Grantmakers Information Technology Survey Report 

IV. Snapshots by Foundation Type 

Similar to foundation snapshots by size, there are differences among the foundation 

snapshots by foundation type. In general, independent and corporate foundations are 

ahead of community and family foundations with respect to technology planning, staffing 

and spending. 

A. Community Foundations Snapshot 

There were 141 foundations in this snapshot. For purposes of reporting the results, we 

have combined public foundations (14) with community foundations (127) (Table A 1). 

Most community foundations do not have in house technical support, with only 14 

percent of respondents reporting they have part time or full time in house technical staff 

(Table A 2). The primary responsibility for technology in community foundations rests 

with the finance/administrative staff with 42 percent, followed by the executive 

director/CEO, who is responsible for technology in 22 percent of the foundations 

reporting.   

Person Responsible for IT (n = 140) * 

1   In house technical staff (full or part time) 

2   Finance/administrative staff 

3   Executive director/CEO 

4   Consultants 

5   Volunteers 

6   Other

* n = number of respondents 

The primary role and responsibility of the information technology director was network 

administration. Between 51 percent and 70 percent of the organizations also described the 

role of technology staff in their organization to include responsibility for telephone 

systems, participating in organizational strategic planning and researching new 

technologies. In about 20 percent of community foundations, technology staff is also  

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