A recently released National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) study found that foundations are giving more to nonprofits that support individuals in need. The Philanthropic Landscape: The State of Giving to Underserved Communities report looked at dollar allocation from over 900 large U.S. grantmakers and found that social justice programs received more than 25 percent of their total giving.

In fact, grants to underserved communities jumped 11 percent during the period between 2008 and 2010, the study found. Giving to those in need now represents 31 percent of total raw dollars allocated. However, these trends did not necessarily apply to other philanthropic organizations. Southern charitable groups and community foundations did not demonstrate the uplift in contributions to disadvantaged women and the poor.

"We're seeing slow but steady progress in a positive direction," said Aaron Dorfman, executive director of NCRP. "Our nation's grantmaking foundations may be realizing that they can achieve their missions more effectively and also serve the common good by prioritizing and empowering those with the least wealth, opportunity and power."

Foundations and organizations that provide annual funding might benefit from nonprofit accounting software, which can help board members audit funds and make sure the correct amounts are being distributed to various programs each year.