commons.ca - for funders

Commons has a strong track record providing research and support to help grantmakers make good decisions, especially around technology related projects and programs. We also help grantmakers with the development and nurturing of collaboratives amongst civil society organizations.

Effective grantmakers provide more than just funding – they also connect the dots, make strategic interventions, build civil society capacity and struggle to get organizations to see opportunities for connection and collaboration.

Open Sourcing Education
This paper provides an overview of the current landscape in open education, and outlines challenges and opportunities for the future. It is based on discussions during the iSummit 2007 open education track, which took place in Dubrovnik in June 2007. Article » Download 145k PDF

Program Design and Grant Review - Ontario Ministry of Citizenship (V@O)
Provided senior program planning and evaluation advice to the director of Volunteer @ction Online, an $11.5 million funding pool supporting non-profit Internet projects. Also, provided pre-approval sustainability and technology review for all proposals being considered by the program, and worked directly with potential grantees to improve their proposals in these areas. Project

From Access to Applications - Ontario Ministry of Citizenship (V@O)
A report reviewing the use of the Internet by voluntary and non-profit organizations. Includes detailed reviews of Internet services and grants available to Ontario non-profits as well as recommendations on building better technology support for voluntary organizations. Project

Program Design - Industry Canada - VolNet
Program and application process design for a grant program providing Internet connectivity and training for non-profits. Project

We provide a variety of services to funding organizations:

Collaboration design and troubleshooting: Facilitating and supporting partnerships amongst a community of grantees is delicate work. Working with grantmakers, we use facilitation and dialogue to help organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration and to get struggling partnerships back on track.

Technology grantmaking support: The Internet has become an essential tool for civil society work, especially at the global level. We have a strong track record working with grantmakers on technology funding program design and the review of technology project proposals.

Practical research: Funding needs to be informed by solid information. We undertake research projects that provide insight into the needs, practices and trends, especially in relation to the use of networked technologies by non-profits.

Case studies and storytelling: Unique, world changing approaches only travel if their story is told. We have a passion for writing case studies and other materials that illustrate the work of organizations in a useful and replicable way, especially where organizations are using technology or networks to change the world.