Philanthropy Front and Center-Cleveland

Thoughts from the Civic Leadership Institute 3: Getting the Story Straight

Last week's session of the Civic Leadership Institute not only allowed us to understand collaboration among the big players in civic life, but also brought a communications challenge to life through a rather daunting exercise.

My table-mates and I, all of us being strangers to one another, were given the budget of a city council and told that we *were* that city council, and we had to meet the press in fifteen minutes with a balanced budget, even though it showed a half-million dollar deficit! We quickly learned the benefits of collaboration and teamwork as each person at the table shared his or her expertise to assist the group in coming up with a budget that could work. Even more jarring than crafting a budget on the fly is realizing the need for having skilled spokespeople who can look into the camera, literally and figuratively, and explain budget cuts and changed priorities. The spokesperson must be able to face the criticism of the media and public and be skilled at the artful explanation of news that has a very high likelihood of being interpreted as negative. This exercise was a little scary, even though it was just "pretend."

The rest of the session picked up on the themes of this exercise, featuring a panel with representatives from the world of philanthropy (Deborah Vesy of the Deaconess Community Foundation and Randell McShephard of RPM International Inc.), the government (Chris Warren, Chief of Regional Development from the City of Cleveland), and the media (Bruce Hennes of Hennes and Associates). 

Mary Beth Carroll from FirstEnergy coordinated the discussion in which several of the panelists described the movement of the last seven years towards regional collaboration, highlighting the philanthropic community's growing interest in scalable projects that are helping the region to come together and to thrive, as opposed to individual, discrete projects or programs. They also noted that regionalism (formerly a dirty word in the area) has grown in appeal among government entities and grantmakers. Programs like the Fund for Our Economic Future's Voices and Choices demonstrate an interest in airing the concerns, needs, and ideas of all people within our region in an effort to bring us together.

So, perhaps our attempts at regionalism are beginning to gain traction, but who sets and communicates the agenda? According to Bruce Hennes, it's not the local media. The days are over for the newspaper to set the civic agenda. The media's job is to tell stories, but with limited budgets and staff, organization's cannot wait for the media to discover them. The message was clear: organizations need to focus on getting their own stories out there, to the local newspaper, yes, but also through e-mail, social media, Internet, blogs, and popular radio shows. 

As we learned in our city council exercise, the hardest part in creating meaningful change is "getting your story straight."  Whatever the collaborative effort, it will wither without clear expectations, communications and public awareness, whoever your public might be. 

--Dave Holmes, Regional Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Cleveland

Read my other Civic Leadership Institute posts here and here.

Listen! Rosetta Thurman Discusses Social Media and the Role of Young Nonprofit Leaders

Rosetta Thurman holds multiple titles: director of development and special programs at the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington; publisher, Perspectives from the Pipeline; and principal, Thurman Consulting. In addition, she is rapidly emerging online as a prolific spokesperson for the next generation of nonprofit sector leadership. She sat down with Pat Pasqual, director of the Foundation Center-Washington, for a podcast interview to share her thoughts on social media and the role young nonprofit leaders can play in helping organizations weather the economic storm. Listen!

In addition to finding the Foundation Center's Philanthropy Chat podcasts here, you can also subscribe to them at iTunes or via our feed.

Thoughts from the Civic Leadership Institute 2: The Region's Economy

(This post is from Dave Holmes, regional training coordinator, who is attending the Civic Leadership Institute, a 6-part series of leadership training sessions from Cleveland Leadership Center.)

Trying to wrap your mind around Greater Cleveland's economy is like, well, trying to wrap your arms around an elephant. Not easy. Tasked with introducing attendees to the economy, Bob Jaquay, associate director from the George Gund Foundation, presented a serious discussion, outlining three perspectives he likes to use to get a handle on the elephant that is our region's economy. First, it's important to understand some history and the impact that “disruptive technology” has had on our economic fortunes and the changes it has created. Second, an awareness of how the region’s space is utilized is telling. What is the impact of highways on commuting patterns? What are our visible and invisible regional divisions? And, finally, he offered a view of of our business structure, the clusters of industries and jobs that draw people to the region. As Mr. Jaquay said, seeing the whole is important, even though it’s perhaps easier to describe and explain individual parts of our economy. He stressed that taking that approach is misleading and can lead to a too-narrow view, something we're pretty good at, in my opinion (and something I pointed out in my last post).

As he talked, I found myself thinking about a viral video that’s been making the rounds, purported to be a “hastily made promo" for Cleveland. It’s a short and sloppy look at some of Cleveland’s woes, sung to an obnoxiously bouncy beat, “Here’s the place where there used to be industry. This train is carrying jobs out of Cleveland.” It’s funny, if a little raw. It’s also a textbook example of that too-narrow view, "Cleveland has insurmountable problems. What else can we do but laugh?" It’s too easy to take a quick look at the disparate parts of the elephant, call them strange, have a good laugh, and look away. That too-narrow view is becoming less and less funny, and more and more annoying. And, besides, there's a lot that we can do (and are doing).

Mr. Jaquay’s point is well taken, the too-narrow perspective is not what’s needed to make Cleveland great. We've generated enough data to provide a broader perspective, the Voices and Choices community survey project and the Fund for Our Economic Future’s Dashboard of Economic Indicators, to name a few. Rather than simply detailing his own views of what is needed to boost the region’s economy, Mr. Jaquay offered a challenge to Institute participants to embrace a broader perspective, to see the bigger picture, and to use the information that's available to contribute to real change in our region. 

--Dave Holmes

More Thoughts and Highlights from the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Conference

(This post is from Kari Mirkin, program assistant, Foundation Center-Cleveland, who recently attended the YNPN conference.) 

Last weekend, young nonprofit professionals from across the country (myself included) took a short break from their day jobs to represent their respective cities at the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network(YNPN) annual leaders’ conference in Washington, DC. YNPN is a volunteer-driven, grassroots network of young people involved in the nonprofit sector. Its main objectives include keeping talented professionals in the sector and giving them the tools to build sustainable, well-rounded careers.

In a city crawling with lobbyists, it was no surprise that one of the main themes of the conference was the importance of advocating for the interests of the nonprofit sector and its young leaders through the media and in political arenas. The YNPN national board used this conference as an opportunity to unveil its own plan for rolling out advocacy efforts at both the national and local levels.

You might be asking yourself what these young nonprofit professionals have to offer as advocates for the sector, and the answer goes way beyond a mastery of web-based communications tools. Twitter is just part of the story. YNPN’s greatest asset by far is its members, all 15,000+ of them. Some may happen to publish blogs and listen to or produce podcasts (many may not), but all understand the challenges that nonprofits face when it comes to the current economic climate, the prospect of significantly reduced charitable giving, and the opportunities presented by the current administration’s policies towards volunteerism and philanthropy.

I returned from the conference with many valuable lessons and practical tools for growing and strengthening the Cleveland chapter, and as a member of YNPN Cleveland’s steering committee, I know I can play a critical role in voicing the concerns of young nonprofit professionals in our region while providing them with the resources they need to build long-lasting and effective careers in Cleveland’s nonprofit community.

--Kari Mirkin

See our other YNPN post here.

Thoughts and Highlights from the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network Conference

(This post is from Jimeka Holloway, training coordinator, Foundation Center-Cleveland, who recently attended the 2009 national YNPN conference.)

Last week, I was asked if I knew any next generation “thought leaders” emerging from Northeast Ohio's nonprofit sector, particularly young leaders who embrace and effectively use social media and other technology, and who are not afraid to put their fresh, bold ideas out there for discussion and consideration. As a founding member of the Cleveland chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, I pondered this as I traveled to Washington, DC to attend the 2009 Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) leadership conference. Why don't I know who they are? We need them right now!

