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CALL FOR BOARD NOMINATIONS FOR THE GLOBAL FUND FOR COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS
The Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF) is an emerging institution which seeks to strengthen and promote institutions of local philanthropy around the world so that they can realize their potential as vehicles for and supporters of local community. It provides grants and technical support to community foundations and other local philanthropic institutions and support organizations primarily in the low and middle income countries (and, from time to time, in disadvantaged communities in the Global North).
In its pilot phase, the GFCF has been operating as a project of the European Foundation Centre and Worldwide Initiative on Grantmaker Support (WINGS). It is now on a path towards becoming established as an independent legal entity, which will incorporate in late 2008 / early 2009.
The GFCF is currently seeking board members for the new institution, who as a group, can represent all the world’s geographic regions in line with the Fund’s global mandate. It is envisaged that face-to-face board meetings will be held no more than twice a year, with additional meetings held by conference call.
The nominations process will be open until August 18th 2008. For further details on criteria etc. and a nomination form, please contact Jenny Hodgson.
Conference Scholarship Grants
The Global Fund for Community Foundations is inviting applications for a limited number of scholarships to attend the Community Foundations of Canada Conference, “Our Communities, Our World”, November 7th – 9th 2008 in Montreal. Successful applicants should have excellent English skills and will be able to demonstrate how they intend to share their learning to advance the community foundation sector in their country. Preference will be given to more developed community foundations (i.e. with an established board, a track record in grantmaking and local resource mobilization) rather than to start-ups. Applicants need not be current GFCF grantees.
What the grant will cover:
Scholarships will cover the costs of flight and visa, as well as hotel accommodation and conference registration.
Who should apply:
Staff and board members from established community foundations. One application per organization only.
How to apply:
Please contact the Programme Manager, Vadim Samorodov for an application form.
When to apply:
Applications should be submitted by July 11th, 2008
Incubation process update
For the last 10 months, the GFCF has been engaged in a series of consultation activities aimed at mapping out its future direction when the three-year pilot phase of funding from the World Bank, Ford Foundation and Charles Stewart Mott Foundation comes to and end. Activities (some of which are ongoing) have included an online survey, individual interviews, national consultations led by local partners, and a variety of convenings – in Belgium, Washington D.C., and Naivaisha, Kenya.
Click here to read a report on some of the main findings of the consultation.
The Global Fund for Community Foundations
Evaluation Report Executive Summary
An Executive Summary of the Global Fund for Community Foundations Interim Evaluation Report, conducted by FERA (Formative Evaluation Research Associates) is now available for download. The report covers the period January 2006 - October 2007. For a full version of the report, please contact the GFCF at info@wings-globalfund.org
Recent Grants
The Global Fund for Community Foundations is pleased to announce the results of its latest round of grants, our fifth round to date. Grantees include a community foundation initiative in Nigeria’s oil rich and conflict-ridden Niger Delta, Romania’s first two community foundations, a local community-based environmental fund in Baja California, Mexico and an emerging community foundation in Russia’s remote Far East region. For a full list of grants click here.
Next Deadline for Global Fund for Community Foundations grant applications:
Letters of intent for the next round of grants should be sent to the GFCF by the 20th of September. More
What future for the GFCF?
The Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF) is beginning to map its future as an independent entity by conducting a detailed feasibility study. This consultative process, which will take place over the next 12 months, will lead to the emergence of a clear strategy and direction for the Fund as it moves from an “interim” to a permanent stage in its development.
A key component of this process will be that of consultation to ensure that a diverse range of people connected with community foundations, philanthropy and community development have the opportunity to engage in serious discussion about the future of the GFCF. In the coming months, the GFCF will be seeking to work with partners in its target regions to facilitate local, national and regional consultation processes in the Global South and other regions in which community foundations and philanthropy are developing.
Overview of GFCF activities
An overview of the GFCF's first year of operations is now available in downloadable form on its website at www.wingsweb.org/programmes/gfcf.cfm. The document includes information on the GFCF's background, case studies of grantees and details of funders and grants made.
The Global Fund for Community Foundations - An Overview 2006-2007
