GEO leads changes to make grant support more effective

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations is an initiative by a coalition of some 300 grantmakers to catalyze significant, measurable change in the field of philanthropy that leads to more effective support of nonprofits, writes Jane Kendall, president of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, a member of GEO’s advisory panel.

GEO's Change Agent Project was founded on the premise that grantmakers succeed only when grantees achieve meaningful results. The project identified how grantmakers and nonprofit leaders across the country are overcoming self-imposed barriers to grantee impact and published them in a report, Listen, Learn, Lead.

The report makes the case that grantmakers can maximize their support of nonprofits by listening to and learning from the organizations they support.  It features examples of how funders are improving strategies and practice by incorporating grantees’ experience and perspectives.

“The ideas and examples represent some of what is possible when grantmakers and nonprofits seek to work together in true partnership,” Kendall said.

Looking ahead, GEO is working with grantmakers to speed innovation in philanthropy to broaden grantmaker support for nonprofit results. The group invites nonprofits and foundations to share reactions and experiences to help shape this work. Send your feedback to Lori Bartczak at bartczak@geofunders.org.