The Aspen
Institute's Community Foundation Survey
Groeneman Research & Consulting assisted
the Aspen Institute's Community Strategies Group (www.aspeninstitute.org) with a
survey of all (approximately 650) community
foundations in the United States to learn about their
coverage in rural areas and about trends in the
formation of “affiliates,” sometimes called geographic
component funds. These are separate funds and funding
mechanisms set up within community foundations to
serve targeted regions within their service area.
While the formation of afffiliates is a major trend in
public philanthropy, prior to this survey there was
very little information available about them, and no
“road maps” showing how foundations establish,
organize and sustain such funds. In addition to
filling in these gaps, Aspen's survey also provides
information on the number and growth of geographic
component funds, their asset base, how and why
foundations establish them, how they are organized and
staffed, whether they serve mainly rural or urban
areas, and how the funds affect the culture of
philanthropy in their communities.
Aspen's survey was conducted in the Summer of 2004 via the
Internet by directing foundation representatives to a
secure web site to complete the questionnaire. GR&C
assisted Aspen in this study by reviewing the survey
instrument, recruiting a research analyst to help prepare
the initial and final reports, consulting on various
aspects of the data analysis, overseeing report preparation
and providing overall quality assurance.
