“Thank you for all of your hard work. I was moved by the presentations and the power of our combined giving. I appreciate the opportunity of being a part of this wonderful group. I look forward to renewing my membership.”

--Beth G., Wynnewood

Web Resources

The Stanford Social Innovation Review has published an article on giving circles: Giving 2.0: Getting Together to Give.

The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University has published a study on Women’s Philanthropy and the Impact of Women’s Giving Networks.

Delaware Valley Grantmakers has created a booklet which profiles over 80 food-related grantees of 20 regional funders, and serves as a resource for donors and foundation trustees to inform and inspire their food-related philanthropy.  Click here to read A Donor’s Guide to Food Funding in Greater Philadelphia.

According to the annual Giving USA study, charitable giving was up in 2010 for the first time in recent years.  Click here to read details on the Delaware Valley Grantmakers website.

The Pew Charitable Trusts has issued Philadelphia 2011: The State of the City.  Click here to read a summary of their findings, or here to read the the full report.

The Nonprofit Research Collaborative has issued a report showing that as the economy has improved, so has charitable giving. Click here to read an article in The Atlantic about the report: Charitable Giving Improved in 2010.

Joanna L. Krotz has written a comprehensive article on the history and latest developments in women’s philanthropy for the Contribute website entitled Revolution Redux.

According to a March 2010 report from the National Council of Nonprofits, State Budget Crises: Ripping the Safety Net Held by Nonprofits, state and local governments are slashing funds for programs nonprofits expect to administer; government agencies are withholding contract payments for services already delivered; and governments are draining operating funds from nonprofits through the imposition of new fees and taxes. To address these issues, the report urges government, foundation, and nonprofit leaders to work together to meet the needs of the people they jointly serve.

Women’s Giving Circles: Reflections from the Founders, published by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, August 2009.

Collective Giving Resources

The Giving Circles Knowledge Center explores forming grassroots philanthropic initiatives in a community.

The Washington Women’s Foundation is in many ways the “grandmother” of Impact-like organizations. Its handbook is Something Ventured: An Innovative Model in Philanthropy.

The Women’s Funding Network serves as a global champion for investment in women and provides member funds with ongoing access, training, tools and support to help them increase their investment, influence and impact.

General Online Resources

Guidestar has financial reports and Form 990s for many charities.

The Better Business Bureau has a national website that provides reports on national charities and rate them against the BBB’s charity standards.

Charity Navigator evaluates more than 5,500 of America’s charities and includes reports on their financial health.

IRS - Charitable Organizations is the IRS online version of Publication 78, a cumulative list of organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions, confirming that an organization has been designated “tax exempt” by the IRS.

The Foundation Center has information for both grant-seekers and grant-makers and is a prominent resource in the non-profit community. In Philadelphia, there is a Foundation Center office located in the Free Library.

Delaware Valley Grantmakers is a regional resource for networking, news and information on grant-making and philanthropy in the greater Philadelphia and neighboring regions. Impact100 is a member of DVG.