Learn tactics for sorting through the technology options and learn strategies to identify a platform that best aligns with your corporate programs.
CMF partnered with the research team at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Plante Moran Financial Advisors to update, deepen and expand critical research around the relationship between the mandated 5% payout rate and actual distribution rates of private foundations.
Phishing emails, spam texts and cybercriminals are leveraging more sophisticated ways to try and access your personal and organizational information. How can you protect your data?
How visible and accessible should your family's philanthropy be to others? It's a classic question with multiple correct answers based on faith, family tradition, regulatory frameworks, strategy and many more factors.
From February 3 through 21, 2025, the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) surveyed leaders of nonprofit organizations across the United States that receive funding from foundations that give at least $5 million in grants annually. The report's findings summarize nonprofit leaders’ most pressing concerns with the current political climate and what they would find most helpful from their foundation funders.
Individuals, families and companies regularly reach out to CMF to learn how they can give back to their community through philanthropy. This typically takes one of five forms, known as the “Five Ts” of philanthropy: giving back with time (volunteering, active engagement), talent (expertise), ties (connection making), testimony (advocacy) and treasure (making a financial contribution).
This resource focuses on four financial contribution pathways available to individuals and families, each with important distinctions:
Community foundations regularly reach out to CMF to learn about affiliates and what options may be available for large, geographic funds. These funds are often created to serve a specific geographic area within the service area of an existing community foundation, such as a town or county. Some community foundations were formed using affiliates to serve certain service areas, while others have established affiliates over time, evolving based on community needs or donor interest.
Board members and staff of philanthropic institutions regularly reach out to CMF to learn more about “tipping” and the public support test. Grantmakers of all types may encounter the public support test, whether in respect to their own organizational status or the impact of their grantmaking on public charities. As good partners, grantmakers should help nonprofits be aware of the potential impact of large gifts and grants on their public charity status.
This report from Independent Sector, The Retreat of Influence: Exploring the Decline of Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Engagement, explores how advocacy and civic engagement may vary by organization size, geography, communities served, and leadership demographics.
Through Ask CMF, community foundations and other philanthropic grantmakers frequently submit questions related to making changes to fund agreements for the funds that they hold. This resource is intended to provide further clarification on this topic, building on the material included in the CMF resource, “Frequently Asked Questions About Fund Agreements.”
