Transparent

Openness drives mission. Social change organizations that operate transparently build trust with their stakeholders, which helps advance their mission.

Consider the personal qualities that distinguish a trustworthy friend from one who is less reliable. People we trust are more honest, modest, forthcoming, and willing to discuss difficult topics, including their own mistakes and shortcomings.

So, too, with foundations and nonprofits. When you are truly open about governance, finances, investments, HR policies, partnerships, your grantmaking processes and programmatic performance, you help grow a culture of trust and transparency. And that, in turn, helps you achieve your goals.

According to the Glasspockets.org, a Foundation Center initiative and Communication Network partner that champions philanthropic openness in an online world, transparency:

Strengthens credibility
Increases public trust
Improves relationships with constituencies and regions served
Reduces duplication of effort among organizations who care about the same issues
Facilitates greater collaboration and collective problem solving
Cultivates a community of shared learning and best practices

by the numbers

24%

Percentage of respondents from private foundations who agreed that their organization should “stay under the radar.”
SURVEY

18

Number of foundations who have joined Foundation Center’s Reporting Commitment.
SURVEY

74%

Percentage of respondents to a Grantcraft survey who say they have perceived an increased demand for funder transparency over the past 5 years.
SOURCE

30+

Number of foundations who have made their Grantee Perceptions Reports public as an act of transparency.
SOURCE

tips and insights

Leaders at private foundations were more likely to agree that their organization should stay “under the radar.” Almost no one from nonprofits or community foundations agreed with this.
SURVEY

Leaders at private foundations were more likely to cite “a desire to remain humble or quiet” as a barrier to communication than leaders at nonprofits or community foundations.
SURVEY

Accurate and accessible information is critical to effective collaboration and strategic decision making (The Reporting Commitment, Foundation Center).
SOURCE

Voices

Foundations need to share their information more easily and freely. It also helps if they pay for general funds for the communication needs of grantees and budget communication into their programs.

PROGRAM LEADER Nonprofit

It’s important to distinguish between strategic communication and PR. Some communication really can advance a cause and some is more focused on recognition. Foundations are often not very good at being honest about the difference.

PROGRAM LEADER Private Foundation

With public funds, the public has the right to know what the organization is doing with those funds.

EXECUTIVE LEADER Nonprofit

Exemplars

exemplar

Connecticut Health Foundation

Jenn Whinnem

An entire section of the Connecticut Health Foundation’s website is dedicated to making their theory of change, strategic plan, and information about changes in priorities available.

exemplar

John A. Hartford Foundation

Marcus Escobedo

When the John A. Hartford Foundation embarked on a recent shift in strategic direction, they were transparent about it in a series of posts on their blog, Health AGEnda.

exemplar

Open Data Webinar

Communications Network

This webinar, featuring Amy Ngai and Gabriela Schneider of the Sunlight Foundation, explores the definition and ramifications of open data with a focus on accessing public information on federal and state levels.

exemplar

GlassPockets

A service of the Foundation Center

Glasspockets is a Foundation Center initiative that champions philanthropic transparency in an online world. Launched in 2010, it provides the data, resources, examples, and action steps foundations need to understand the value of transparency, be more open in their own communications, and help shed more light on how private organizations are serving the public good.