentials for Evaluation
Evaluation is about more than ensuring that grantees are doing what they…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Four Essentials for Evaluation
This is the Executive Summary of GEO's latest publication, Four Essentials for…
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Darell Hammond, KaBoom
Darell Hammond is the founder and CEO of KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit…
- Case Study
Collaborative Funding for Greater Impact: A Case Study of the Cincinnati Experience, Lessons Learned from the Social Innovation Fund
Collaborative Funding for Greater Impact: A Case Study of the Cincinnati Experience,…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Jobs for the Future, Inc. and the National Fund for Workforce Solutions
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Jobs for the…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Andy Goodman, The Goodman Center
In this issue’s GEO ASKS we talk to author, speaker and public…
- Case Study
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Resource Sheet for Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping & Analysis Session
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Resource Sheet for Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping…
- Partner Resources
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Helping Established Organizations Develop a Network Mindset
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Helping Established Organizations Develop a Network Mindset
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Understanding and Activating Networks: The ReAmp Case Study and Evaluation
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Understanding and Activating Networks: The ReAmp Case Study and…
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: The Strategy Landscape
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: The Strategy Landscape
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Network Weaving
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Network Weaving
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping and Analysis
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping and Analysis
- Event Materials
GEOAsks: Christine Van Bergeijk of the Hawaii Community Foundation
In this issue, GEO ASKS Christine van Bergeijk, vice president of programs…
- Case Study
Catalyzing Networks for Social Change: A Funder's Guide
Networks for social change can help with building new capacity for making…
- Guide
Discussion Guide: Catalyzing Networks for Social Change
Catalyzing Networks for Social Change: A discussion guide for grantmakers
- Guide
Executive Summary: Widespread Empathy
This is an executive summary of the publication, Widespread Empathy, from GEO…
- Executive Summary
Widespread Empathy: 5 Steps to Achieving Greater Impact in Philanthropy
Through examples from the field, the publication provides concrete steps grantmakers can…
- Publication
St. Louis County Children's Service Fund
GEO 2011 August GEONews Member Spotlight: St. Louis County Children's Service Fund
- Case Study
Member Story: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Member Story: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
- Case Study
Member Story: The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
Member Story: The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
- Case Study
New York State Health Foundation
The New York State Health Foundation has begun to make more strategic…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Ken Saxon, Courage to Lead
In this spring’s issue, GEO ASKS Ken Saxon, board leader, facilitator and…
- Case Study
Member Story: W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation
To have a greater reach and influence in their respective communities, both…
- Case Study
Using Evaluation to Become an Effective Learning Organization Tear Sheet
Using Evaluation to Become an Effective Learning Organization
- Publication
Engaging Stakeholders for More Effective Grantmaking Tear Sheet
Engaging Stakeholders for More Effective Grantmaking Tear Sheet
- Publication
GEOAsks: Paul Grogan, The Boston Foundation
This month GEO ASKS Paul Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston…
- Case Study
Member Story: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Member Story: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Due Diligence Done Well
The executive summary for Due Diligence Done Well.
- Executive Summary
- Publication
Due Diligence Done Well: A Guide for Grantmakers
Selecting the right grantee partners is one of the most important jobs…
Indicators of Organizational Effectiveness Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
Indicators of Organizational Effectiveness Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Question Guide for Due Diligence Conversations: Due Diligence Done Well
Question Guide for Due Diligence Conversations: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Grantmaker Examples: Due Diligence Done Well
Grantmaker Examples: Due Dilligence Done Well
- Publication
Materials for Review Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
Due Diligence Done Well: Possible Materials for Review
- Guide
Question Guide for Initial Review: Due Diligence Done Well
Question Guide for Initial Review: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Member Story: Lancaster County Community Foundation
Member Story: Lancaster County Community Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Peter Laugharn, Firelight Foundation
This month GEO ASKS Peter Laugharn, executive director of the Firelight Foundation…
- Case Study
Do Nothing About Me Without Me: An Action Guide for Engaging Stakeholders
There is a growing movement in philanthropy — a movement founded on…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Do Nothing About Me Without Me
This is an executive summary of the publication, Do Nothing About Me…
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Lesley Grady, The Community for Greater Atlanta
This month GEO ASKS talks about stakeholder engagement with Lesley Grady, senior…
- Case Study
How Grantmakers Can Help Address Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits
Addressing Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits: Five Strategies for Grantmakers
- Publication
Leadership Case Study: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Leadership Case Study: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
- Case Study
Coaching and Philanthropy: An Action Guide for Grantmakers
This guide was created as a resource for grantmakers as they explore…
- Guide
Executive Summary: Coaching and Philanthropy
Online toolkit Executive Summary Coaching and Philanthropy Action Guide for Grantmakers
- Executive Summary
Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
This publication offers a brief overview of how grantmakers are looking at…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
Executive Summary: Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Janine Mason, Fieldstone Foundation
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we talk about coaching with Janine Mason,…
- Case Study
Stories from the Field: Evaluation in Philanthropy
Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives and Stories from the Field
- Publication
GEOAsks: Mark Keane, The Atlantic Philanthropies
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we talk about evaluation with Mark Keane,…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Dev Patnaik, Jump Associates
Jump Associates helps “courageous leaders create new businesses and reinvent existing ones…
- Case Study
On The Money
This publication highlights the financial challenges nonprofits face and the ways in…
- Guide
Executive Summary: On The Money
Despite a wave of interest in recent years in what it takes…
- Executive Summary
Discussion Guide: On The Money
On The Money: A Discussion Guide for Grantmakers and Their Grantees
- Guide
GEOAsks: Gayle Williams, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation supports organizations and networks in the southeastern…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: John Weiler, The F.B. Heron Foundation
This month's GEOAsks focuses on one instrument The F.B. Heron Foundation uses…
- Case Study
Excerpt: Knowledge Gaps
An excerpt from GEO’s upcoming publication, On the Money: The Key Financial…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Simon Greer, Seasons Fund for Social Transformation
This month’s GEO ASKS focuses on the Season’s Fund for Social Transformation,…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Ed Egnatios, Skillman Foundation
This month’s GEO ASKS focuses on The Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods program.
