Overview of Findings

Philanthropy faces an awareness deficit, according to a survey of engaged Americans. Our question: Are annual reports part of the problem or a solution?

Our research examines the perspectives and practices of private foundations and looks at the annual report as a communication vehicle. The insights from the research produced the following ten findings:

#1 LIMITED REACH WITH ENGAGED AMERICANS

#2 LIMITED REACH WITH GRANTEES

#3 LITTLE EVALUATION

#4 LOTS OF OBJECTIVES, ONE VEHICLE

#5 PRACTITIONER CRITICISMS

#6 POWER OF INERTIA

#7 VALUABLE ON THE INSIDE

#8 STRENGTHENS TRANSPARENCY

#9 BUDGET DRAIN

#10 CORPORATE SECTOR SPENDING LESS

About WhyAnnualReports.org

Philanthropy faces an awareness deficit, according to a survey of engaged Americans. Are annual reports part of the problem or a solution?

With funding from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative and Communications Network commissioned Williams Group to research private foundation annual report practices.

The findings and conclusions were first delivered at Communications Network’s 2008 annual conference, in a plenary session titled “Is the annual report nearing extinction? Should it be?"

This website is the place for you to weigh in. Start by reading “Talking to Ourselves?” Then voice your take.

What Your Colleagues Are Saying

"Even for ink-stained dinosaurs like me, who still think there is a place for a printed report, this study shows that such reports can’t – and shouldn’t – be approached in a traditional manner."

-- David S. Powell, Lumina Foundation for Education
(Read the full comment.)

"When people are invested in an issue, they still read. And if foundations want to save the environment (and money), there are many other things to cut that will yield better results than eliminating annual reports."

-- Ani Hurwitz, The New York Community Trust
(Read the full comment.)

"Your history either matters or it doesn't. Publishing an annual report forces your organization to annually select and compile information about its work, its people, its grantees, its finances and other things that matter to most organizations that have a past and a future."

-- Phil Nash, formerly of Rose Community Foundation
(Read the full comment.)

""Talking to Ourselves?' has us thinking about all aspects of the German Marshall Fund’s annual report, from content to cost to raison d’etre. At the most, it could change the way we talk about our foundation, promote our work, and curate our history."

-- William Bohlen, German Marshall US Fund
(Read the full comment.)

Overview of Findings

Listen in to a Vigorous Conversation

Findings from "Talking to Ourselves?"

About WhyAnnualReports.org

What Your Colleagues Are Saying

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