Philanthropy Front and Center - Washington, DC

New Foundation Center Map of Cross-border Giving

Our new Map of Cross-border Giving allows grantseekers to access a wealth of information on grants awarded by U.S. foundations to non-U.S. recipients. This interactive database includes detailed descriptions of grants awarded to over 12,000 international organizations totaling more than $8.5 billion. With this new resource, users can:

• Browse grants from U.S. grantmakers to non-U.S. recipient organizations using the interactive world map.
• Filter grants by fiscal year, grantmaker type, primary subject, recipient type, or type of support.
• View descriptions of over 30,000 grants to international organizations with information on the recipient, amount awarded, duration, type of support, description, and subject.
• Access detailed profiles of more than 1,400 funders, including contact information, giving interests and limitations, key financial data, and full copies of IRS returns for past years.
• Copy, print, or save maps for future reference. Data can also be exported as a spreadsheet file for further manipulation.

The Foundation Center's Map of Cross-border Giving is available by monthly or annual subscription. For more details, go to crossborder.foundationcenter.org or visit the Marketplace section of our web site.

From The Answer Desk: What is Microfinance?

A: According to a Forbes article on the World's Top Microfinance Institutions, private investor microfinance funding totaled $2 billion in 2006. So what is microfinance and who benefits? MIX Market, a web-based information portal that disseminates information on public and private funds that invest in microfinance globally, introduces the idea of microfinance in these terms:

"To most, microfinance means providing very poor families with very small loans (microcredit) to help them engage in productive activities or grow their tiny businesses. Over time, microfinance has come to include a broader range of services (credit, savings, insurance, etc.) as we have come to realize that the poor and the very poor who lack access to traditional formal financial institutions require a variety of financial products."

In case anyone wonders whether microfinance is a profitable venture, the Capco Institute reported in the Journal of Financial Transformation that of a sample group of about 700 microfinance institutions (MFIs), the top 176 MFIs experienced a return on equity (RoE) of 17.2%. But what of the effects of the global financial crisis? A new survey by the UK-based Centre for the Study of Financial Information reports that while the sector itself has a growing client base, microlending may be faced with its first major "stress test", tackling the immediate concerns of liquidity shortages, bad loans and credit risk.

In the US, microlending seemed to be making an upswing in the midst of the recession among small business entrepreneurs, according to a February MSNBC article. One of the major global microlending institutions, Kiva, recently launched Online Microfinance in the US, which enables individual lenders to make small loans to US-based entrepreneurs.

Other major players in the arena, both nationally and internationally, include ACCION and The Grameen Foundation, both of which provide stories and updates on their websites of ongoing microlending projects and opportunities around the globe. 

Do you have a question? Ask Us!

(This post is from Katie Artzner, the Foundation Center's online librarian)

A: According to a Forbes article on the World's Top Microfinance Institutions, private investor microfinance funding totaled $2 billion in 2006. So what is microfinance and who benefits? MIX Market, a web-based information portal that disseminates information on public and private funds that invest in microfinance globally, introduces the idea of microfinance in these terms:

"To most, microfinance means providing very poor families with very small loans (microcredit) to help them engage in productive activities or grow their tiny businesses. Over time, microfinance has come to include a broader range of services (credit, savings, insurance, etc.) as we have come to realize that the poor and the very poor who lack access to traditional formal financial institutions require a variety of financial products."

In case anyone wonders whether microfinance is a profitable venture, the Capco Institute reported in the Journal of Financial Transformation that of a sample group of about 700 microfinance institutions (MFIs), the top 176 MFIs experienced a return on equity (RoE) of 17.2%. But what of the effects of the global financial crisis? A new survey by the UK-based Centre for the Study of Financial Information reports that while the sector itself has a growing client base, microlending may be faced with its first major "stress test", tackling the immediate concerns of liquidity shortages, bad loans and credit risk.

In the US, microlending seemed to be making an upswing in the midst of the recession among small business entrepreneurs, according to a February MSNBC article. One of the major global microlending institutions, Kiva, recently launched Online Microfinance in the US, which enables individual lenders to make small loans to US-based entrepreneurs.

Other major players in the arena, both nationally and internationally, include ACCION and The Grameen Foundation, both of which provide stories and updates on their websites of ongoing microlending projects and opportunities around the globe. 

Do you have a question? Ask Us!

(This post is from Katie Artzner, the Foundation Center's online librarian)

Free Shipping in August on New Research Report: Social Justice Grantmaking II

This August, the Foundation Center is offering free shipping on our new report, Social Justice Grantmaking II: An Update on U.S. Foundation Trends, when you order online. 

An update to the Foundation Center's 2005 study, Social Justice Grantmaking II provides valuable insight into ongoing trends in funding for social justice causes, which now accounts for 12% of total giving by U.S. foundations. This new report presents a current overview of social justice-related funding, including support for such subjects as economic and community development, human rights and civil liberties, and health care access. The report also discusses the impact of the economic crisis on social justice grantmaking and other events affecting the field.

Read highlights of the study's findings at our web site and visit our Marketplace to purchase the full report ($40.00). Buy now >>

Study Shows Renewed Interest in Social Justice Philanthropy

Social Justice Grantmaking II: An Update on U.S. Foundation Trends provides a current analysis of foundation giving to social justice work and reports on the detailed recommendations given by funders and advocates interested in advancing social justice philanthropy. This follow-up to the Foundation Center’s 2005 study, our first exploration of the topic, reports a nearly 31% increase in foundation giving to U.S.-based and international social justice activities between 2002 and 2006. Foundation giving to social justice totaled $2.3 billion in 2006, representing roughly 12% of all giving by foundations. Economic and community development, health care access, and human rights and civil liberties received the largest share of social justice funding.

The report discusses factors that have influenced the resurgence of interest in social justice grantmaking, including the success of community organizing during the 2008 presidential election. "In 2005 many of us wondered about the prospects for social justice philanthropy because the field itself was so pessimistic about its future. Today, social justice is experiencing a resurgence, fueled by philanthropists whose passion won't let them stand by when there is injustice and whose pragmatism demands results," said Bradford Smith, president of the Foundation Center.

You can download the report highlights free of charge. The full report (available in August) can be purchased on our web site.

Free Shipping in July on New Study on Women's Funds

This July, the Foundation Center is offering free shipping on our new report, Accelerating Change for Women and Girls: The Role of Women's Funds, when you order online.

Philanthropy by and for women has increased dramatically since the 1970s, calling attention to critical, previously-hidden issues such as human trafficking and domestic violence. Published in partnership with the Women's Funding Network, this report examines patterns of giving by women's funds and their role in spearheading social change.

Read highlights of the study's findings at our web site and visit our Marketplace to purchase the full report ($19.95). Buy now >>