Who Has Glass Pockets?

How Foundations Are Using the Internet to
Demonstrate Transparency and Accountability

Given that foundation web sites have the power to provide all of us with more foundation information than ever before, and serve a critical role in furthering foundation transparency, we are reviewing the web sites of the largest foundations to reveal their current online transparency and accountability practices.

The "Who Has Glass Pockets" lists, which we will be adding to each month, will serve two purposes:

1. provide an easy way for foundations to see what their peers are doing in terms of online information disclosure,
2. provide a knowledge management function since each magnifying glass icon takes the viewer directly to the relevant page on the foundation’s web site.

Much of the information on the "Who Has Glass Pockets" template is similar in nature to what grantees are often asked to provide in a grant application process either at the start or end of a grant. Some of it is similar in nature to what charities that file a 990 are now being asked to provide to the IRS with its new expanded 990 form. The IRS has not yet made similar changes to the 990-PF. Learn more about our "Who Has Glass Pockets?" Indicators.

In an era of fiscal restraint and increasing pressure on public spending, it is safe to assume that far more will be expected of foundations. Now, more than ever, foundations will need to actively promote and communicate their efforts to use private wealth for the public good among policymakers and practitioners, the media, and a new generation increasingly engaged with the social sector.