Through Philamplify, foundations have a way to determine if they’re being as impactful as they can be

Grantmakers operate in a bubble – many don’t receive unvarnished critical feedback from staff, peers, grantees and other stakeholders.

To top it off, most traditional assessments don’t capture key elements of effective grantmaking in support of lasting, positive social change.

As a result, most foundations don’t really know if they could be doing their work better, or how, to support the issues and communities they care about.

Through Philamplify’s expert assessments and POWER MOVES, we offer two ways for grantmakers to have a comprehensive, nuanced examination of goals, strategies and practices for actionable recommendations to help our communities thrive and make our world a better place.

PHILAMPLIFY FOR MORE RESPONSIVE SOCIAL JUSTICE GRANTMAKING

To nonprofits, community leaders and others on the front lines of social movements: Philamplify can help grantmakers supporting your work become more effective and responsive donors.

Just let us know:

• Has a foundation that funds in your issue or community already been assessed?
  Ask that foundation how it is changing practice in response to stakeholders’ feedback and our recommendations.
• Do you know a foundation that would benefit from using POWER MOVES, the only self-assessment guide that helps grantmakers determine how well they are building, sharing and wielding power to achieve equity goals?
  Tell us about that foundation, and we’ll reach out to them. And please ask others in your networks to do the same.
• Are you part of a social movement that is being harmed or hampered by foundation practices that don’t build, share or wield power as effectively as they could?
  Are you prepared to challenge the funder(s) to improve? Contact Lisa Ranghelli to let us know which grantmaker(s) should be assessed by NCRP so they can support social movements like yours more effectively.

Comprehensive nuanced assessments of grantmaker practices and operations to maximize philanthropic impact

Philamplify assessments include key findings and recommendations, along with in-depth analysis of foundations’ funding strategies and operations. By keeping these assessments public, Philamplify seeks to build a culture of transparency, mutual accountability and knowledge sharing.

By allowing stakeholders to share feedback anonymously, the assessments enable foundations to find out how they’re really doing.

At the center of Philamplify assessments is unvarnished feedback from grantees, community leaders, grantmaker peers and other stakeholders about which strategies and practices are working and which aren’t. Anonymous surveys and candid conversations facilitate a safe space for stakeholders to tell it how it is without fearing fallout from being honestly critical about a foundation … and that’s important!

Actionable, honest feedback

To date, NCRP has conducted 12 Philamplify assessments of foundations from across the country. Although these assessments were completed with or without foundation cooperation, nearly all of the foundations reported to NCRP that they acted on at least one key recommendation to improve grantmaking and operations.

Philamplify can help your nonprofit and social movement

Philamplify assessments are a learning tool on the various practices that lead to high-impact giving. Foundations that take recommendations to heart do the following:

• Give nonprofits the support they need to boost capacity, plan multiple years into the future, take advantage of unforeseen opportunities, respond to crises, and advocate and organize with their communities.
• Leverage financial and non-financial assets to support grantee causes.
• Incorporate the wisdom and experience of grantees and community leaders in formulating strategies and decision-making.

Nonprofits ready to organize their peers and establish a strong campaign for change should feel empowered to put pressure on foundations to improve their practices and strategies. Tell us which foundation would benefit from an assessment.

To submit your recommendation, contact Janay Richmond at jrichmond[at]ncrp.org.

Foundations: Learn from your peers through these Philamplify assessments

Our groundbreaking foundation assessments provide actionable insights that you can apply to your own organization. Learn from the assessment of The California Endowment, The Kresge Foundation, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation and others.

Is your foundation ready to learn how to build, share and wield power for maximum impact? Download and self-assess using Power Moves today!