Foundations & the Economic Crisis

This is a challenging time for funders, dealing with a turbulent economy, unstable asset bases, a charitable sector with significantly diminished resources and increased needs in our communities.  CMF can help connect you with your fellow funders and provide the latest information on how the field is responding and how your colleagues in philanthropy are mobilizing in this economic crisis. 

Strategies & Resources for Dealing with the Economic Crisis

• Funding Basic Human Needs in a Challenging Economy - A report by the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers
• MapShot: Foundations Respond to the Economic Crisis - An interactive map from the Foundation Center
• Family Foundations and Madoff - Simple ways smaller foundations could protect themselves from the likes of a Madoff scandal
• Asset Declines and Investment Strategy Changes by Family, Independent, and Public Foundations - Survey results from Council on Foundations.
• Families Step Up to Meet Economic Crisis - A summary of the policies, ideas and strategies family foundations are using to move forward during the current economic crisis resulting from an informal nationwide survey conducted by the National Center for Family Philanthropy.
• A First Look at the Foundation and Corporate Response to the Economic Crisis - A national research initiative from The Foundation Center
• Donors Respond to Crisis - Quarterly Philanthropy Report from Arabella Advisors
• Economic Turmoil and Change - New website from Grantmakers in the Arts 
• Nonprofits and Foundations Share Their Thoughts on Recession - From the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
• Crisis or Bad News: A Solid Crisis Plan is Your Lifeline - Crisis communications guidance from the Communications Network
• 20 Emergency Funding Sources for Nonprofits - From the consulting staff at Fieldstone Alliance.
• Managing in Tough Times: 7 Steps - There are steps you can take to help your organization weather the current economic storm. Learn what others in the field are considering as they make plans for the future.
• How to Handle Underwater Funds 
• Emergency Hardship Scholarships/Grants to Individuals
• Changing Times Call For Foundations To Try New, Innovative Approaches To Sustain Nonprofits
• Congress Must Bailout Detroit’s Big 3 To Prevent U.S., International Economic Spiral, Say Researchers
• Focus on the Economic Crisis - A compilation of data and resources on the economic crisis and its impact on philanthropy from the Foundation Center.
• Economic Xchange - A collaborative initiative on how the current economy impacts philanthropy from the Council on Foundations.
• Strategies for Foundations to Save Resources - from the Financial Times.
• A to Z Survival Guide for Uncertain Times - Michael Seltzer, a regular contributor to PhilanTopic, has compiled his past writings and strategy recommendations learned from grantees, clients, and fellow consultants.
• Making Informed Decisions in Uncertain Times [PDF]
  Results of a study on the impact of the economic downturn on community foundations, including information on grantmaking, spending policies, budget implications and ways to communicate with stakeholders.

What's the Impact on Giving?

• More than 300 nonprofit organizations across Michigan completed this recent survey about the effect of recent economic trends on Michigan's nonprofits.
• Special NY Times Giving section - on the effects of the economic crisis on philanthropy, charity and giving.
• Giving during recessions and economic slowdowns - The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University analyzes four decades in their report on how recessions and economic slowdowns affect giving.

Share Your Ideas

E-mail your ideas and suggested resources to info@michiganfoundations.org and we will post here.