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Kevin L. Jenkins, Neighbor-Aid Fund
In this GEO ASKS, we pose questions to the Neighbor-AID Fund, an…
- Case Study
Annual Report 2008
GEO's 2008 Annual Report covers ten years of smarter grantmaking, stronger nonprofits…
- Annual Report
Smarter Grantmaking in Challenging Economic Times
A collection of resources and examples of GEO members showing steady leadership…
- Publication
Executive Summary: General Operating Support
A study about general operating support grantmaking. The findings challenge the conventional…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Investing in Leadership Vol. 2
This volume is intended for donors, staff members and leaders of grantmaking…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Supporting Next-Generation Leadership
Finding tomorrow's nonprofit leaders requires more than beating the bushes for fresh…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Assessing the Impact
A presentation of two approaches in assessing the impact of general operating…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Investing in Leadership Vol. 1
Given the vast literature on leadership development and the challenges of translating…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Imagine Involve Implement
Real change is happening in philanthropy as pioneering grantmakers find new ways…
- Executive Summary
Supporting Next-Generation Leadership: Action Guide
Finding tomorrow?s nonprofit leaders requires more than beating the bushes for fresh…
- Publication
Assessing the Impact: General Operating Support Volume 2
Many grantmakers agree that general operating support can boost effectiveness and impact…
- Guide
- Publication
Mapping a Strategy: Three Approaches to General Operating Support
General operating support insights, lessons and ongoing explorations from The Philadelphia Foundation,…
- Publication
What is Coaching and What are the Benefits?
Coaching is a process that supports individuals to make more conscious decisions…
- Playbook
Discussion Guide: Investing in Leadership Vol.2
Discussion Guide: Investing in Leadership Vol.2
- Guide
Imagine Involve Implement: Action Guide
Real change is happening in philanthropy as pioneering grantmakers find new ways…
- Guide
The Departing: Exiting Nonprofit Leaders as a Resource for Social Change
The study presents a variety of approaches to leveraging departing executive directors…
General Operating Support: Action Guide
What is general operating support? How are grantmakers providing it? GEO's answer…
- Guide
- Publication
Learning for Results
This publication explores what it means to be a "learning organization;" how…
- Publication
Listen, Learn, Lead: Grantmaker Practices that Support Nonprofit Results
GEO's Change Agent Project seeks to inspire change in grantmakers so they…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Listen, Learn, Lead
GEO's Change Agent Project seeks to inspire change in grantmakers so they…
- Executive Summary
Investing in Leadership (Vol. 2): Inspiration and Ideas from Philanthropy's Latest Frontier
This publication explores a sampling of the leadership development practices being utilized…
- Publication
Investing in Leadership (Vol. 1): A Grantmaker's Framework for Understanding Nonprofit Leadership Development
Given the vast literature on leadership development and the challenges of translating…
- Publication
Assessing Startup Organizations: A due diligence supplement for grantmakers
Assessing Startup Organizations: A due diligence supplement for grantmakers
- Toolkit
In Search of Strategic Solutions
This publication is the result of a five-year national study on strategic…
- Playbook
Capacity Building for Impact: The Future of Effectiveness for Nonprofits
Capacity Building for Impact: The Future of Effectiveness for Nonprofits
- Publication
2025 Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship Informational Webinar
Join this webinar to learn more about GEO’s signature fellowship program, the…
- Webinar
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
Change Leaders Community Quarterly Call
A quarterly conversation with current and former Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellows…
- Peer Communities
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
2025 Learning Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2025 Learning Conference, hosted in partnership with…
- Conferences
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
Change Leaders Community Quarterly Call
A quarterly conversation with current and former Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellows…
- Peer Communities
2026 National Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2026 National Conference, from June 1 –…
- Conferences
2027 Learning Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2027 Learning Conference, from May 25-26, 2027…
- Conferences
Learning and Evaluation
When grantmakers focus on learning for improvement, we use evaluation and learning to generate information and insights that help us better understand both how we are doing in our work and how to improve. Above all, we ensure that learning and evaluation activities are in service of nonprofit and community goals.
Learning and Evaluation Resources & Events
Website Quick Start Guide
Visit our new website at: https://www.geofunders.org GEO members – First-time and Returning…
GEO Breakthrough Partnership
After 25 years of working to transform philanthropy to meet the evolving…
Investing in Capacity Building: Lessons from the Cedarmere Foundation
Cedarmere is a name that evokes memories and connection to family history.…
- Partner Resources
Reevaluating Practice: Reimagining Philanthropy
This report is a final offering to philanthropy from the Hazen Foundation…
- Partner Resources
Arkansas Enterpise Capital Grant Fund Fact Sheet
Financial capital provides the fuel for all enterprises, regardless of tax status.…
- Partner Resources
A Change Management & Deep Equity Primer: The What, Why, How & Nuance
This publication from Movement Tapestries offers insights and guidance for organizations navigating…
- Publication
Annual Report 2021
In this report, we are excited to share examples that illustrate some…
- Annual Report
Centering Equity through Flexible, Reliable Funding
With this guide, GEO seeks to reassert the value of flexible, reliable…
- Publication
A Guide for Trustees Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
Strengthening nonprofit organizations is not just a nice-to-have, but an essential part…
- Guide
Executive Summary: Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
With racial equity becoming more and more central to the work of…
- Executive Summary
Annual Report 2018-2020
Across the philanthropic sector, the last several years have been a clear…
- Annual Report
Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
This publication builds on the principles outlined in Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity and…
- Publication
Shifting the Evaluation Paradigm: The Equitable Evaluation Framework™
This publication provides an overview of the impetus for the Equitable Evaluation…
- Publication
Learning in Philanthropy: A Guidebook
When grantmakers focus on learning for improvement, we use evaluation and learning…
- Guide
Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning Toolkit Brief
The brief introduces the "Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning: Toolkit"…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning
The Executive Summary introduces the "Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning:…
- Executive Summary
Engaging Boards and Trustees in Strategic Learning: A Toolkit
The fields of strategic learning and evaluation have also grown and shifted…
- Publication
GEO’s Resources on Equity
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Publication
Get on the Balcony: How Grantmakers Can Ignite Change
This publication seeks to offer some helpful approaches for jump-starting a change…
- Publication
GEO’s Resources on Capacity Building and Leadership Development
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Case Study
- Publication
- Related Materials
Organizational Culture: Articles and Readings
This list compiles articles, reports and other readings on each phase of…
- Partner Resources
Worksheet: Our Culture Story
Get clarity around the specific behaviors, actions and outcomes you are currently…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Acknowledgments
This list of people helped to make GEO's Culture Resource Guide possible.
- Guide
Creating Culture Together at the GHR Foundation
As they contemplated a period of significant growth in the foundation’s assets…
- Partner Resources
Worksheet: Culture Tightrope
Your organization’s values are often balanced by an opposite value. One way…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Seeing and Understanding Culture
This conversation starter will explore how foundation leaders have made organizational culture…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Translating Values into Practice
Values gain meaning and immediacy when they have a direct connection to…
- Publication
Conversation Starter: Disrupting Culture
Making culture more visible often begins the process of changing it. Once…
- Publication
Worksheet: Anthropologists Game
Get past what your organization says it values to uncover the hard-to-see,…
- Guide
Worksheet: Culture Mascot
Create a clear picture of the culture that your organization aspires to…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: Understanding Incentives
When certain aspects of the “old” culture seem intractable, even though new…
- Guide
Facilitation Guide: Aligning Behaviors and Values
This exercise is designed to surface the areas in which an organization’s…
- Guide
Conversation Starter: How CEO & Senior Leader Relationships Shape Culture
The relationship between the CEO and her right hand person (or people)…
- Publication
Culture Resource Guide: Tend
Creating a productive foundation culture — one that accelerates impact and supports…
- Guide
Using Key Moments to Shape Culture: The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust
With the retirement of their long-time CEO and a milestone distribution to…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Shift
Shifting culture doesn’t simply mean developing a fresh values statement or identifying…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Overview
After more than 15 years promoting grantmaker practices that support nonprofit results,…
- Guide
Worksheet: Culture Lily Pond Activity
Culture is the collective behaviors and underlying assumptions of an organization. How…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Assess
Once we have gained a good understanding of the culture of our…
- Guide
Culture Resource Guide: Understand
A productive internal culture aligned with a foundation’s mission and goals is…
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Funding for Justice and Change
To achieve our vision for individuals and communities, grantmakers must work to…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: The GEO Community at 20
Over the last 20 years, the GEO community has worked to transform…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Automating Austerity
Virginia Eubanks, professor at the University at Albany, SUNY and author of…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Creating Space for Systems Change
Raj Jayadev of Silicon Valley De-Bug shared how De-Bug has been transforming…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Inclusive Grantmaking Requires Breaking Norms
Christina Canales Gorczynski highlighted the Simmons Foundation's work to address the power…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Stories as Catalysts for Widespread Change
American culture and narratives are rooted in a collective ambivalence about how…
- Event Materials
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: The Implications of Implicit Bias
Focusing on equity necessitates reflection on ourselves and reckoning with the impact…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Centering Philanthropic Change in Community
Organizations seeking to support authentic change on complex, multi-layered issues often find…
- Event Materials
- Guide
2018 National Conference Discussion Guide: Using Restorative Justice to Transform Racialized Harm in the U.S.
Fania Davis highlighted efforts bubbling up across the nation and shared strategies…
- Event Materials
General Operating Support: A Guide for Trustees
There is overwhelming evidence that general operating support grants can have significant…
- Publication
GEO's Resources on Learning and Evaluation
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Related Materials
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: John T. Vucurevich Foundation
Collaborations for Change is a strategy used by the John T. Vucurevich…
- Case Study
GEO's Resources on Culture and Change Management
In your first year of GEO membership, to help you stay informed…
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Home Team Meetups
Leading change requires us to be bold, yet transformation can be intense…
- Event Materials
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Finding the Power to Drive Transformational Change
Hear individual grantmakers in different organizational roles share inspiring stories of how…
- Guide
Leading Change Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Grantmakers’ Role in Supporting Systems Change
For grantmakers who see themselves as champions of progress and change, the…
- Guide
Making Meaningful Change
GEO frequently hears that grantmakers, no matter their role, want to make…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Social Venture Partners Arizona
Increasing nonprofit capacity to deliver positive social impact through multiyear, general operating…
- Case Study
Is Grantmaking Getting Smarter?
Through our research over the past 20 years, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations…
- Publication
Member Call: How Can We Be In This Together? Highlights and Resources
Highlights, Key Takeaways and Resources from the October 16, 2017, Member Call:…
- Event Materials
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: The Florida Bar Foundation
By confronting gaps between its mission and its way of doing business,…
- Case Study
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: GAR Foundation
How GAR Foundation is narrowing its focus to have a deeper impact…
- Case Study
Trustees as Partners in Learning and Evaluation
This piece is written to help foundation trustees navigate their own role…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Vancouver Foundation
How Vancouver Foundation made progress by getting out of the way and…
- Case Study
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Culture in Action
Recognizing the need for adopting and maintaining a learning culture in our…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Visualizing Data for Your Audience
Jon Schwabish’s Short Talk at GEO’s Learning Conference 2017 offered ways to…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Listening to Communities for Transformational Change
At GEO’s Learning Conference 2017, Rami Nashashibi, the executive director of the…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Disrupting a City's Culture Using Evidence-Based Optimism
As the managing director of Chicago Beyond, a philanthropic venture investing in…
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Who Do You Think We Are?
At GEO’s Learning Conference 2017, Trabian Shorters of the BMe Community discussed…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Escaping the Echo Chamber
Jessamyn Shams-Lau, the executive director of the Peery Foundation, gave a Short…
- Event Materials
- Guide
The Learning Conference 2017 Discussion Guide: Learning and Equity Plenary
Grantmakers committed to equity know that it must be incorporated into every…
- Event Materials
- Guide
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
How listening to the needs of its community inspired a foundation to…
- Case Study
Exploring Microcultures and Why They Matter
This is a publication about microcultures in philanthropy — small groups of…
- Publication
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
How empowering community members through capacity building and collaboration strengthens engagement to…
- Case Study
Smarter Grantmaking in Action: GHR Foundation
How co-designing with grantees and partners from Day 1 can lead to…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Janée Woods, William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
In this GEOAsks, Janée Woods, Director of Organizational Culture at WCGMF, talks…
- Case Study
The Annie E. Casey Foundation Grantmaking with a Racial Equity Lens
Embracing Equity: 7 Steps to Advance and Embed Race Equity and Inclusion…
- Partner Resources
Year in Review 2016
In 2016, we prioritized finding new ways to build connections with each…
- Case Study
Change Incubator Story — What Are Some Whys and Hows of Grantee Inclusion?
We are interested in expanding beyond the idea of inclusion, which still…
- Case Study
How Can We Prepare for Collaboration?
In recent years there has been an increased call for more collaboration…
- Publication
Discussion Guide: Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity
Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity: A Discussion Guide for Starting Internal and External Conversations
- Guide
GEOASKS: Sarah Cotton Nelson and Ann Marie Warrick, Communities Foundation of Texas
In this GEOAsks, Communities Foundation of Texas shares how it shaped its…
- Case Study
Member Story: Social Venture Partners Seattle
Member Story: Social Venture Partners Seattle
- Case Study
Shaping Culture Through Key Moments
Every organization experiences moments when it has opportunities to tend its culture…
- Publication
What Does It Take to Learn Together Well?
