Annual Survey Reports Growth and Recovery for Community Foundations
The Columbus Survey, an annual report on the assets, donor gifts and grantmaking of American community foundations, finds that 2010 was a year of growth and recovery in the field. Guideposts Point to Growth, produced by the Council on Foundations and CF Insights, presents data collected from over 250 community foundations. While the data presents an optimistic outlook for the future of community philanthropy - assets, donations and grants awarded increased for all community foundations reporting in 2010 - over half of respondents reported that their assets had not recovered to the pre-recession highs of 2007.

SECF Members Respond to the Economic Crisis
A compilation of responses from more than 250 foundation representatives surveyed at our annual meeting.

A First Look at the Foundation and Corporate Response to the Economic Crisis
This report from the Foundation Center examines giving by close to 50 institutional donors that have already announced over $100 million in grants and program-related investments (PRIs) for efforts to address the impact of the recession.

Responding in Crisis: An Early Analysis of Foundations' Grantmaking During the Economic Crisis
This study by the Philanthropic Collaborative focuses on the foundation community’s response to the economic crisis and compares the private-sector response to that of federal government.

Smarter Grantmaking in Challenging Economic Times
This report from Grantmakers for Effective Organizations makes recommendations for foundations that are funding in the economic downturn.

Focus on the Economic Crisis
The Foundation Center's online collection of data and resources on the economic crisis and its impact on philanthropy.

Constituency-Based Responses

Corporate Donors Adjust to Economic Slump
The Philanthropy Journal offers a nonprofit perspective on the affects the current economy will have on corporate giving.

Families Step Up: Strategies for Responding to Economic Crisis
This paper from the National Center for Family Philanthropy outlines steps family foundations are taking to deal with the current economy.

Taking Informed Action in Challenging Times
This report details issues that community foundations are facing as a result of the economic downturn, including budget cuts, sources of alternative revenue and shifts in grantmaking and community leadership approaches.

Historical Perspectives

Giving in Recessions and Economic Slowdowns
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University analyzes four decades in their report on how recessions and economic slowdowns affect giving.

Past Economic Downturns and Outlook for Foundation Giving
The Foundation Center's PhilanTopic blog evaluates past trends in giving during previous recessions.