The conference was good and conference-goers were generally upbeat, despite the economic doom and gloom all around us. One conference highlight for me was a gathering with representatives from the Chronicle of the Philanthropy to talk about next generation interests and issues. When asked what online resources young nonprofit professionals find helpful in their daily work, the group mentioned Philanthropy News Digest, Cause Planet, All Top, Great Nonprofits, Beth's Blog, Forte Foundation, The Nonprofit Consulting Cafe, Blue Avocado, and Nonprofit Leadership 601. I've been taking the time this week to explore them.  

Overall, I left the conference feeling personally inspired, full of information, and grateful to have had an opportunity to gather with such amazing people. I’m still wondering though, who are the creative, bold, emerging thought leaders making waves in Cleveland's and Northeast Ohio's nonprofit sector? Maybe it's you? How can YNPN Cleveland support them? How can we amplify their voices? I know they're out there!

--Jimeka Holloway

Thoughts From the Civic Leadership Institute: Evolution of our Regional Economy

(This post is from Dave Holmes, regional training coordinator, who is attending the Civic Leadership Institute, a 6-part series of leadership training sessions from Cleveland Leadership Center.)

When I joined a group at a table before the start of the first presentation of the Civic Leadership Institute, the group was already discussing the question: "What do you think the biggest problem facing Cleveland might be?" 

Our group, made up of representatives from many different Cleveland businesses (accountants, investment managers, real estate professionals) and the nonprofit world, talked about the issues that Cleveland faces:  educational challenges, lack of commitment to change, people and businesses lacking a strong investment in the city.

One topic that came from those of us who are transplants to the city is our strong sense that civic pride is missing. Why do Clevelanders feel the need to run the city and themselves down?  There are always news reports about things that don't work in Cleveland.  These reports, opinions, "Monday Moaning," focus on Cleveland's needs, not its assets.

A table-mate from Cincinnati and I (born and raised in Pittsburgh) mentioned that our cities seemed to have the same problems as Cleveland, but a much stronger sense of pride.  "Well, it's the sports teams that really do it," said one of us, laughing.  "That's what Pittsburgh has."  We then started discussing the Cavs, and how real Cleveland pride comes from that giant picture of LeBron James on the side of a building by the Q.

OK, so maybe all we really wanted to do was talk sports, but when Dr. John Grabowski of Case Western Reserve University and the Western Reserve Historical Society began talking, our sports-centered opinions sounded a little more incisive.  Dr. Grabowski provided a quick overview of the history of Cleveland through the eyes of immigrants, and discussed how a lot of the issues that Cleveland faces, the divisions between east and west side, different neighborhoods, and different religions, have their roots in the movement of immigrants who followed jobs or opportunity to Cleveland and into the suburbs. 

He talked about the conflicts and separations among races and ethnicities and also the possibility of change, the possibility of acceptance and celebration of the myriad "communities within a community" in Cleveland. He went on to mention the wonder he felt several years ago when he first saw kids of all races and ethnicities with posters of Michael Jordan on their walls.  This was unthinkable not that many years ago.  A very significant, positive sign.

My table-mates and I looked at each other.  Maybe we weren't so far off?  An uber, winning personality like LeBron James can bring people together, something we are in real need of right now in Cleveland. Certainly, the success of LeBron James and the Cavs is celebrated across and throughout our region. Hardly the whole answer, but a definite asset, and a step in the right, positive direction. 

I'm looking forward to next week!

Civic Leadership Institute

We've begun working with the Cleveland Leadership Center to assist with promoting their new program, Civic Leadership Institute, a six-part series. I am pleased that the Foundation Center-Cleveland's regional training coordinator, David Holmes, will be able to attend.  The Civic Leadership Institute is designed to expose participants, in a short period, to a comprehensive view of our region’s social, economic, business and political issues. Sessions include:

The Evolution of Our Regional Economy, April 15
The Region's Economy, April 30
Understanding the Civic Infrastructure, May 20
The Role of Philanthropy, Government and Media in Civic Life, June 4
The Art of Civic Dialogue, June 25
Civic Engagement, July 15

David will blog here about what he is learning as time permits so that we can learn along with him. 

