Every community faces complex social challenges. Community-based philanthropists are uniquely positioned to be effective change agents through catalytic leadership, creative and data-driven problem-solving, coordinated action, and sustained commitment.

Using knowledge of the community, its leaders, and its unique values, community-based funders are positioned to support innovative problem solving in a variety of ways: by convening leaders, sharing knowledge, advocating for select issues, building the capacity of the community’s nonprofits, promoting philanthropy and supporting greater collaboration within the community.

ISSUE AREAS
FSG’s advisory work encompasses a range of topics and approaches for achieving increased social impact, resulting in the development of a balanced portfolio for different community priorities. Issues we commonly address include community economic development, education, health and human services, housing and homelessness, leadership development, and nonprofit capacity building.

EXPERTISE
Our advisory services encompass strategy and implementation, evaluation, and organizational alignment. We work collaboratively with our clients to develop customized solutions specific to the most pressing challenges of their communities.

FSG offers community-based philanthropists advice and resources in the following areas:

• Vision for Leadership: New models for leaders in community-based philanthropy
• Strategies for Philanthropic Effectiveness: Crafting innovative approaches to philanthropy such as effective grantmaking, mission-related investing, mobilizing change, advocacy, knowledge sharing, capacity building, and promoting philanthropy
• Information for Decision Making: Knowledge platform, benchmarking, and interactive planning tools from Community Foundation Insights (CF Insights), a division of FSG, helping community foundations operate more effectively