Regional associations of grantmakers - with various names, but known in the field as RAGs - are nonprofit membership associations of foundations and related organizations that share a common goal: to strengthen philanthropy in a distinct geographic region - be it a city, state or multi-state area.

RAG members include private or independent foundations, community foundations and corporate foundations and giving programs. In addition, some RAGs include in their membership other related organizations, such as financial advisor firms or nonprofit grantseeking groups. The number of members and even types of eligible members vary.

RAGs have been set up by their members to provide a variety of services to grantmakers and the public alike. No single description fits all - or even most - RAGs. How a RAG develops depends on its leadership, the public context in which it operates, its audiences, the philanthropy in its area of service, and most of all its member grantmakers.

Key services common to most RAGs:

• fostering communication and information-sharing among members.
  
• increasing the professional skills and knowledge of grantmakers.
  alerting members to community needs and emerging issues in philanthropy.
  
• enhancing the effectiveness of members' decision-making, and their use of philanthropic resources.
  encouraging the development of new philanthropy.
  
• promoting sound public policy on issues affecting philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.
  
• improving grantmaker-grantseeker cooperation and communication.
  initiating, leading and facilitating collaborations and new approaches to solving community problems.

Source: RAG Web site.
For more information, contact www.rag.org/