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As a clearinghouse of information on philanthropy, DFW collects and disseminates information on a wide range of topics related to philanthropy and charitable giving. Our electronic newsletters and other publications are essential tools for both new and seasoned grantmakers, helping you stay informed about trends and activities in the regional grantmaking community.
On this page you will find publications that the Donors Forum has put together to get a scope of philanthropy in the state of Wisconsin along with our regional association colleagues and grantmaking members. |
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The Wisconsin State of Philanthropy Report 2009 provides a first-ever detailed look at grantmaking in Wisconsin as well as a deeper look into how philanthropy is practiced in the state. At a time with economic difficulties facing our state, this report provides critical benchmarks for grantmakers and information on giving for nonprofits. This report includes an overview of giving in Wisconsin, a look at the different types of grantmaking in the state, a section on the economic downturn, an in-depth look at where grant dollars are allocated, and an inside look at the inner workings of foundations.
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Wisconsin Giving Report details philanthropy in Wisconsin. It highlights the impact of individual, foundation and corproate giving in the state. It is DFW's hope to enrich the understanding of Wisconsin philanthropy by providing continued research on emerging trends in giving and growth of the philanthrophic community and its impact on the nonprofit sector.
2005 Wisconsin Giving Report
2003 Wisconsin Giving Report
2001 Wisconsin Giving Report
2000 Wisconsin Giving Report |
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The Donors Forum of Wisconsin produces the capital campaign report bi-annually as a service to the nonprofit sector. These reports offer a snapshot of the capital and endowment campaigns being planned and conducted in the state. The report is used for informational purposed only and users should not infer that any judgement was made regarding the projects listed or the organizations involved. Although we try to make this report as complete as possible, the information is self-reported and some nonprofit choose not to participate in the survey process.
2005 Capital Campaign Report
2003 Capital Campaign Report
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Voices from the Milwaukee Area Nonprofit Sector
When the economic recession hit in 2008, the Donors Forum of Wisconsin convened its membership to discuss how grantmakers were being affected by the economic crisis and the broader implications for the social sector. Based on the outcome of these meetings, Donors Forum of Wisconsin designed and facilitated a series of listening sessions in March 2009 for funders and nonprofit leaders to share strategies and concerns regarding how to ensure that resources and services are available to meet community needs.
2009 Mid-Year Report
In 2009 the Donors Forum of Wisconsin has focused on helping it's members and the greater grantmaking community to respond to the current economy by convening the philanthropic community to explore new grantmaking strategies and to seek increased efficiency in grantmaking. This report highlights DFW's work over the last 6 months.
Philanthropic Giving to the Arts in Greater Milwaukee
As part of the Cultural Alliance's "Cultural Asset Inventory of the Milwaukee 7 Region," commissioned by the Greater Milwaukee Committee, the Donors Forum of Wisconsin conducted research on philanthropic giving to the arts in the Milwaukee 7 region.
Guiding Principles and Effective Practice Options
A concise resource for Wisconsin grantmakers
The resource is designed to help all types of foundations maintain high ethical standards and strengthen their governance and management practices and are a useful resource to help grantmakers become more successful in fulfilling their missions.
Economic Benefits of Wisconsin's Nonprofit Sector, 2003
This study presents the first detailed analysis of the economic impact of Wisconsin nonprofits.
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The Report Card on Charitable Giving is published annually by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, researched by the Public Policy Forum and sponsored by the Donors Forum of Wisconsin, The Faye McBeath Foundation and the United Way of Greater Milwaukee. By tracking gifts made by individuals, businesses and foundations to local bellwether organizations, the Report Card gives a yearly snapshot of the support for local nonprofits. The groups represent a cross section of educational, human service, health, environmental, and arts and culture organizations in the greater Milwaukee area.
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 Project Streamline [pdf]
Project Streamline seeks to improve grant application and reporting. It is a collaborative initiative of the Grants Managers Network, in partnership with the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association of Small Foundations, the Council on Foundations, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, the Foundation Center, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, and the National Council of Nonprofit Associations.
This study describes the burdensome nature of grant application and reporting practices and recommends how foundations can change in order to relieve this burden.
The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers’s Effectiveness and Accountability initiative enables regional associations to provide grantmakers necessary educational resources to assist foundations in dealing with the critical issues surrounding accountability and effectiveness.
