Many Foundations at some point confront the question of what to leave behind and may choose to establish an archive. Some perpetual foundations have created archives that are continually updated, and the decision to archive has long been a consideration for foundations choosing limited life.
In this collection of reports and articles, professionals from across the field of philanthropy discuss the purpose of foundation archives, their various contents and uses, archival trends in the philanthropic sector, and approaches to the archival process.
Foundation Archives: Perspectives and Practices
How Your Foundation’s Records Can Measure Impact, Manage Risk, and Promote Transparency
Blog Post
Your foundation’s information is an asset and managing that information with record and knowledge management—and perhaps an archives program—can help you preserve your family’s legacy, ensure that you’re complying with legal requirements, make your impact clearer, and help you live into values like accountability and transparency. While foundations have different…
The Archives of U.S. Foundations: An Endangered Species
Report
Using data collected on the 300 largest U.S. foundations through a survey commissioned by The Commonwealth Fund in fall 2012, this report discusses the status of archiving in the foundation sector and recommends ways to improve policies and practices in an area that is often overlooked.
