Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers is a national philanthropic network of 33 regional associations of grantmakers with more than 5,500 participating organizations, making it the largest network in American philanthropy. With deep regional roots and a broad nationwide reach, the Forum Network facilitates effective philanthropy that strengthens communities and improves lives throughout the United States. The Forum fills an important role in the philanthropic sector by improving the effectiveness of foundations and expanding their capacity to advance the common good.
Specifically, the Forum Network succeeds by doing three things well:
- Delivering efficiency and cost savings for our 33 member associations. The Forum Network helps regional associations save time and money by pooling resources and tools. Network members share access to a mix of services that simplify and streamline back-office functions such as technology and help regionals develop stronger programming in service of more effective, impactful grantmaking.
- Providing members with tools and resources to advance policy change. The Forum's PolicyWorks for Philanthropy and Foundations on the Hill initiatives help regional associations advance both individual and collaborative policy priorities at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Fueling connections and sharing knowledge across the giving sector. The Forum Network helps member associations and individual foundations connect, collaborate and convene. Through annual events, conferences, webinars, and more, the Forum fuel a spirit of partnership across the sector. The Forum's knowledge services tools help build an interactive learning community; foster information exchange between foundations; boost the organizational capacity of partners; and increase awareness of philanthropy’s overall impact in the world.
Mission Statement
The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers is a national network that facilitates effective philanthropy that strengthens communities and improves lives throughout the United States.
History
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funded a grant to the Council on Foundations in 1990 to “assess needs and study ways to increase the organizational capacity of regional associations, and to develop services and materials useful to and needed by all regions." That study resulted in a recommendation for a multi-year initiative, focusing on regional infrastructure and enhanced organizational capacity, prompting a 4-year collaboration called The Regional Initiative of 24 regional associations with funding from 16 foundations and corporations.[1]
In 1995, the initiative members decided to start a new organization. At the end of 1998, the boards of both the forum and the Council on Foundations agreed to approve the formation of The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers as a separate nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.[2]
Research
The Forum surveys its members and partners, collects data and releases reports on diversity, giving circles,[3] salaries and other topics relevant to philanthropy.
Members
Regional associations of grantmakers are membership groups of organizations and individuals who practice philanthropy, including private foundations, community foundations, corporations and individual donors. The Forum's members are:
- Arizona Grantmakers Forum
- Associated Grant Makers
- Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers
- Colorado Association of Funders
- Connecticut Council for Philanthropy
- Council of Michigan Foundations
- Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
- Delaware Grantmakers Association
- Florida Philanthropic Network
- Forefront (IL)
- Gateway Center for Giving
- Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island
- Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington
- Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania
- Indiana Philanthropy Alliance
- Iowa Council of Foundations
- Maine Philanthropy Center
- Minnesota Council on Foundations
- New Mexico Association of Grantmakers
- North Carolina Network of Grantmakers
- Northern California Grantmakers
- NY Funders Alliance
- Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia
- Philanthropy New York
- Philanthropy Northwest
- Philanthropy Ohio
- Philanthropy Southwest
- Philanthropy West Virginia
- San Diego Grantmakers
- Southeastern Council of Foundations
- Southern California Grantmakers
- Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers
- Wisconsin Philanthropy Network
Partners
As the largest national infrastructure organization in philanthropy, the Forum has established collaborative partnerships with a number of fellow leadership organization in the field. They include:
- Council on Foundations
- Exponent Philanthropy
- Foundation Center
- Grantmakers for Effecitve Organizations
- Grants Managers Network
- Health and Environmental Funders Network
- Idealware
- National Council of Nonprofits
- National Center for Family Philanthropy
- National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers
References
- ↑ Oechsle, Krysta (2003). "Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers". Learning to Give. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ↑ "History of the Forum". Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
- ↑ Davis, Carolyn (11 February 2012). "Do Good With Giving Circles". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 12 November 2014.