Foundations provide grants to nonprofit organizations in our communities, who then provide services locally. Choosing which nonprofit to fund, and which not to fund is difficult. This study examines current uses and upcoming uses of mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as part of funding decisions made by foundations. Foundations engaged in strategic funding, especially that which targets specific populations are more likely to use GIS and geospatial analysis in funding decisions. Grantmaking in response to proposals requires less strategic analysis and calls for mapping much less by comparison. As a field, nationally foundations and nonprofits have identified many uses for mapping, spatial analysis and data collaboration. Several overarching challenges to such analysis and collaboration are identified and reviewed. Results of this study indicate the circumstances which may affect foundations decisions to use mapping and spatial analysis. Using mapping for strategic grantmaking is identified as an opportunity for more informed funding decisions
