Philanthropy Front and Center-Cleveland

National Teleconference

Turning Crisis Into Opportunity:
A Conversation With Two Nonprofit Sector Leaders
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
2:00 – 3:00 pm Eastern Time

    

Please join us as Bradford K. Smith, president of the Foundation Center, and Robert G. Ottenhoff, president and chief executive officer of GuideStar, jointly address one of the most critical issues in the nonprofit sector today: the impact of the economic crisis on nonprofit organizations and on the foundations that support their work. Katherina Rosqueta, founding executive director of the Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy & Practice, will moderate the discussion.

In an unprecedented event that brings together the presidents of these organizations for the first time, the two nonprofit sector thought leaders will focus on how nonprofits are weathering the economic storm, how foundations are responding to support the sector, and the challenges, strategies, and opportunities for both going forward. Among the questions that will be addressed:

• How are foundations and nonprofits responding to the crisis?
• Is the federal stimulus funding having an impact?
• Are there too many nonprofit organizations? If so, what is the solution?
• How can organizations best prepare to weather a prolonged recession or react to a turnaround?
• Will new ways of operating—a "new normal"—take hold as an outgrowth of the recession?

The discussion will be framed by recent survey findings published by the two organizations: the Foundation Center's Foundations Address the Impact of the Economic Crisis and GuideStar's The Effect of the Economy on the Nonprofit Sector. Both organizations have also produced updates on these reports to shed further light on the unfolding impact of the crisis.

The teleconference is free but pre-registration is required by July 17. Registrants may submit questions for the speakers in advance via e-mail. We hope you will join us for this important event.
Register >>>

Free Shipping in July on New Study on Women's Funds

Order your copy of our new report, Accelerating Change for Women and Girls: The Role of Women's Funds, and get free shipping throughout July.

Philanthropy by and for women has increased dramatically since the 1970s, calling attention to critical, previously-hidden issues such as human trafficking and domestic violence. Published in partnership with the Women's Funding Network, this report examines patterns of giving by women's funds and their role in spearheading social change.

Read highlights [PDF] of the study's findings at our web site and visit our Marketplace to purchase the full report ($19.95). Buy now >>

This Week at the Foundation Center (July 6 - 10)

Classes:

Tuesday, July 7:

• Proposal Writing Basics, 10:00 - 11:30 am.
  Learn about the basics of writing a proposal for your nonprofit organization.
• Proposal Budgeting Basics, 1:00 - 2:00 pm.
  Learn about the essentials of budget preparation and presentation in a grant proposal, including compiling both expense and income elements.

Wednesday, July 8:

• How to Approach a Foundation, 10:00-11:30 am, at the Foundation Center's Cooperating Collection at the St. Louis Public Library in St.Louis, MO.
  Learn how to initiate contact with potential funders, planning calls and meetings, and building partnerships with donors. To register, email: kparks@slpl.org.
• Grantseeking Basics with a special introduction to the Foundation Directory Online, 5:30 - 7:30 pm. 
  Learn how the Center's resources can help you become a more effective grantseeker! For beginners, this introduction to the library provides instruction in foundation research and identification of potential funders. The formal presentation is followed by a tour of the Foundation Center-Cleveland's library.   
• Grantseeking Basics, 6:00 - 7:00 pm, at the Foundation Center's Cooperating Collection at the Carbondale Public Library in Carbondale, IL.
  Learn how the Center's resources can help you become a more effective grantseeker. For beginners, this introduction to the library provides instruction in foundation research and identification of potential funders.

Library Hours:
Monday: 12:00 - 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 12:00 - 8:00 pm EVENING HOURS!
Thursday: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: 12:00 - 8:00 pm

News Round Up: Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley, Kresge Foundation, Fund for Our Economic Future

The Business Journal Daily reports (July 1, 2009) that the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley (OH) has met the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations [PDF] approved by the Council on Foundations and adopted by the community foundation field in late 2000.  

“This is critically important to our donors," says Patricia Brozik, president of the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley. "When people make a charitable bequest, establish a fund or set up an annuity, they are putting their trust in us. They are counting on us to manage the investment wisely, honor their charitable wishes and, in some cases, provide lifetime income to a loved one. The National Standards confirmation says our house is in order.”

Crain's Cleveland Business reports (July 2, 2009) that MetroHealth has met the fundraising challenge[PDF] issued by the Kresge Foundation and has been awarded $1 million to complete its Senior Health & Wellness Center at MetroHealth's Brooklyn Campus.

Fund for Our Economic Future announced (June 9, 2009) that it will continue its collaboration to support regional economic competitiveness into a third phase to start in February 2010 and end in February 2013. Fund Chairman David Abbott, also executive director of the George Gund Foundation,acknowledged that because of the global financial crisis, the Fund anticipates having fewer resources in the next three years than were available during each of its first two phases.

This Week at the Foundation Center (June 29 - July 3)

Monday, June 29:

Introduction to Foundation Directory Online with a special Dialogue with Donors in Education, Columbus, OH, 1:00-3:00pm.
Join us for an introduction ofThe Foundation Directory Online Professional and a conversation with two regional funders of education programs, Sidney R. Hargro, Senior Officer, Strategy & Organizational Learning, The Columbus Foundation and Marlene A. Casini, President & CEO, Community Foundation of Delaware County.

Webinar: Foundation Funding Trends in Higher Education.
This overview will cover what foundations throughout the country are doing to address the recession and how colleges and universities can best work with economic recovery efforts underway in their communities, 3:00 - 4:00 pm.  

Resource Market: Tackling Tough Times Columbus, OH, 4:30-7:00pm.
A selected group of Central Ohio nonprofits and businesses will share information about their services for nonprofits in a fun, trade fair atmosphere.

Tuesday, June 30:

Finding Foundation Support for Your Education with an Introduction to ScholarLink Columbus, OH, 10:00-11:00am.
Join us for the Foundation Center's class on obtaining financial aid for your studies. Diane Higginbotham, Scholarship Manager for The Columbus Foundation will discuss and demonstrate ScholarLink, the Columbus Foundation's free scholarship search database.

Wednesday, July 1:

Grantseeking Basics with a special introduction to Foundation Directory Online, 5:30-7:30pm.
This introduction to grantseeking provides and introduction to the Foundation Center along with instruction in foundation research and identification of potential funders.

Library Hours:
Monday: 12:00 - 4:30 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 12:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: LIBRARY CLOSED for Independence Day holiday