Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy at Grand Valley State University
Abstract
LearnPhilanthropy is bringing together the wealth of research, resources and ideas on good practice from sources across the sector: Imagine a farmer's market providing fresh products from a variety of producers, all in one place, as well as a gathering place where practitioners of all kinds can come together to exchange "recipes" and learning perspectives. A general purpose taxonomy is needed to help make these resources more widely accessible. Yet we've found that a general-purpose taxonomy on grantmaker learning just plain doesn't exist. Our research to date -- conducted in partnership with our Planning Committee, Content Partners, workgroup members and others in the field -- has turned up taxonomies mostly for specific audiences or grantmaker types.For this reason, LearnPhilanthropy developed a general-purpose taxonomy, with an iterative and highly collaborative approach -- more user-generated folksonomy than the traditionally hierarchical taxonomy -- and broad review at each iteration stage. We see this Real Simple Taxonomy as a living document, and encourage ongoing co-creation and co-ownership within the LearnPhilanthropy community
