Nonprofit Literature Blog

New Report on Community Foundations Around the World

After reading Local Mission–Global Vision: Community Foundations in the 21st Century, you might be interested in learning more about community foundations in other counties. You can find additional data and trends in the 2008 Community Foundation Global Status Report, published by Worldwide Initiatives for Grantmaker Support (WINGS). The report documents new developments and even includes brief country profiles that contain sections for facts and figures, history, and the philanthropic environment.

Click here to access the entire report.

Leadership Development: What is Your Role?

What are some of the steps you can take to bridge the generational divides at your organization and prepare for leadership transitions? The new book, Working Across Generations, helps you think about your role, whether you are a member of the traditional generation, a baby boomer, Generation Xer, or a millennial:

For example, millennials can concentrate on developing core skills and learning from more experienced staff.

Gen Exers should improving their management skills and focus on strengthening relationships between millennials and baby boomers.

Baby boomers can use their influence to promote emerging leaders and increase their level of authority.

Members of the silent generation may become mentors to Gen Xers and millennals, sharing lessons they have learned over the years.

The book contains many examples and exercises to help you reflect on your values and to determine what steps to take next.

Working Across Generations: Defining the Future of Nonprofit Leadership (Jossey-Bass 2008) is written by Frances Kunreuther, director of the Building Movement Project, Helen Kim, a nonprofit consultant, and Robby Rodriguez, executive director of  the SouthWest Organizing Project.

Click here to learn more about the book and to read the first chapter

Rural Philanthropy: Challenges and Opportunities

A new publication from the Council on Foundations explores different strategies for supporting rural America. In this volume, a number of leaders in the field, from Jeff Yost, president of the Nebraska Community Foundation, to Kate Wolford, president of the McKnight Foundation, express their views on building community capacity and addressing the needs of rural populations.

In one essay, Janet Topolsky, director of the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, describes the growth of rural community endowments, which may be established as independent community foundations, or affiliates of existing community foundations.  The appendix contains funding recommendations for economic development, education, environment, and other key areas. Philanthropy & Rural America is the first in a series of new journals from the Council on Foundations.

Related Link:
Mapshots- Look for Community Foundations or Local Funding Information Centers in your region.