When we learn with others, we are not simply conducting final program…
- Playbook
Collaboration Profile: Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation takes an intentional approach to supporting…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Kaiser Permanente
Capturing and documenting how and when to partner with others so staff…
- Partner Resources
Collaboration Profile: Iowa West Foundation
Shifting from responsive grantmaking to strategic investments requires new skill sets, a…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: United Way of Washtenaw County
United Way of Washtenaw County believed nonprofits could achieve greater impact with…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Woods Fund Chicago
Woods Fund Chicago, a member of the Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, demonstrates…
- Partner Resources
Collaboration Profile: The Philadelphia Foundation
Supporting nonprofit collaboration by building funder collaborations.
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Sand Hill Foundation
Sand Hill Foundation’s adaptability helped sustain a long-term funder–nonprofit collaborative even as…
- Case Study
GEOASKS: Michael Roberts, First Nations Development Institute
Investing in grantee capacity effectively requires more than just writing a check…
- Case Study
Strengthening Nonprofit Capacity
By supporting organizations to strengthen their leadership and improve the ability of…
- Publication
Member Story: The Missouri Foundation for Health
Member Story: The Missouri Foundation for Health
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Tawanna Black, Northside Funders Group
In this GEOAsks, we interviewed Tawanna Black, Executive Director of the Northside…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Fannie E. Rippel Foundation
Member Story: The Fannie E. Rippel Foundation
- Case Study
Change Incubator Story — What Grantee Inclusion Means to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation feels it…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Danielle Breslin, The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
In this GEOAsks, we interviewed Danielle Breslin, vice president of the Blue…
- Case Study
2016 National Conference Participant Roster
2016 National Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Member Story: Dallas Women's Foundation
How Dallas Women’s Foundation’s commitment to empathy has shaped its approach to…
- Case Study
Member Story: United Way of Greenville County
Member Story: United Way of Greenville County
- Case Study
Systems Grantmaking Resource Guide
Philanthropy is ever on a quest to increase effectiveness. Over the last…
- Guide
Change Incubator Story — How I Lost My Job
My name is Brad Cameron, and I’m a program associate at the…
- Case Study
Member Story: Greater Houston Community Foundation
Member Story: Greater Houston Community Foundation
- Case Study
Building Collaboration From the Inside Out
Looking inward and ensuring that an organization has the right elements in…
- Publication
Collaboration Profile: Dallas Women's Foundation
Participating in the North Texas Asset Funders Network provided an opportunity for…
- Case Study
Discussion Starter: Our Culture
The discussion starter can be used to delve into questions that are…
- Publication
The Collaboration Conference 2015 Participant Roster
The Collaboration Conference 2015 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
The Source Codes of Foundation Culture
Philanthropy evolves slowly, despite (or maybe because of) very few external constraints…
- Publication
How Do We Determine the Right Role to Play in Collaboration?
Collaborations — groups of grantmakers, nonprofits and other stakeholders aligning around a…
- Publication
Collaboration Profile: Missouri Foundation for Health
Using facilitation skills and developmental evaluation tools to build a more collaborative…
- Case Study
Collaboration Profile: Greater Houston Community Foundation
Responding to donor interest in achieving greater impact through collaboration.
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Madeleine Frey, Health Care Georgia Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Madeleine Frey, director of…
- Case Study
How Can We Help Our Grantees Strengthen Their Capacity for Evaluation?
There is widespread and growing recognition in the nonprofit sector about the…
- Publication
What Does It Take to Spend Down Successfully?
Increasing numbers of grantmakers are opting for a spend-down strategy — meaning…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Stakeholder Engagement?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers as we…
- Playbook
2015 Learning Conference Resources: Data Viz Checklist (Stephanie Evergreen)
2015 Learning Conference Resources: Data Viz Checklist (Stephanie Evergreen)
- Event Materials
2015 Learning Conference Rsources: Chart Chooser 2.0 (Stephanie Evergreen)
2015 Learning Conference Rsources: Chart Chooser 2.0 (Stephanie Evergreen)
- Event Materials
Learning Together Profile: Skillman Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Skillman Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Deaconess Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Deaconess Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Stuart Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Stuart Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together Profile: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
Learning Together Profile: Grand Rapids Community Foundation
- Case Study
Learning Together: Actionable Approaches for Grantmakers
Grantees and other stakeholders are critical partners in the achievement of grantmakers’…
- Partner Resources
Resource List: Learning Together
Learning Together: Actionable Approaches for Grantmakers
- Case Study
- Partner Resources
Discussion Guide: Learning Together
Learning Together: A Discussion Guide for Funders and Partners
- Guide
Learning Together Profile: The Cleveland Foundation
Learning Together Profile: The Cleveland Foundation
- Case Study
The Learning Conference 2015 Participant Roster
The Learning Conference 2015 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Member Story: Pennsylvania Humanities Council
Member Story: Pennsylvania Humanities Council
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Bill & Melinda Gates Foundations
Grantmaker redesigns their grant workflow to improve efficiency and effectiveness for program…
- Playbook
GEOAsks: Adam Simon, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
In this GEOAsks interview, Adam Simon, director of leadership initiatives at the…
- Case Study
Leveraging Social Sector Leadership
What do social sector leaders need to help them succeed and, just…
- Publication
Member Story: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Member Story: Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
- Case Study
Discussion Guide: Stakeholder Engagement
To Engagement and Beyond: A discussion guide for grantmakers
- Guide
What Are Different Ways to Engage Stakeholders?
A host of specific practices and activities can help grantmakers bring the…
- Publication
What Financial Challenges Do Nonprofits Face?
Financial struggles are a reality for many nonprofits, even those with excellent…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Becky Pastner, St. David's Foundation
In this issue of IMPACT we hear from Becky Pastner, a program…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
Member Story: The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Kathleen Holmes, Missouri Foundation for Health
In this issue, we talk to Kathleen Holmes, director of the Infant…
- Case Study
Is Grantmaking Getting Smarter?
Grantmakers recognize the value of supporting effective, well-led organizations - strong organizations…
- Publication
GEO Field Survey 2014: Major Trends in Grantmakers' Attitudes and Practices
GEO Field Survey 2014: Major Trends in Grantmakers' Attitudes and Practices
- White Paper
GEOAsks: Elizabeth Christopherson, Rita Allen Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Elizabeth Christopherson, president and…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Dr. Gail Christopher, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
In this GEOAsks interview, we talk to Dr. Gail Christopher, vice president…
- Case Study
Member Story: Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
Member Story: Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
- Case Study
Remote Learning Fall 2014 Own Work Examples and Worksheet
Remote Learning Fall 2014 Own Work Examples and Worksheet
- Guide
Member Story: Southwest Florida Community Foundation
Member Story: Southwest Florida Community Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Anne Sherman, The Social Impact Exchange
n this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Anne Sherman, vice president…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Pierce Family Foundation
Chicago foundation provides multiyear operating grants to core grantees, plus a range…
- Case Study
What Makes a Successful Learning Community?
Learning communities are powerful vehicles for both individuals and communities to amass…
- Publication
What Are the Key Things We Need to Know About Organizational Assessments?
Many grantmakers use organizational assessments as a first step in capacity-building support…
- Playbook
What Mindset is Needed to Support Collaboration?
Throughout history, social change has been possible only through the contributions and…
- Publication
What is Collective Leadership and How Can Grantmakers Support It?
With growing recognition of the complexity of the issues the nonprofit sector…
- Playbook
What do Nonprofits Need to Make Leadership Development a Priority?
A nonprofit organization’s resiliency and capacity to navigate change successfully depends largely…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers who are…
- Partner Resources
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Leadership Development?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers seeking more…
- Partner Resources
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Nonprofit Capacity Building?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers in exploring,…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Collaboration?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers in exploring…
- Partner Resources
How Do We Know If a Grantee is a Good Candidate for General Operating Support?
The primary purpose of providing general operating support is to give grantees…
- Playbook
How Do We Know If Our Stakeholder Engagement is Working?
Effective stakeholder engagement starts and ends with respect — respect for the…
- Playbook
Where Can We Go to Dig Deeper on Learning and Evaluation?
This document contains resources and websites that can assist grantmakers as we…
- Playbook
What is a Learning Organization?
Learning in philanthropy can happen in any number of ways — from…
- Playbook
How Do We Select the Right Evaluation Approach for the Job?
The most difficult part of evaluation can be to know where to…
- Playbook
How Will We Know If Our Capacity-Building Support is Working?
One of the biggest barriers to supporting capacity building is knowing how…
- Playbook
Evaluating Community Change: A Framework for Grantmakers
Philanthropy works to improve conditions in communities so that life is better…
- Publication
Evaluating Community Change: A Framework for Grantmakers (text version)
Philanthropy works to improve conditions in communities so that life is better…
- Publication
Member Story: The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
Member Story: The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Vini Bhansali, IDEX
In this issue of GEOAsks we talk to Rajasvini Bhansali, executive director…
- Case Study
What is General Operating Support and Why is it Important?
How can grantmakers expect nonprofits to deliver on their missions when many…
- Playbook
What Capacities do Nonprofits Need in Order to Collaborate?
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Publication
How Do We Know if Our Network is Effective?
Networks of nonprofits, funders and other partners have the potential to build…
- Publication
Which Stakeholders Should We Involve in Our Decisions and How?
Taking time early in the grantmaking process to map out the stakeholders…
- Publication
How Do We Build and Maintain Authentic Relationships?
While we may not be able to totally remove the inherent power…
- Publication
What is Empathy and What Are the Benefits?
Empathy is one of the main reasons individual and institutional philanthropy exist.…
- Publication
What Does Effective Due Diligence Look Like?
Due diligence is a process that helps grantmakers get to know grantseekers.…
- Publication
How Can We Evaluate the Impact of Our General Operating Support Grants?
Grantmakers increasingly are turning to general operating support to ensure that nonprofits…
- Playbook
Member Story: Blue Shield of California Foundation
Member Story: Blue Shield of California Foundation
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Social Venture Partners Seattle
SVP Seattle engages volunteer and paid consultants to help “investees” make the…
- Playbook
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Lumpkin Family Foundation
Illinois grantmaker embraces capacity building as a priority and supports a new…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Weingart Foundation
Southern California grantmaker makes the switch to core support for majority of…
- Playbook
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Venture Philanthropy Partners
Washington, D.C. grantmaker combines large, multiyear investments in youth-serving organizations with consulting…
- Playbook
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Arkansas grantmaker supports nonprofit networks to promote field wide learning.
- Playbook
Who is Building Nonprofit Capacity? Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
Place-based funder invests in range of organizational effectiveness programs, including deep, cohort-based…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? The Gifford Foundation
Foundation embraces community engagement, mobilizes residents and grantees to help make mini-grant…
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Grantmaker builds on longtime focus on evaluation by making organizational learning a…
- Case Study
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? St. David's Foundation
Growing health foundation embraces multiyear funding and streamlined application and reporting in…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Local liaisons help Connecticut grantmaker stay connected to communities involved in statewide…
- Case Study
Who is Engaging Stakeholders Well? Orton Family Foundation
Vermont foundation adopts high-engagement approach to supporting cities and towns to design…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Hawaii Community Foundation
New unrestricted support program yields unexpected benefits for other grantmaking.
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Mile High United Way
Denver-area United Way embraces need to strengthen the capacity of organizations and…
- Playbook
- Publication
Who is Working Well Together? Marguerite Casey Foundation
Seattle-based grantmaker builds regional networks of organizations working to engage low-income families…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who is Building Leadership Well? Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation
Foundation joins with other grantmakers to unite and support the next generation…
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
Regional funder in the South adopts network-focused approach to grantmaking.
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? Bush Foundation
Foundation launches new initiative to support and encourage collaborative approaches to community…
- Case Study
Who is Building Leadership Well? The Durfee Foundation
Los Angeles grantmaker supports local nonprofit leaders through sabbaticals, fellowships, mentorships and…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? The Fieldstone Foundation
Grantmaker works with partners to strengthen leadership for the social sector in…
- Case Study
Who is Successfully Building Nonprofit Capacity? Community Foundation of South Jersey
Community foundation partners with other funders to bolster nonprofit board and leadership…
- Case Study
Who is Working Well Together? The Patterson Foundation
Who is Working Well Together? The Patterson Foundation
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? Bruner Foundation
Family foundation advances the cause of evaluative thinking among nonprofits through support…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Cricket Island Foundation
Small funder seeks to maximize impact by providing eight years of general…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Arti Freeman, Ontario Trillium Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks, we hear from Arti Freeman of Ontario…
- Case Study
Member Story: Massachusetts Cultural Council
Member Story: Massachusetts Cultural Council
- Case Study
Where Should We Start in Using Evaluation as a Tool for Learning?
Many grantmakers agree that an increased focus on evaluation and learning can…
- Publication
How Can Grantmakers Facilitate Connections and Collaboration?