Below are the articles produced as educational resources and an inventory of existing accountability and effectiveness resources that have been created by our colleague organizations. The following priority issue areas persued were: advocacy, compensation, conflict of interest, self-dealing, the 990-PF, board governance, administrative expenses, payout, and communications.
Increasingly, foundations are moving beyond traditional third-party outcome studies toward more performance-centered approaches that provide foundations and their grantees with current information and actionable insights. FSG’s report highlights real-life examples of successful evaluation efforts from more than two dozen foundations of all sizes. What unites these examples is their simplicity, clarity of purpose, and forward-looking nature. Each involves a pragmatic effort to gather knowledge in order to improve decision-making and shape future behavior.
FSG’s report is intended to distill the learning and experience of foundations that have used evaluation effectively in order to provide clear guidance to those that are still searching for useful practices.
From Insight to Action: New Directions in Foundation Evaluation [pdf]
The origin of the rules against self-dealing for private foundations stems from the enactment of Section 4941 of the Internal Revenue Code as part of the Tax Reform Act of 1969. The self-dealing rules were just one of a series of prohibited actions initiated by Congress at that time to address negative activities by private foundations, and they allow the IRS to levy excise taxes on the foundation and (in some cases) on foundation managers when various prohibited activities occur.
Whether the donor to a private foundation is an individual, a family, or a for-profit company, it is important to understand that once cash or other assets are gifted (or bequeathed) to a private foundation, those assets then belong to a separate legal entity that is subject to many restrictions. Said as plainly as possible: “It’s not your money anymore.”
Self-Dealing: A Concise Resource for Foundation Board and Staff [pdf]
A conflict of interest arises whenever the “financial or personal interests” of a board member or foundation manager are, or appear to be, inconsistent or at odds with the interests of the foundation.
Learn more about conflicts of interest: how they arise, what to do about them, and how to develop and implement a conflict of interest policy.
Conflicts of Interest at Foundations: Avoiding the Bad and Managing the Good [pdf]
As foundations, you are encouraged to be transparent in your operations in order to enhance your reputation in the community and to avoid legal and regulatory scrutiny. But what does it mean to be transparent? Who are your target audiences, what should you share with them, and what communications vehicles can you use to accomplish your goals? And finally, is transparency really a step towards being a more effective grantmaker?
Communications/Disclosure Assessment [doc]
Communications/Disclosure Resources [doc]
In this era of increased scrutiny of foundation operations philanthropic organizations must do everything possible to ensure that they are operating in an ethical and transparent manner. Those in leadership positions have an especially important role in promoting organizational effectiveness and improving grantmaking practices.
Board Chairs and Governance Committees: Teleconference [recording]
What is advocacy? (Hint: it is more than just lobbying.) What is a private foundation and how is it different from a public charity? Can private foundations lobby? What about public foundations? What lobbying provisions should a foundation include in grant agreements?
Foundations and Advocacy: Webinar
When it comes to reporting administrative expenses, there are some clear-cut rules and regulations, and then there are issues around which there are lots of questions and unfortunately, not many easy answers.
- What should a foundation count as administrative expenses?
- Are there any dependable benchmarks?
- How do you classify direct vs. indirect costs?
- How will the current legislation affect reporting in the future?
Understanding Administrative Expenses: Teleconference [recording]
No longer just a report to the IRS, the 990-PF is now the most commonly used data source about nonprofits. Reporters, researchers, grantseekers - and many others - look to these forms for information about an organization. This makes accurate numbers, correct entries, and properly worded descriptions more important than ever. This educational program focuses on the most important aspects of filling out the 990-PF, with a special focus on common errors and potentially misleading entries.
2007 Version of the 990-PF Form [pdf]
10 Common Errors to Avoid in Completing a Private Foundation's Form 990-PF [pdf]
What You Should Know Before Signing Your Organization's Form 990-PF [pdf]
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At the recommendation of the GMC Quality of Life Committee, the Greater Milwaukee Committee contracted with the Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee to survey and evaluate the arts and cultural sector and county parks in southeastern Wisconsin. The Cultural Alliance worked with three research partners – UWM Center for Urban Initiatives and Research (UWM); Public Policy Forum (PPF); and the Donors Forum of Wisconsin (DFW). The Donors Forum conducted research on trends in private, organized philanthropic giving to the arts in the Milwaukee 7 region. |
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