External Review and Options Appraisal of the Global Fund for Community Foundations

Barbara Klugman & Mark Turpin (2013) Johannesburg

This Strategic Review and Options Appraisal was undertaken for the Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF) by external consultants Barbara Klugman and Mark Turpin in response to a call for proposals issued by the GFCF in late 2012.  The work was undertaken between January and March 2013, and the draft Report was presented to the GFCF Board in March 2013.

This Report is not an evaluation of the work of GFCF, while it nonetheless ‘reviews’ the work and achievements of the organisation, particularly in the light of where the organisation stands at the present time.  In this sense, it is more of a ‘snapshot’ view of the GFCF.  And the Report, recognising that the GFCF is at an important moment in its life at a time of both challenge and opportunity, then presents a set of Options for decision.  At its March meeting, the GFCF Board made a choice for one of the Options presented and this is elaborated in the conclusion of the Report.

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Weaving our fabric in the Arab World: Naseej Report, 2005-2012

Naseej, 2013

Report on Naseej Foundation's activities in the Arab region to strengthen communities and youth civic engagement from 2005 - 2012. 

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How can we grow the work? Ideas from Practitioners from Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace

Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace, March 2013

This report produced by the Working Group on Philanthropy for Social Justice and Peace, is based on conversations with twenty-four practitioners. It is a step towards building voices in philanthropy that express a desire to shift the discourse and direction of mainstream organized philanthropy to one that put social justice and peace at its core.

The report highlights the need for building bridges and connections; it calls for opportunities to share, talk and learn from one another; to provide leadership and find allies. In doing so it stresses on the need to be inclusive, flexible and open, yet serious and rigorous in making the case and building an evidence base for PSJP.

Most importantly the report underscores the call by practitioners of PSJP to be self critical and to ask of themselves the questions they would ask of others. In order to “grow this work” we are building the PSJP Network as a true community of practice “that is organic, self directed, nimble, spontaneous, and inclusive, driven not by dominant ideas but by diverse voices, with conversations relevant to context and tolerant of those at the periphery as well as the center.”

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From Alliance magazine: Markets are emerging - what about philanthropy?

Building something new for the future

Dramatic shifts in the political and economic landscape of many low and middle- income countries in recent years have resulted in the emergence of a new class of wealthy individuals. This has led to a rapid growth in private and family foundations in many emerging markets. But the benefits of economic liberalization have not always resulted in an equal distribution of wealth, and income disparities have only been exacerbated by the global economic crisis. Against this background, Jenny Hodgson looks at a new breed of community philanthropy institutions which is emerging.

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March 1st 2013, Alliance magazine

Not philanthropists but revolutionaries: promoting Bedouin participation in the New Egypt

Not philanthropists but revolutionaries: promoting Bedouin participation in the New Egypt

Hilary Gilbert and Mohammed Khedr al Jebaali, October 2012, John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, The American University in Cairo

The Community Foundation for South Sinai (Al mo’assessa‑t‑al ahliya lijanoub sina) was established in 2006 as a mechanism for promoting local, small‑scale development among Bedouin communities in Egypt’s South Sinai. Traditionally nomadic (although now most lead only semi‑nomadic or sedentary lives), the Bedouin have a rich culture of their own, quite distinct from that of the rest of Egypt.

Although the Community Foundation for South Sinai was established with serious and long term aspirations its initial ambitions were, like its funding base, modest: early activities included economic development projects such as olive oil production. However, in January 2011 when Egypt’s massive people‑led revolution swept across the country the foundation – encouraged by local community leaders – saw an unprecedented opportunity to harness this newfound democratic momentum in Egypt’s South Sinai.

This paper is part of the Voices working paper series and which disseminate the findings of research and documentation in progress with the goal of promoting the exchange of ideas and encouraging dialogue among researchers and practitioners.

A year of Young Nitra Philanthropists

This 30-minute film made by the Nitra Community Foundation (Slovakia), describes the foundation's ‘Young Nitra Philanthropists’ programme, which puts young people in charge of their own small-scale grantmaking programmes and promotes a culture of giving for various types of civic activities (such as small-scale environmental regeneration projects, cultural activities, etc.).

The film was made with grant funding from the GFCF's Youth Civic Engagement Programme.