Time, Talent and Treasure tells the true story of the charitable community in America highlighting the outstanding work being done in every corner of our country.

Foundations Support Families Hit by Economic Downtuwn Read the results of a May 1, 2008 survey by the Council on Foundations at http://www.cof.org/files/images/Summit/ecdwntrn.pdf The survey of over 300 foundations shows broad support for families hit by the current economic downturn. In the first of a series of research studies on the relationship between philanthropy and the economy, the Council release shows strong response by foundations and corporate giving programs to help those most impacted by today’s economy. The report shows that the vast majority of foundations (86 percent) support grantmaking that either directly or indirectly aids families, provides human services, assists lower-income populations or supports economic development. Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) Provide the Majority of Grant Funds Awarded by Community Foundations Read the results of a January 12, 2009 survey by the Council on Foundations at http://www.cof.org/files/Documents/Research/08donoradvisedpaper.pdf. Donor-advised funds (DAF) comprise just 33 percent of the community foundation sector's total assets, but they account for 62 percent of the community foundation sector's annual grantmaking.  According to this report by the Council on Foundations, DAFs had an estimated $31 billion in assets in 2007, the majority of which ($16.5 billion, or 53 percent) was held by community foundations in some 49,000 funds.  The payout rate from community foundation DAFs was also three times the payout rate for non-donor advised funds: 16.4 percent versus 5 percent.  In comparison to other funds, a higher proportion of grant dollars from DAFs was used to support international affairs. Asset Declines and Investment Strategy Changes by Family, Independent, and Public Foundations Read the results of a February 2, 2009 survey by the Council on Foundations at http://www.cof.org/files/Documents/Conferences/ 09FamPhilConf/EconSurvey4.pdf This survey just released by the Council on Foundations shows that family, independent, and public foundations experienced a 28 percent decline in their asset values over the course of 2008.  Many foundations have not made major changes to their investment strategies, but a substantial proportion are making changes in their investment managers, their diversification, and aggressiveness of their investment strategies.  While nearly half of assets were held in equities at the end of 2008, more than two-fifths of respondents noted that the share of assets held in equities had dropped. Also, more than a third noted an increase in the proportion of assets held in fixed-income securities and cash.

Just Released: Responding in Crisis The most recent study by TPC focuses on the foundation community’s response to the economic crisis. The study, authored by noted economist Dr. Doug Hotlz-Eakin, found that foundations were swift, flexible and targeted in their response to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression – using on-the-ground knowhow to make a significant impact. This study is the first of its kind to analyze the private-sector response to the crisis and shows that the federal government’s response was not the only story. Click here to read the report. Click here to read the press release. Click here to read quotes from mayors.

Economic Benefits of Health Field Grants Building on the success of our first study, TPC commissioned economist Dr. Phillip Swagel, a former Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy at the U.S. Department of Treasury, to answer the question “who benefits” from foundation giving. Dr. Swagel analyzed a representative sample of health-related grants to determine who benefited from this grant making. The study finds that 2 of 3 grant dollars in health go toward benefiting underserved populations. This study expands our knowledge of how grants in the health field impact all communities, including low-income and minority populations. You can see the study here. Read our press release. View the press conference video.

Foundation Dollars: An Economic Multiplier On December 3, 2008, the Philanthropic Collaborative released a ground-breaking study by Dr. Robert Shapiro measuring the direct and indirect benefits foundation giving has on the America economy. Read more here... Download: Report | Executive Summary Press Release | Remarks Video: Press Conference