• Our Purpose

The Council’s Research Department conducts survey research in two areas: grantmaker operations and public policy. Use our grantmaker operations research to learn how others manage their boards and endowments, and compensate their staffs. Use our policy research to understand how changing conditions affect the philanthropic sector.


  • Perpetuity or Limited Lifespan?

Discover how family foundations decide whether to exist in perpetuity or spend down. Read this new report by the Foundation Center and the Council.

Download highlights
Download full report


Community Foundation Investment Performance & Practices

Review and compare asset allocation, investment performance and management practices of community foundations in 2008. Data are presented for 200 community foundations and 221 portfolios (21 community foundations are in both corporate and trust form).

Executive Summary and 11 Key Tables [pdf]
Appendix D [xls]
Appendix E [xls]


Foundation Management Series

Compare your governance practices—on board compensation, private foundation administrative expenses, and other important topics.


Policy Research

Discover how changing conditions—the economic downturn, asset declines and changes in investment strategy, and others—are affecting the philanthropic sector. And find out how grantmakers are responding.

Donor Advised Funds - State Specific Information (July 2009)
Asset Declines and Investment Strategy Changes Report (March 2009)
Donor Advised Funds Provide Majority of Grant Funds Awarded by Community Foundations (January 2009)
Survey: Foundations Support Families Hit by Econimic Downturn (May 2008)

Research in Collaboration

Get the best data available on important topics using collaborative research conducted by the Council and key philanthropic research groups.


Online Data Collection & Benchmarking

Learn about Peerfocus—our powerful online data collection and benchmarking tool. And, read our policy statement for collecting and disseminating data.


Other Research Reports

Find archived research reports on various topics on classic.cof.org.



Contact Us

Terri Ashton

Coordinator
terri.ashton@cof.org
703-879-0698