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What We Care About

Flexible, Reliable Funding

When we provide funding that gives nonprofits space to innovate and the security to know our support is here for the long haul, they worry less about their own survival and focus more on responding to shifts in their environment and lifting up their communities.

81 %

of funders report giving some general operating support grants

Flexible, reliable funding, such as general operating support, multiyear grants and funds that cover indirect costs, gives nonprofits the resources to strengthen their organizations, respond to changes in our communities and make real progress.. When we provide funding that gives nonprofits space to innovate and the security to know our support is here for the long haul, they worry less about their own survival and focus more on responding to shifts in their environment and lifting up their communities.

Often, offering flexible, reliable support comes down to really trusting nonprofits. But solving complex issues is hard work — and nonprofits know what they need to reach their goals and support community members. That’s why GEO’s research shows that grantmakers who are more connected to their grantees are more likely to provide the support that nonprofits need to be successful. Making a real difference on some of the most deep-rooted, systemic problems our communities face requires us to give nonprofits the support they need to grow and become stronger for the long-term.

Time is our most precious commodity. There are only so many workable hours in a week. Multiyear support gives a small agency like ours the ability to focus on our programs and what happens for people.

Dave Coplan, executive director, Human Services Center and director, Mon Valley Providers Council

Helpful Tools and Resources

Stay informed of the emerging trends and promising practices from the field of philanthropy through GEO’s publications and research.

  • GEOList Members Only

    GEOList Summary: Organization Design- request for sample naming protocols

    Hello GEO friends, I am interested to learn if you have any naming protocols or conventions that you use for grants that you provide to capital projects. Do you ask for naming after your foundation if you provide over a certain amount of funding to the project? Are there other parameters that you consider when making such a request? Thank you for your assistance! Charlotte

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • October 2023
  • GEOList Members Only

    GEOList Summary: Streamlining the grant review process?

    Hello all! We are seeking any resources or methods that people recommend for creating a streamlined grant review process for board members who have larger numbers of grants to review. Thanks for any guidance or structure you’ve found helpful! Georganna

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • September 2023
  • GEOList Members Only

    GEOList Summary: Stipends for NPOs to apply for grant after being invited

    Hello all, We are seeking resources or sample policies for foundations that offer stipends to NPOs that they invite to apply, to cover the NPO’s time in filling out the application/write the proposal. Thank you as always for your knowledge sharing! Georganna

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • July 2023
  • GEOList Members Only

    GEOList Summary: Funding organizations with endowments

    Hi GEO friends, We are revisiting how or when to support organizations with large endowments. We’ve discussed criteria like whether the endowment is unrestricted, how many months or years of operating reserves it contains, etc. Does anyone use any guidelines or have any resources to share re: whether to fund an organization with a sizeable endowment? Thanks in advance, Stephanie

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • June 2023
  • GEOList Members Only

    GEOList Summary: Loan Extension for PRI

    Hi all, We’d like to extend the term of a loan to a nonprofit to allow 12 additional months before the outstanding balance is due to the Foundation. Does anyone have a loan extension template we could take a look at? Thanks, Gina ___

    • Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
    • June 2023

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Perspectives on Philanthropy

Interesting thoughts and ideas circulating in the GEO community.

  • To break the nonprofit starvation cycle, funders must take the lead.

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    PEAK Grantmaking

    Project Streamline

    Project Streamline focuses on helping grantmakers get the information they need, while reducing the burden of application and reporting practices on nonprofit grantseekers.

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    Philanthropy California

    Full Cost Project

    Created by funders for funders, the Full Cost Project explores what it takes for funders to develop new grantmaking practices based on what it really costs to deliver outcomes.

Related Topics

Capacity Building

Grantmakers who put the work in to provide effective capacity-building support help ensure that nonprofits have what they need to deliver on their missions over the long term.

Learn More

Strengthening Relationships

When we build trust and tap the knowledge and perspective of nonprofits and the communities we serve, we create better solutions.

Learn More
Margie Obeng, Program Assistant, GEO

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