Philanthropy Front and Center-Cleveland

This Week at the Foundation Center (August 16 - 20)

Tuesday, August 17:
Fundraising in a Challenging Economy, 7:00 - 8:30pm
in Independence, OH.
Come to this special evening class at our Cooperating Collection at the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Independence and get a basic overview of what you can do to survive, thrive, and succeed in sustaining your nonprofit during these tough economic times. 

Thursday, August 19:
Introduction to Corporate Giving, 10:00 - 11:00am
Join us for a one-hour introduction to the world of corporate support for nonprofits and to the effective utilization of the Foundation Center's print and electronic resources on corporate giving. 

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

News Roundup: The Cleveland Foundation, Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations, i3 Grants

President and CEO of The Cleveland Foundation Ronald B. Richard was named one of Nonprofit Times' Power & Influence Top 50 [PDF] class of 2010. Nonprofit Times says, "just because he worked for the CIA doesn’t mean everything he does is a conspiracy, as bloggers claim. His experience in bio-tech and international relations is pulling together government, nonprofit and for-profit leaders. As the state’s volunteer “infrastructure czar,” and with the foundation’s cash, he has regional and national clout." Congratulations Mr. Richard and The Cleveland Foundation!

Beginning in August, 2010, the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations will join with and become part of the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Dean of Weatherhead, Mohan Reddy, will assume direct oversight of the administration of the Mandel Center, its education, research, and other programs.

Reading Recovery, a sponsored program of Ohio State University was awarded a "scaling up" award of nearly $50 million from the Investing in Innovation (i3) program of the U.S. Department of Education. They were one of 49 finalist-applicants out of a field of nearly 1,700 that applied. Winning applicants must secure a commitment for a 20 percent private sector match by Sept. 8, 2010. These applicants can take advantage of tools such as the Open Innovation Portal and the Foundation Registry i3 to connect with a wide variety of potential funders.

This Week at the Foundation Center (August 9 -13)

Wednesday, August 11
Before You Seek a Grant, 6:00 - 7:30pm
For new nonprofits or those in the process of becoming nonprofits, this free session will provide you with a step-by-step checklist approach to help you determine your readiness for foundation fundraising.

 

Thursday, August 12
Proposal Writing Basics, 10:00 -11:30am
Come learn the process for writing a grant proposal to a foundation or corporation.

 

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

News Roundup: The Columbus Foundation, Toledo Community Foundation, Saint Luke's Foundation

The New York Times ran an article (July 30, 2010) about the work of a Columbus task force made up of civic leaders including Douglas Kridler, president and CEO of the Columbus Foundation. The task force is charged with rebranding Columbus to better represent that it's the home of youthful and diverse knowledge-workers who are open to new ideas, according to Paul Astleford, director of Experience Columbus, who also says, "That has not been the tradition in the Midwest." Careful to differentiate Columbus from Ohio's "Rust Belt" image, one person's tongue-in-cheek slogan suggestion was, "Columbus: We Are So Not Ohio." More seriously, with slogans like "Discover Columbus" and "Surprise, It's Columbus" having fizzled, it's back to the drawing board. “No consistent image or qualities come to mind when people think about Columbus, lamented Kridler. The city must develop a messaging mooring-post that different groups can use to describe our authentic strengths." The developing slogan is under tight wraps, and will be revealed sometime next year.

The Andersons Fund Supporting Organization of Toledo Community Foundation announced(July 19, 2010) grants totaling $196,644 to 13 area nonprofit organizations. Grants from the Andersons Fund Supporting Organization are considered once a year, and are awarded only to nonprofit, charitable organizations. Grants support organizations with programs in the areas of education, social services, physical and mental health, neighborhood and urban affairs, natural resources, and the arts. Priority consideration is given to requests related to capital projects. The deadline for receipt of proposals in the Foundation office is April 15th. Grants included awards to Beach House Family Shelter ($10,000) for the Tools of the Trade project; Neighborhood Properties, Inc. ($15,000) to rehabilitate apartment units; and Toledo Cultural Arts Center at the Valentine Theatre ($25,000) to support renovations and upgrades to Studio A.

Saint Luke's Foundation announced [PDF] (July 27, 2010) the appointment of its first Community Health Fellow. This fellowship is an evolution of Saint Luke’s Foundation’s Francis H. Beam, Jr. Fellowship. The Case Western Reserve University Center for Reducing Health Disparities at MetroHealth Hospital, with funding support from the Saint Luke’s Foundation, has recruited Vedette Gavin, M.P.H., who will work at the Buckeye Area Development Corporation in the Buckeye/Woodland Hills/Larchmere community to facilitate collaborative, neighborhood specific planning and action around healthy community lifestyles. The Saint Luke’s Foundation has invested over $13 million in the Buckeye/Larchmere/Woodland Hills neighborhoods through several synergistic initiatives intended to reduce health disparities, revitalize urban neighborhoods, and positively impact the health and well-being of residents. Engagement of the Community Health Fellow will create a linked network of people and organizations focused on improving coordination among programs, and adapting projects to increase impact, penetration and sustainability of these initiatives.