We do this work because we believe effective donors can profoundly contribute to creating a better and more just world. Foundations can take on pressing challenges that other actors in society cannot, or will not. Given this unique opportunity, foundations have a moral imperative to maximize their effectiveness. Living up to that imperative requires foundations to assess their performance, gathering the relevant data to fuel continuous improvement. For more than a decade, CEP has led the movement to improve philanthropy through a powerful combination of dispassionate analysis and a passionate commitment to improving lives. Today, more than 300 foundations have used CEP’s assessment tools to gather honest feedback from their stakeholders in an effort to learn how to be even more effective. CEOs and trustees have come to rely on our research for insights into foundation effectiveness on a wide range of topics, from assessing performance to developing strategy to managing stakeholder relationships. Our highly regarded programming—including our biennial conference—gives foundation leaders an exclusive and unprecedented opportunity to connect with their peers. CEP is funded through a mix of earned revenue and foundation grants. We have offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and San Francisco, California.
