Grantmakers Information Technology Survey Report 

IV. Snapshots by Foundation Type 

D. Independent Foundations Snapshot 

Percentage of  

Role of IT Staff (n = 53) 

Responses 

Network Administration 

 92 % 

Telephone Systems 

 64 % 

Research New Technologies 

 72 % 

Participate in Organizational Strategic Planning 

 57 % 

Provide Strategic Technical Assistance & Advice to Grantees  19 % 

Recommend Solutions to Grantees 

 15 % 

Review Technology Grant Applications 

 25 % 

Share Knowledge with IT Staff in Other Organizations 

 38 % 

The majority (57%) of independent foundations do not have any in house technology 

staff. Consistent with corporate foundations, independent foundations reported greater 

numbers of IT staff than community and family foundations, with 43 percent of 

independent foundations reporting they have at least one part time IT staff member. 

Independent foundations also reported the largest numbers of in house staff, with 5 

percent reporting 3 to 5 IT staff members and 10 percent reporting they have 6 or more 

IT staff members.  

Among those with IT staff, nearly half have a ratio of total staff to IT staff of 15 or fewer 

to 1 (47%) and another 28 percent have a ratio of 16 24 total staff to 1 IT professional. 

Number of IT staff (n = 84)

 46