The urgency and complexity of the problems nonprofits and grantmakers are trying…
- Playbook
What is Stakeholder Engagement?
Many grantmakers are recognizing that in order to ensure better results, we…
- Publication
How Can We Embrace a Learning for Improvement Mindset?
A priority for grantmakers and our grantees is to create a space…
- Publication
What Roles Can Grantmakers Play in Supporting Networks?
Grantmakers of all kinds care about tangible progress on tough problems, but…
- Publication
Who Is Working Well Together? Jim Joseph Foundation
Grantmaker focused on education for Jewish young people embraces multiyear grants, funder…
- Case Study
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability? Cuyahoga Arts & Culture
Ohio grantmaker using cigarette-tax funds to invest in arts and culture makes…
- Playbook
Who Is Working Well Together? DentaQuest Foundation
Aiming to build a national movement, funder focused on oral health supports…
- Case Study
- Playbook
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
Who Is Supporting Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
- Case Study
- Publication
How Can We Support Capacity-Building Efforts?
Nonprofits need skilled leaders, strong systems and the flexibility to continuously improve…
- Publication
What is Nonprofit Capacity and Why Does it Matter?
Nonprofits need certain capacities in order to deliver results. These include things…
- Publication
What Makes for a Successful Leadership Development Approach?
Nonprofit leaders have complex jobs. In order to excel in their roles…
- Publication
How Can We Target Our Leadership Development Support?
It can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the leadership capacity needs of…
- Playbook
Who is Having Success with Learning? Global Fund for Children
Global NGO develops tools to track grantee progress and its own performance.
- Case Study
Who is Having Success with Learning? The Colorado Health Foundation
Grantmaker refines evaluation model to enhance grantee and organizational accountability, while positioning…
- Playbook
- Publication
How Should We Approach Capacity-Building Work?
How Should We Approach Capacity-Building Work?
- Publication
How Can Grantmakers Support Movements?
Today, many grantmakers recognize the role of social movements in advancing opportunity,…
- Publication
What Are the Different Ways to Collaborate?
In the nonprofit sector there are various forms of collaboration, ranging in…
- Publication
How Can We Be More Supportive of Nonprofit Financial Sustainability?
Grantmakers can take a number of steps to ensure that the support…
- Publication
2014 National Conference Participant Roster
2014 National Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Smarter Philanthropy for Greater Impact: Rethinking How Grantmakers Support Scale
This special supplement was created to capture the latest thinking about how…
- Publication
Member Story: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties
Member Story: Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Paul Shoemaker, SVP Seattle
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we speak with Paul Shoemaker, executive connector…
- Case Study
Member Story: The Patterson Foundation
Florida foundation with unfettered charter focuses on how best to support partnerships…
- Case Study
What Are Three Principles for Supporting Nonprofit Capacity
There is not one “right way” to provide capacity-building support because each…
- Publication
Stories of Impact from the Social Innovation Fund
Stories of Impact from the Social Innovation Fund
- Case Study
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Bridgespan handout
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Bridgespan handout
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Background
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Background
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Groupaya Funder Alignment PPT
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Groupaya Funder Alignment PPT
- Partner Resources
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Presentation
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Aspen Planning and Evaluation Program - Presentation
- Partner Resources
The Promise and Pitfalls of Local and National Funder Collaborations
This guide presents the benefits and challenges of partnerships between local and…
- Publication
Many Hands, More Impact: Philanthropy's Role in Supporting Movements
GEO has prepared a publication that provides a framework for understanding the…
- Publication
Supporting Movements Conference Participant Roster
Supporting Movements Conference Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Investing for Impact: Building the Capacity and Infrastructure of High-Performing Nonprofits
Investing for Impact: Building the Capacity and Infrastructure of High-Performing Nonprofits
- Publication
Member Story: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
Member Story: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
- Case Study
Member Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
Member Story: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Working Better Together
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Executive Summary
Resource List: Working Better Together
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Partner Resources
Discussion Guide: Working Better Together
Working Better Together: Building Nonprofit Collaborative Capacity
- Guide
Working Better Together: Building Nonprofit Collaborative Capacity
Collective action is an effective way for nonprofits to increase their impact,…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Sidney Hargro, Community Foundation of South Jersey
In this issue of GEOASKs, we talk to Sidney Hargro, executive director…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Berta Colon and Michele Lord, Public Interest Projects
In this issue of GEOASKS we talk to Berta Colón and Michele…
- Case Study
Discussion Guide: Four Essentials for Evaluation
How We Learn and How We Can Learn Better: A discussion guide…
- Guide
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - AIDS United
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - AIDS United
- Case Study
Cracking the Network Code: Four Principles for Grantmakers
We know that we need a different mindset to tackle complex, systemic…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Cracking the Network Code
As grantmakers and nonprofits are looking for ways to collaborate more effectively,…
- Executive Summary
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 3
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 3
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 1
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 1
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 2
The Learning Conference 2013: Michael Quinn Patton Slides Part 2
- Event Materials
The Learning Conference 2013 Participant Roster
The Learning Conference 2013 Participant Roster
- Event Materials
Smarter Relationships, Better Results Webinar Series Part 1: The Right Relationship (slides)
Smarter Relationships, Better Results Webinar Series Part 1: The Right Relationship (slides)
- Event Materials
Member Story: Fairfield County Community Foundation
Member Story: Fairfield County Community Foundation
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, NCB Capital Impact
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, NCB Capital Impact
- Case Study
Smarter Relationships, Better Results: Making the most of grantmakers' work with intermediaries
Grantmakers often work with intermediaries to extend their reach and impact. This…
- Publication
Annotated Bibliography: Smarter Relationships, Better Results
Annotated Bibliography: Smarter Relationships, Better Results
- Partner Resources
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - The Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - The Edna McConnell…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mile High United Way
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mile High United…
- Event Materials
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - NCB Capital Impact
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - NCB Capital Impact
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Corporation for Supportive Housing
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Corporation for Supportive…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and the NYC Center for Economic Opportunity
