For Immediate Release
THE CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY, BOARDSOURCE, AND GRANTMAKERS
FOR EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS JOIN IN PARTNERSHIP FOR A LANDMARK STUDY
ON EFFECTIVE FOUNDATION GOVERNANCE
CAMBRIDGE, MA… The Center for Effective Philanthropy, BoardSource
and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations have joined in partnership
to launch Phase II of CEP's Foundation Governance Project, the largest
scale study to focus on foundation trustees. The project is being
undertaken under the leadership of Sarah Di Troia, CEP's Associate
Director.
"Together, we will have far greater insight into and influence
on improving the effectiveness of foundation governance than our
organizations could have working alone," said Phil Buchanan, Executive
Director of the Center for Effective Philanthropy.
The Phase I report - Foundation Governance: The CEO Viewpoint
- revealed that boards rated as more effective were estimated by
CEOs to meet more frequently, spend more time outside of meetings
on foundation business, and be substantially more engaged in a variety
of key activities, such as performance assessment.
The Phase II study - Foundation Governance: The Trustee Viewpoint
- will investigate perceptions of effective governance and trustee
engagement and motivation. Thus far, thirty-three foundations have
committed to participating in the project representing 390 trustees.
"This is a unique opportunity to hear the perspective of trustees
on foundation governance and learn how to best engage them," said
Deborah S. Hechinger, President and CEO of BoardSource.
The study includes surveys and interviews of trustees as well
as board material reviews and board observations. "Given the important
role that foundation boards play in organizational performance,
we are eager to learn more about foundation board practices and
trustee perceptions," said Kathleen P. Enright Executive Director
of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. "The findings will inform
all of our efforts to strengthen philanthropy's effectiveness."
The Foundation Governance Project is generously supported by an
anonymous foundation donor, Lumina Foundation for Education, The
David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New
York, The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Charles and Helen Schwab
Foundation, and Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY
The Center for Effective Philanthropy is a nonprofit research
and educational organization whose mission is to provide foundation
executives and trustees the management and governance tools to define,
assess, and improve overall foundation performance.
Major grant funders of CEP include: The Atlantic Philanthropies,
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The David and Lucile Packard
Foundation, Surdna Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, John D.
and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation,
and Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation. CEP is also funded through
earned revenue from its seminars and management tools.
To obtain a copy of Foundation Governance: The CEO Viewpoint,
please click
here.
ABOUT BOARDSOURCE
BoardSource, formerly the National Center for Nonprofit Boards,
is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations
by strengthening boards of directors. Through programs and services,
BoardSource provides solutions and tools to improve board performance,
acts as a convener and facilitator in the development of knowledge
about boards, promotes changes and innovation to strengthen governance,
and serves as an advocate for the value of board service and the
importance of effective governance. BoardSource is a 501c(3) nonprofit
organization. For more information, visit www.BoardSource.org
or call 800.883.6262.
ABOUT GRANTMAKERS FOR EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS
