Philanthropy Basics

Inspired Philanthropy: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Giving Plan, by Tracey Gary and Melissa Kohner. Jossey-Bass; 2nd edition, 2002. Gary and Kohner show how families who give together can magnify, exponentially, the diverse benefits of philanthropy.

Grantmaking Basics:
A Field Guide for Funders, by Barbara Kibbe, Fred Setterberg and Colburn S. Wilbur. Council on Foundations, 1999. Written by professionals, for professionals, this authoritative guide addresses how to review proposals and work with prospective grantees.

Giving Together: A Primer for Family Philanthropy, by Ellen Remmer and Amy Zell Ellsworth. The Philanthropic Initiative, 2005. A guide for answering the questions that are common to family giving experiences.

Personal Strategy: Mobilizing Your Self for Effective Grant Making, by Grantcraft.org

Tools for Good:
A Guide to Vehicles for Philanthropy and Charitable Giving, by Stephen P. Johnson, Paula D. Johnson. Detailed paper objectively describes the range of options for philanthropic giving.

Beyond Duty and Obligation,
by Sharna Goldseeker. Foundation News and Commentary. January/February 2006. Thoughtful article about taking a multigenerational approach to philanthropy.

Philanthropic Comparison Shopping, by L. Bernholz. Paper prepared for The Council on Foundations' Series on Emerging Issues in Philanthropy (October 2001). Objectively describes the range of options for philanthropic giving.