The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers is the largest network serving philanthropy in America. The Forum network is comprised of 55 philanthropy associations and networks across the United States, including 35 regional philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs) and 20 national PSOs—such as national issue-based, identity-based and practice-based affinity groups. Our members represent more than 7,000 primarily philanthropic organizations, making us the largest network serving philanthropy in America. With deep regional roots and a broad nationwide reach, the Forum facilitates effective philanthropy to strengthen communities and improve lives throughout the United States. Given our network's scale and scope, we can lead change and improve practice in philanthropy in a deeper and broader way than any other organization can.
The Forum is in the process of implementing a new vision to be the place where philanthropy’s infrastructure comes together. We intend to broaden our network to bring together PSOs' deep regional roots and connections with national PSOs' deep content knowledge and reach. We envision being the nexus for regional and national philanthropy. We imagine creating an expanded network that will be an increasingly efficient “one stop shop” for philanthropies to find and engage others with similar interests, share knowledge, leverage resources and advance policy.
National PSOs have deep content knowledge in their specific areas of expertise, whether it is knowledge of a particular funding issue, population group or philanthropic practice, and regional associations have deep knowledge and connections in their regions. Under the Forum’s new vision, we will bring the two together in a much more comprehensive and systematic way than what is occurring today. We believe this will reduce duplication and increase collaboration in philanthropy’s infrastructure, and will greatly enhance how regional and national PSOs work together to support, inform and advance the philanthropy sector.
The Forum is supported by dues and additional financial support from our members; earned income; and general grant support from The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Trustees' Philanthropy Fund of Fidelity Charitable, the Ford Foundation, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Newman's Own Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Currently we are also receiving project support from The Joyce Foundation and the Fund for Shared Insight.
