Grantmakers Information Technology Survey Report 

IV. Snapshots by Foundation Type 

C. Family Foundations Snapshot 

There were 58 family foundations in this snapshot (Table A 1). 

Most family foundations do not have in house technical support, with only 19 percent 

reporting they had part time or full time in house technical staff. For the foundations 

without in house technical staff, the responsibility for technology is pretty evenly divided 

between finance/administrative staff (26%), the CEO/executive director (24%) and 

consultants, who are the primary parties responsible for the technology systems at 19 

percent of the family foundations (Table A 2). 

Person Responsible for IT (n = 54) * 

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. Many (44% to 60%) of the family foundations also described the role of 

technology staff in their organization to include responsibility for telephone systems, 

participating in organization strategic planning and researching new technologies. In 

about 20 percent to 25 percent of family foundations, IT staff is also responsible for 

providing assistance and advice to grantees, recommending solutions to grantees, 

reviewing technology grant applications and sharing knowledge with technology staff in 

other organizations.  

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