Philanthropy has the potential to contribute solutions to many social and environmental problems. Yet many donors, and the nonprofits they support, stumble in determining appropriate objectives, planning and implementing effective strategies, and monitoring progress. Compared with the business sector and government, there is scant knowledge available to assist foundations and nonprofit organizations in improving their work.
The Hewlett Foundation's Philanthropy Program makes grants to improve the outcomes achieved by nonprofits through advances in data, knowledge, and practice. By supporting data development and research, the Program increases knowledge about planning, evaluation, and management at nonprofits and foundations. In addition, the Program raises awareness about good practices in philanthropy and supports programs that help donors and foundations learn how to achieve greater results from their giving.
The Philanthropy Program supports three primary grantmaking guidelines:
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Developing data on nonprofits
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Advancing knowledge about philanthropy
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Engaging donors in learning about practice
In addition, the Program makes grants to build the organizational capacity of the Foundation’s grantees primarily by bringing in outside experts who assist with planning and evaluation. On a limited basis, the program also awards opportunity grants to support the nonprofit sector.
For an in-depth look at the Hewlett Foundation's approach to Philanthropy, read this interview with Foundation President Paul Brest in the January/February 2004 issue of Philanthropy Magazine.
Philanthropy Program Priorities
Developing data on nonprofits
Increase the amount and quality of publicly available data about nonprofits through support for Web sites and databases that collect, organize, and disseminate such information. Better data about nonprofit organizations and their programs contributes to research, knowledge sharing, effective funding decisions, and the matching of people in need to the services that can help them.
Advancing knowledge about philanthropy
Improve knowledge about philanthropy through support for research projects and institutions. The Foundation prioritizes knowledge that informs practice at nonprofits and foundations, particularly with regard to planning, evaluation, and management. Breakthroughs in knowledge about practice can translate into results on important social and environmental issues.
Engaging donors in learning about practice
Help donors to achieve greater results from their giving by supporting programs for learning and knowledge sharing. Recently, Foundation support has focused on programs that engage high net worth donors and small foundations. In addition, the Foundation actively seeks to learn about and model good work through its own practice.
Opportunity
At the Foundation's initiative only, opportunity grants are made that support the overall goals of the Philanthropy Program yet are not directly aligned with one of the other priority areas. In prior years, the Foundation has made grants to organizations that have led the response to increased government and public scrutiny of foundations.
Please click here to download the Philanthropy Program’s Theory of Change
Representative Grants
National Center on Charitable Statistics
The National Center on Charitable Statistics provides a clearinghouse of data about the nonprofit sector in the United States. Data from the Center has been instrumental for researchers seeking to study topics such as the scope of the nonprofit sector or growth at nonprofit organizations. The Center is housed at the Urban Institute.
The Bridgespan Group
The Bridgespan Group is a nonprofit consulting firm that applies management expertise to help nonprofits and foundations achieve greater impact. The Foundation supports Bridgespan’s efforts to capture lessons from its consulting practice and share knowledge with the field.
The Philanthropy Workshop/West
Many individual donors are interested in learning about how they can achieve more from their giving. The Philanthropy Workshop/West, which is housed at the Foundation, hosts workshops where donors have the opportunity to learn from leaders in the nonprofit sector and other active philanthropists.
Independent Sector
In a panel co-convened by Hewlett Foundation President Paul Brest, Independent Sector has led nonprofits and foundations in a constructive response to inquiries from Congress. The panel has produced a report with recommendations on how charities, Congress, and the Internal Revenue Service could strengthen the nonprofit sector’s governance and accountability.
Links to Philanthropy newsletter stories: