Colleagues

The Council on Foundations Strategic Framework emphasizes the Council's important role in increasing collaboration among the many organizations that now serve the foundation world. Affinity groups, regional associations, university-based and nonprofit research and education programs are all a growing part of the resource network available to grantmakers.

The Council will:

Form new working relationships with other philanthropic support organizations, where each contributes its core strengths in complementary ways
Test ways to better facilitate regional and local service delivery, networking, and identification of emerging trends or issues
Adjust existing working relationships to ensure that organized philanthropy receives services effectively and economically

Affinity Groups

Affinity groups are organizations founded by grantmakers who have common interests. The first affinity groups were formed in the early 1980s and provide opportunities for grantmakers with common interests to meet each other, share knowledge and encourage collaborative funding. Some affinity groups are formed around the identity of the population served. Some are formed around particular grant issue areas. Still others are formed around position and function.

Regional Associations

Regional associations of grantmakers are nonprofit membership associations of private and community foundations, corporations, individuals and others committed to strengthening philanthropy in the geographic areas in which they operate, within the United States.