Foundation Scorecard
05/14/08 11:07 AM

Hi, I attended the Council on Foundations Leadership Summit in Washington, DC last week. It was a great event, and I saw the Ascendant Booth. We've been talking about the Balanced Scorecard and performance measures. I was wondering if other foundations are using the BSC, and whether there is any published materials on the topic.

Thanks,

Jeanne

RE: Foundation Scorecard
05/30/08 9:23 AM

Jeanne,

I was also at the conference, and I listened to the Center for Effective Philanthropy speak about their most recent study, Beyond the Rhetoric. They identified 4 types of foundations-from charitable banker to strategy focused.

I'm not sure how many foundations are using the BSC, but there are certainly an increasing number of them that are strategy focused and looking for measurable results. Learn more at www.effectiephilanthropy.org.

Also, Paul Brest, president of the Hewlett Foundation spoke at the event about strategy focus, cause and effect linkages, and measuring results. It would be great to see more examples of foundations following their lead.

-Ted

RE: Foundation Scorecard
08/25/08 9:57 AM

I've seen a disconnect between foundations using the scorecard and foundations getting their grantees to use the scorecard. What I mean is that some foundations focus their grantees on impact management and outcomes management (many times with the scorecard), but they do not use any system themselves to manage their grantmaking process. Other times, foundations use a performance measurement system for themselves, but they do not have any formal requirements for their grantees.