CF Insights Publications

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) have been a growth engine for community foundations since the 1990s but the aspiration today is for DAFs to do more. In Do More than Grow: Realizing the Potential of Community Foundation Donor-Advised Funds, new data and analysis of donor behavior reveals the significant…

With this report, CF Insights' aim is to share a snapshot of community foundation asset growth and activity during 2012. The findings are based on 276 community foundation responses to the Columbus Survey as of June 2013.

In this publication, CF Insights highlights attributes that characterize community foundations in ways beyond asset values. 2012 Columbus Survey participants are ranked based on: Most Active Grantmakers—distribution rates, with percent of donor-advised assets Most Gifts per Capita—gifts per…

Includes results of the FY 2012 Columbus Survey of Community Foundations that pertain to the top 100 community foundations by asset size as of May 22, 2013. The table includes the community foundation name, amount of assets at the time of the survey, and fiscal year end (FYE). Stats are based on FY…

Learn how alliances, affiliations, and mergers represent a path to enhanced sustainability and greater impact for community foundations. Hear perspectives from community foundation leaders, access tools for considering a new structure, and read case studies from six community foundations.

In this publication, CF Insights highlights attributes that characterize community foundations in ways beyond asset values. 2011 Columbus Survey participants are ranked based on: Most Active Grantmakers—distribution rates, with percent of donor-advised assets Most Gifts per Capita—gifts per…

Outlines survey findings about the performance of community foundations in 2011, including trends in asset levels, grantmaking levels, grant distribution rates, growth in donor-advised funds, operating budgets, and revenue sources.

Includes results of the FY 2011 Columbus Survey of Community Foundations that pertain to the top 100 community foundations by asset size as of May 1, 2012. The table includes the community foundation name, amount of assets at the time of the survey, and fiscal year-end (FYE).

Includes results of the 2010 Columbus Survey of Community Foundations that pertain to the top 100 community foundations by asset size as of April 28, 2011. Chart includes the community foundation name, amount of assets at time of survey, and fiscal year end (FYE). Stats are based on 2009 data.

The Economic Scenario Planning (ESP) model is designed to help community foundations of any size and shape create five-year forecasts and plan for multiple scenarios. Community foundations using the model cite important benefits, often revising goals or making operating model changes as a result…

Do you want to know how community foundations are finding innovative new sources of support, and diversifying their revenue base? How new revenue sources strengthen each community foundation's differentiation and sustainability? Difficult economic times in 2008-2010 have been an important wake-up…

In this publication, CF Insights highlights attributes that characterize community foundations in ways beyond asset values. 2010 Columbus Survey participants are ranked based on: Most Active Grantmakers—distribution rates, with percent of donor-advised assets Most Gifts per Capita—gifts per…

Provides a snapshot of community foundation asset growth and activity during 2010. Findings are based on over 250 community foundation responses to a Columbus Foundation survey as of March 2011. Looks at trends, grantmaking, operating expenses, and other metrics.

With this report, "Guideposts on the Path to Recovery," CF Insights' aim is to share 2009 highlights following a February 2009 report that looked in depth at 2008 results. This report is based on over 200 community foundations' contributions to the Columbus Survey as of March 2010.

Following up on CF Insights' November 2008 report "Making Informed Decisions in Uncertain Times", this report is aimed at helping community foundations take informed action in relation to their operating models and community activities in reaction to the economic slump. The findings are based on…

This paper debunks the myth that advocacy-oriented community leadership is naturally antithetical to fundraising, and highlights examples where foundations have built their fundraising efforts by playing advocacy-oriented community leadership roles.