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Mayor's Fund to…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - U.S. Soccer Foundation
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - REDF
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - REDF
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - LISC
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - LISC
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Missouri Foundation for Health
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Missouri Foundation for…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Foundation for a…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, AIDS United
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story, AIDS United
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way of…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - U.S. Soccer Foundation
Scaling What Works: SIF Impact Story - U.S. Soccer Foundation
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Pathways to Grow Impact
Whether you are strategically working to scale up some of your successful…
- Executive Summary
Discussion Guide: Pathways to Grow Impact
Growing Your Impact: A Discussion Guide for Grantmakers
- Guide
Member Story: Allegany Franciscan Ministries
Member Story: Allegany Franciscan Ministries
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way for Southeastern Michigan
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - United Way for…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Venture Philanthropy Partners
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Venture Philanthropy Partners
- Case Study
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Proteus Fund presentation
SWW: Supporting Movements Conference Resource: Proteus Fund presentation
- Event Materials
Pathways to Grow Impact: Philanthropy's Role in the Journey
Pathways to Grow Impact is for any grantmaker who wants his or…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Vic De Luca, Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation
In this issue of GEOAsks, we speak to Vic De Luca, president…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Susan Phillips, Omidyar Network
In this issue of GEO Asks, Susan Phillips, vice president of human…
- Case Study
Great Power, Great Responsibility: Grantmakers' Role as Conveners
Funders are finding ways to use the power of convening to benefit…
- Publication
Building Community Capacity for Participation in Evaluation: Why It Matters and What Works
This briefing shares five principles for engaging community stakeholders in evaluation planning,…
- Publication
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Nov. 2012 Member Spotlight: George Kaiser Family Foundation
- Case Study
Learn and Let Learn
This publication explores how learning communities can be powerful tools in creating…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Alice Shobe, Building Changes
In this issue’s GEO ASKS we talk to Alice Shobe, executive director…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Grantmakers Engaged in the Social Innovation Fund (2010-2012) as Collaborating Funders
Scaling What Works: Grantmakers Engaged in the Social Innovation Fund (2010-2012) as…
- Publication
Strategic Co-Funding: An Approach for Expanded Impact
Co-published by GEO and REDF as an update to REDF's 2008 article…
- Publication
Member Story: Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
Member Story: Mary Morton Parsons Foundation
- Case Study
Unrestricted Funding Member Story: Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
Unrestricted Funding Member Story: Evelyn & Walter Haas, Jr. Fund
- Case Study
Member Story: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
Member Story: Edna McConnell Clark Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Rebekah Levin, McCormick Foundaiton
In this issue of GEO ASKS, GEO speaks with Rebekah Levin, evaluation…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - New Profit Inc.
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - New Profit Inc.
- Case Study
Four Essentials for Evaluation
Evaluation is about more than ensuring that grantees are doing what they…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Four Essentials for Evaluation
This is the Executive Summary of GEO's latest publication, Four Essentials for…
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Darell Hammond, KaBoom
Darell Hammond is the founder and CEO of KaBOOM!, the national nonprofit…
- Case Study
Collaborative Funding for Greater Impact: A Case Study of the Cincinnati Experience, Lessons Learned from the Social Innovation Fund
Collaborative Funding for Greater Impact: A Case Study of the Cincinnati Experience,…
- Case Study
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Jobs for the Future, Inc. and the National Fund for Workforce Solutions
Scaling What Works: Social Innovation Fund intermediary profile - Jobs for the…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Andy Goodman, The Goodman Center
In this issue’s GEO ASKS we talk to author, speaker and public…
- Case Study
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Resource Sheet for Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping & Analysis Session
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Resource Sheet for Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping…
- Partner Resources
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Helping Established Organizations Develop a Network Mindset
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Helping Established Organizations Develop a Network Mindset
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Understanding and Activating Networks: The ReAmp Case Study and Evaluation
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Understanding and Activating Networks: The ReAmp Case Study and…
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: The Strategy Landscape
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: The Strategy Landscape
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Network Weaving
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Network Weaving
- Event Materials
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping and Analysis
Networks Conference Presentation/Handout: Deep Dive into Social Network Mapping and Analysis
- Event Materials
GEOAsks: Christine Van Bergeijk of the Hawaii Community Foundation
In this issue, GEO ASKS Christine van Bergeijk, vice president of programs…
- Case Study
Catalyzing Networks for Social Change: A Funder's Guide
Networks for social change can help with building new capacity for making…
- Guide
Discussion Guide: Catalyzing Networks for Social Change
Catalyzing Networks for Social Change: A discussion guide for grantmakers
- Guide
Executive Summary: Widespread Empathy
This is an executive summary of the publication, Widespread Empathy, from GEO…
- Executive Summary
Widespread Empathy: 5 Steps to Achieving Greater Impact in Philanthropy
Through examples from the field, the publication provides concrete steps grantmakers can…
- Publication
St. Louis County Children's Service Fund
GEO 2011 August GEONews Member Spotlight: St. Louis County Children's Service Fund
- Case Study
Member Story: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Member Story: The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
- Case Study
Member Story: The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
Member Story: The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
- Case Study
New York State Health Foundation
The New York State Health Foundation has begun to make more strategic…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Ken Saxon, Courage to Lead
In this spring’s issue, GEO ASKS Ken Saxon, board leader, facilitator and…
- Case Study
Member Story: W. Clement and Jessie V. Stone Foundation
To have a greater reach and influence in their respective communities, both…
- Case Study
Using Evaluation to Become an Effective Learning Organization Tear Sheet
Using Evaluation to Become an Effective Learning Organization
- Publication
Engaging Stakeholders for More Effective Grantmaking Tear Sheet
Engaging Stakeholders for More Effective Grantmaking Tear Sheet
- Publication
GEOAsks: Paul Grogan, The Boston Foundation
This month GEO ASKS Paul Grogan, president and CEO of the Boston…
- Case Study
Member Story: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
Member Story: William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund
- Case Study
Executive Summary: Due Diligence Done Well
The executive summary for Due Diligence Done Well.
