Case studies

Two volumes of case studies on the work of associations of grantmakers and support organisations in the WINGS and WINGS-CF networks are now available.

Volume I

The first volume covers grantmaker associations, with great variety in the location and nature of the organisations, their stages of development and the contexts of their work. They offer much information on organisation, management, governance, sustainability and member services. An Overview by Jayne Millar Wood, first director of WINGS, draws wisdom from their variety of experience. A highlight of this Volume is the essay by Barry Gaberman of the Ford Foundation, WINGS' Founder Chair, in which he spells out the value of associations of grantmakers and their role in strengthening philanthropy - a visionary piece about organisations on which, as he says, "the sun seldom shines".

• Preface (PDF - 124 KB)
• Introductory Essay (PDF - 163 KB)
  Grantmaker Associations: Enhancing the effectiveness of grantmakers (Barry Gaberman)
• Overview (PDF - 251 KB)
  Drawing wisdom from experience (Jayne Wood)
• Case Studies:
  
  1. Community Foundations of Canada (PDF - 140 KB)
     Canada - A case study of an association of community foundations
  2. Czech Donors Forum (PDF - 183 KB)
     Czechoslovakia - A case study of an association of grantmakers that evolved from a foreign donor's initiative to an independent association of indigenous foundations
  3. East Africa Association of Grantmakers (PDF - 217 KB)
     East Africa - A case study of an emerging association
  4. European Foundation Centre (PDF - 244 KB)
     Belgium - A case study of a multinational association
  5. Grupo de Institutos, Fundações e Empresas (PDF - 172 KB)
     Brazil - A case study of a multipurpose association serving grantmakers and grantseekers
  6. League of Corporate Foundations (PDF - 178 KB)
     Philippines - A case study of an association of corporate foundations
  7. Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers (PDF - 184 KB)
     United States - A case study of sub-national associations of grantmakers

The WINGS-CF Case Studies, Volume I - Entire Publication (PDF - 1.1 MB) is also available. This document includes the Preface, Introductory Essay, Overview and Case Studies listed above.

Volume II

The second volume includes eight case studies on the work of organisations supporting community foundations: The first section of each case study provides general background on the organization's structure, resources and activities, its involvement in community foundation development, and a picture of the environment of the region or country in which it is operating. The second section of each case study provides greater detail on an aspect of the organization, such as staffing, services for community foundations, or financial sustainability.

• Overview (PDF - 74 KB)
• Project Report and Learnings (PDF - 78 KB)
• Case Studies:
  
  1. Academy for the Development of Philanthropy (PDF - 451 KB)
     Poland - This profile includes a focus on the staffing of this philanthropic support organization, particularly in relation to community foundation activities.
  2. Baltic American Partnership Program (PDF - 562 KB)
     Latvia - This case study provides an early glimpse into activities in Latvia (and two neighbouring Baltic countries) relating to the potential development of community foundations.
  3. Community Foundation Network (PDF - 530 KB)
     United Kingdom - The profile of this support organization for community foundations includes a special focus on the services it provides to its members.
  4. Council of Michigan Foundations (PDF - 322 KB)
     United States - The profile of this 26-year old statewide association of grantmakers includes a special focus on some of the programs it has delivered to Michigan's community foundations, including the establishment of standards.
  5. European Foundation Centre (PDF - 596 KB)
     Belgium - This case study focuses on the Community Philanthropy Initiative (CPI), a program established in 1999 by the EFC to promote the development of community philanthropy organizations, including community foundations.
  6. Fondazione Cariplo Foundation (PDF - 322 KB)
     Italy - This profile provides a fascinating look at the ways in which a banking institution and its private foundation have made use of the community foundation model to reach the grassroots in its grantmaking.
  7. Institute for the Development of Social Investment (PDF - 269 KB)
     Brazil - This case study includes a focus on the delivery of a program by a new organization in a region where community foundations and community philanthropy are emerging.
  8. Southern African Grantmakers' Association (PDF - 402 KB)
     South Africa - This profile of a national association of grantmakers includes a focus on the development of the first ten community foundation initiatives in South Africa.
     [Note: Because of an inadvertent mistake this case study features an incorrect flag of South Africa. We regret the error.]

The WINGS-CF Case Studies, Volume II - Entire Publication (PDF - 1.5 MB) is also available. This document includes the Overview, Project Report and Learnings and Case Studies listed above.