Grantmakers Information Technology Survey Report 

IV. Snapshots by Foundation Type 

D. Independent Foundations Snapshot 

There were 85 independent foundations in this snapshot. For purposes of reporting the 

results, we have combined operating foundations (2) with independent foundations (83) 

(Table A 1). 

Slightly more than one third (35%) of independent foundations have in house part time 

or full time technical staff. This percentage is consistent with corporate foundations and 

considerably higher than that of community and family foundations. For the remaining 65 

percent of independent foundations without in house technical staff, the responsibility for 

technology lies primarily with the finance/administrative staff (33%) (Table A 2).  

Person Responsible for IT (n = 84) *

1   In house technical staff (full or part time) 

2   Finance/administrative staff 

3   Executive director/CEO 

4   Consultants 

6   Other 

* n = number of respondents 

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

administration. A majority (57% to 64%) of the independent 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. Several independent foundations also reported IT staff is 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. More technology staff in independent and family foundations 

reported having broader responsibilities than their counterparts in community and 

corporate foundations.  

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