- Executive Summary
- Publication
Due Diligence Done Well: A Guide for Grantmakers
Selecting the right grantee partners is one of the most important jobs…
Indicators of Organizational Effectiveness Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
Indicators of Organizational Effectiveness Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Question Guide for Due Diligence Conversations: Due Diligence Done Well
Question Guide for Due Diligence Conversations: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Grantmaker Examples: Due Diligence Done Well
Grantmaker Examples: Due Dilligence Done Well
- Publication
Materials for Review Guide: Due Diligence Done Well
Due Diligence Done Well: Possible Materials for Review
- Guide
Question Guide for Initial Review: Due Diligence Done Well
Question Guide for Initial Review: Due Diligence Done Well
- Guide
Member Story: Lancaster County Community Foundation
Member Story: Lancaster County Community Foundation
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Peter Laugharn, Firelight Foundation
This month GEO ASKS Peter Laugharn, executive director of the Firelight Foundation…
- Case Study
Do Nothing About Me Without Me: An Action Guide for Engaging Stakeholders
There is a growing movement in philanthropy — a movement founded on…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Do Nothing About Me Without Me
This is an executive summary of the publication, Do Nothing About Me…
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Lesley Grady, The Community for Greater Atlanta
This month GEO ASKS talks about stakeholder engagement with Lesley Grady, senior…
- Case Study
How Grantmakers Can Help Address Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits
Addressing Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits: Five Strategies for Grantmakers
- Publication
Leadership Case Study: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Leadership Case Study: The Bank of America Charitable Foundation
- Case Study
Coaching and Philanthropy: An Action Guide for Grantmakers
This guide was created as a resource for grantmakers as they explore…
- Guide
Executive Summary: Coaching and Philanthropy
Online toolkit Executive Summary Coaching and Philanthropy Action Guide for Grantmakers
- Executive Summary
Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
This publication offers a brief overview of how grantmakers are looking at…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
Executive Summary: Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives from the Field
- Executive Summary
GEOAsks: Janine Mason, Fieldstone Foundation
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we talk about coaching with Janine Mason,…
- Case Study
Stories from the Field: Evaluation in Philanthropy
Evaluation in Philanthropy: Perspectives and Stories from the Field
- Publication
GEOAsks: Mark Keane, The Atlantic Philanthropies
In this month’s GEO ASKS, we talk about evaluation with Mark Keane,…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Dev Patnaik, Jump Associates
Jump Associates helps “courageous leaders create new businesses and reinvent existing ones…
- Case Study
On The Money
This publication highlights the financial challenges nonprofits face and the ways in…
- Guide
Executive Summary: On The Money
Despite a wave of interest in recent years in what it takes…
- Executive Summary
Discussion Guide: On The Money
On The Money: A Discussion Guide for Grantmakers and Their Grantees
- Guide
GEOAsks: Gayle Williams, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation
The Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation supports organizations and networks in the southeastern…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: John Weiler, The F.B. Heron Foundation
This month's GEOAsks focuses on one instrument The F.B. Heron Foundation uses…
- Case Study
Excerpt: Knowledge Gaps
An excerpt from GEO’s upcoming publication, On the Money: The Key Financial…
- Publication
GEOAsks: Simon Greer, Seasons Fund for Social Transformation
This month’s GEO ASKS focuses on the Season’s Fund for Social Transformation,…
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Ed Egnatios, Skillman Foundation
This month’s GEO ASKS focuses on The Skillman Foundation’s Good Neighborhoods program.
- Case Study
GEOAsks: Kevin L. Jenkins, Neighbor-Aid Fund
In this GEO ASKS, we pose questions to the Neighbor-AID Fund, an…
- Case Study
Annual Report 2008
GEO's 2008 Annual Report covers ten years of smarter grantmaking, stronger nonprofits…
- Annual Report
Smarter Grantmaking in Challenging Economic Times
A collection of resources and examples of GEO members showing steady leadership…
- Publication
Executive Summary: General Operating Support
A study about general operating support grantmaking. The findings challenge the conventional…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Investing in Leadership Vol. 2
This volume is intended for donors, staff members and leaders of grantmaking…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Supporting Next-Generation Leadership
Finding tomorrow's nonprofit leaders requires more than beating the bushes for fresh…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Assessing the Impact
A presentation of two approaches in assessing the impact of general operating…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Investing in Leadership Vol. 1
Given the vast literature on leadership development and the challenges of translating…
- Executive Summary
Executive Summary: Imagine Involve Implement
Real change is happening in philanthropy as pioneering grantmakers find new ways…
- Executive Summary
Supporting Next-Generation Leadership: Action Guide
Finding tomorrow?s nonprofit leaders requires more than beating the bushes for fresh…
- Publication
Assessing the Impact: General Operating Support Volume 2
Many grantmakers agree that general operating support can boost effectiveness and impact…
- Guide
- Publication
Mapping a Strategy: Three Approaches to General Operating Support
General operating support insights, lessons and ongoing explorations from The Philadelphia Foundation,…
- Publication
What is Coaching and What are the Benefits?
Coaching is a process that supports individuals to make more conscious decisions…
- Playbook
Discussion Guide: Investing in Leadership Vol.2
Discussion Guide: Investing in Leadership Vol.2
- Guide
Imagine Involve Implement: Action Guide
Real change is happening in philanthropy as pioneering grantmakers find new ways…
- Guide
The Departing: Exiting Nonprofit Leaders as a Resource for Social Change
The study presents a variety of approaches to leveraging departing executive directors…
General Operating Support: Action Guide
What is general operating support? How are grantmakers providing it? GEO's answer…
- Guide
- Publication
Learning for Results
This publication explores what it means to be a "learning organization;" how…
- Publication
Listen, Learn, Lead: Grantmaker Practices that Support Nonprofit Results
GEO's Change Agent Project seeks to inspire change in grantmakers so they…
- Publication
Executive Summary: Listen, Learn, Lead
GEO's Change Agent Project seeks to inspire change in grantmakers so they…
- Executive Summary
Investing in Leadership (Vol. 2): Inspiration and Ideas from Philanthropy's Latest Frontier
This publication explores a sampling of the leadership development practices being utilized…
- Publication
Investing in Leadership (Vol. 1): A Grantmaker's Framework for Understanding Nonprofit Leadership Development
Given the vast literature on leadership development and the challenges of translating…
- Publication
Assessing Startup Organizations: A due diligence supplement for grantmakers
Assessing Startup Organizations: A due diligence supplement for grantmakers
- Toolkit
In Search of Strategic Solutions
This publication is the result of a five-year national study on strategic…
- Playbook
Capacity Building for Impact: The Future of Effectiveness for Nonprofits
Capacity Building for Impact: The Future of Effectiveness for Nonprofits
- Publication
2025 Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellowship Informational Webinar
Join this webinar to learn more about GEO’s signature fellowship program, the…
- Webinar
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
Change Leaders Community Quarterly Call
A quarterly conversation with current and former Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellows…
- Peer Communities
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
2025 Learning Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2025 Learning Conference, hosted in partnership with…
- Conferences
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
2025 Member Orientation
Join our next member orientation to learn about community benefits and discover…
- Member Orientation
Change Leaders Community Quarterly Call
A quarterly conversation with current and former Change Leaders in Philanthropy Fellows…
- Peer Communities
2026 National Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2026 National Conference, from June 1 –…
- Conferences
2027 Learning Conference
Save the Date for GEO’s 2027 Learning Conference, from May 25-26, 2027…
- Conferences
Change Leadership
Transforming philanthropy starts with building and fostering supportive and inclusive organizational environments where people feel empowered to work individually and collectively to lead change.