If you'd like to learn more about the Civic Leadership Institute, including presenter information and additional details, look here.

--Cindy Bailie

Fundraising Executive of the Year and Reflections on Philanthropy from Generation X

I attended the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Cleveland Chapter's annual meeting today where I was elected an officer of the board of the Cleveland chapter, along with several of my nonprofit colleagues. I am now VP for External Relations, and I look forward to serving the fundraising community in that role, in addition to my role as director of the Foundation Center - Cleveland, of course! 

Connie Sipple, president of Profile Solutions, Inc., was awarded the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award at today's meeting, a well-deserved tribute to her enduring dedication to the field, not to mention her service to AFP. Congratulations Connie! 

The keynote address at today's event, Reflections on Philanthropy: Engaging Cleveland's Next Generation of Leaders, was delivered by Sara O'Neill Sullivan, co-founder and managing director of Second Story Productions LLC, affiliate of the William J. and Dorothy K. O'Neill Foundation, and immediate past chair of the board at Center for Families and Children. Sara had some really smart and insightful things to say about how to engage Gen X-ers in the work of the nonprofit sector, based on research (I love well-researched presentations) and her own observations and experience.  A few things stood out to me. 

Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1980) appears not to be keeping pace with past generations when it comes to charitable giving. As Sara pointed out, this might be because only about 36 percent of the people who sit on the boards of directors of U.S. nonprofits are under the age of 50 (see Nonprofit Governance Index 2007). She went on to urge nonprofits to reach out to the next generation with some caveats regarding expectations. Many people in this generation (people who are roughly ages 28-43) are time-strapped and represent  2-income households, thus busy building careers or raising families. Raising a family is a rather expensive enterprise, so discretionary income may be going towards their children's college funds, or to paying off their own student debt. The upshot is, in addition to not being as engaged in the boards of nonprofits like older generations are, Gen X-ers don't have handy cash for making charitable contributions like other generations do. But that should not stop organizations from reaching out to them. What they do have to offer is an entrepreneurial approach that may be refreshing for the right organizations, a hands-on approach to getting results, and a keen interest in measuring return on their investments of time and talent and seeing bottom line results overall. They aren't passive check writers. They have energy and enthusiasm and a willingness to get their hands dirty. 

We'd be very interested to know if your organization has made an effort to reach out to the next generation. If so, how is it working?  Tell us. Making a comment is easy, I promise!

--Cindy Bailie

'Nonprofit Times' Top 50 List Includes Greater Cincinnati CEO

The NonProfit Times released its eleventh annual Power and Influence Top 50 list. As PhilanTopic reported last week, the big news in the current year is the number of first-timers on the list, perhaps signaling the beginning of the first wave of leadership transitions from the old guard to the new.

One Ohioan made the list, and for the first time. Here is her profile along with our hearty congratulations!

Kathryn E. Merchant, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

"[Ms. Merchant's] leadership is moving beyond building assets for the greater Cincinnati area to building a national network for community foundation services. She might be the only executive to navigate the choppy waters between the Council on Foundations, GivingNet, and the state’s regional association."

Worth Repeating...The Commanding Heights-MBAs Rule All Sectors

"...We have taken the vision and vocabulary and dead metaphors of MBAs and put them over philosophy, literature, ethics, political theory, history, religion and so on. We expect those disciplines to fall into place beneath the MBAs and the financial people to optimize a number.We have people of ends reporting to people of means; people of vision reporting to spreadsheet or managerial people. I do not think this is a good way to run our society, but it is the increasingly well accepted norm...as time goes on, I am afraid we will all be talking the language of business in every sector. So, I do it on company time, and at night skulk around a dumpster stocked with old books tossed away by the rising generations."

--From Phil Cubeta, The Commanding Heights-MBAs Rule All Sectors, GiftHub, February 11, 2008.

Amusing, huh? Maybe? Maybe not? What do you think?