Council on Foundations (www.cof.org) is the 50+-year-old membership association of grantmaking foundations and corporations. The host of annual conferences of community, family, and all foundations, the site will steer you to profession-wide research and member sites, of which it has many.
Giving Network (http://www.givingnetwork.org/index100203.html) initiative is a coordinated campaign to increase charitable capital in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Giving New England's goal is to change perceptions and behaviors toward philanthropy and to increase the quality of life in our states. The goals and strategies of the initiative are designed to build and strengthen an infrastructure for promoting and increasing philanthropy throughout our region.
Grantmakers in the Arts (http://giarts.org/) is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of private foundations, family foundations, community foundations, corporate foundations, corporate giving programs, and nonprofit organizations that make arts grants. GIA welcomes public sector grantmakers as affiliate members. More than 850 individuals - both trustee and staff - participate in GIA, representing more than 250 organizations.
The Grantmakers Council of Rhode Island (http://www.givingforum.org/aboutrags/profile-rhodeisland.html) is a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to educate and inform individuals engaged in organized philanthropy in Rhode Island.
Grantmakers In Health (http://www.gih.org/) is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to helping foundations and corporate giving programs improve the nation's health. Its mission is to foster communication and collaboration among grantmakers and others, and to help strengthen the grantmaking community's knowledge, skills, and effectiveness. Formally launched in 1982, GIH is known today as the professional home for health grantmakers, and a resource for grantmakers and others seeking expertise and information on the field of health philanthropy.
Hispanics in Philanthropy’s (http://www.hiponline.org/) mission is to serve as a catalyst to increase resources for the Latino and Latin American civil sector, as well as to increase Latino participation and leadership throughout philanthropy. Their work is designed to contribute to the greater effectiveness of philanthropy and to greater equity and diversity. Their vision of the future reflects the organization’s diverse origins and projects a model of philanthropy that is congruent with the increasingly diverse global community in which we live.
Independent Sector (www.independentsector.org) is a membership organization that brings together foundations, nonprofit groups, and corporate giving programs to support philanthropy, volunteering and citizen action. Helpful sections include ''What's new at IS?'' and research findings such as the results of a 1999 national survey which found 70% of American households contribute to charitable organizations, with the average gift of contributing households being $1,075 or 2.1% of income.
The National Network of Grantmakers (http://www.nng.org/) is an organization of individuals involved in funding social and economic justice, not a funding group. NNG is committed to the goal of increasing resources, financial and otherwise, to organizations working for social change. Its members are individual donors, foundation staff, board, and grantmaking committee members. Founded in 1980, NNG provides services to both funders and practitioners or grantseekers.
The Neighborhood Funders Group (http://www.nfg.org/) is a national network of foundations and philanthropic organizations. Its members support community-based efforts that improve economic and social conditions in low-income communities. NFG provides information, learning opportunities, critical thinking and other professional development activities to its members.
Women & Philanthropy (www.womenphil.org) brings together women, men, and grantmakers "dedicated to achieving equity for women and girls." A good collection of news and research papers.
Women’s Funding Network (www.wfnet.org) is an international association of public and private women’s foundations, federations, funds in community foundations, individual donors and supporting institutions, with an impressive set of links to their allies.
