November 18, 2008
The New York-based Wallace Foundation awarded $5.3 million to eight Twin Cites arts organizations and another $1.6 million to Minnesota Community Foundation to increase participation in the arts. The foundation chose Minneapolis-St. Paul as one of six communities because of the vibrant local arts scene: “Minneapolis Saint Paul stood out among others because of the robust collaboration among local funders and arts organizations around informing and supporting cultural participation.”
Eight organizations, including MacPhail Center for Music and the Minnesota Opera, will each receive four-year grants of at least $300,000 to increase arts attendance. Minnesota Community Foundation will partner with Arts Midwest over four years to create a network of resources about engaging audiences for all local arts organizations, in addition to providing project grant funds. The organizations will also receive technical assistance to help understand their audiences and evaluate project effectiveness.
“This is an exciting mix of arts organizations that enrich our region and state,” said Carleen Rhodes, Minnesota Community Foundation’s president and CEO. “We are pleased that The Wallace Foundation sought us out to play an organizing role that will enhance their individual and collective capacity.”
Building appreciation and demand for the arts is one of the Wallace Foundation’s three focus areas; find resources about this topic at wallacefoundation.org.
In the media:
No Comments » | 
arts | 
Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster
November 17, 2008
The Northwest Minnesota Women’s Fund invites nominees who are exemplary role models who have had a positive and significant impact on the social fabric of northwest Minnesota, which includes the counties of Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau.
Deadline: Dec. 1, 2008
No Comments » | 
awards | 
Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster
November 14, 2008
What the news media are saying about philanthropy/nonprofits:
- Nonprofits Get Chance to Buy Homes in Foreclosure
Star Tribune: Minneapolis and St. Paul, working with key nonprofit developers, will be able to pick off strategic properties for their efforts to rebuild neighborhoods. Some could be discounted by 10 to 15 percent off current market values to reflect what lenders save by avoiding holding costs.
- Thirteen Communities To Be Participants in Horizons Program
Hutchinson Leader: The program, funded by Northwest Area Foundation, mobilizes community members to learn more about poverty, to support and uncover emerging leadership and to engage the entire community in establishing a future that addresses poverty and creates a new future.
- IRS Officials Say Nonprofit World Must be ‘Squeaky Clean’
Chronicle of Philanthropy: Two key Internal Revenue Service officials pledged that the agency will continue efforts to ensure that tax-exempt organizations are following federal laws.
- Charity Leaders Offer Tips for Tough Economy, Holiday Season
CNN: CNN talked with the leaders of six charitable organizations to see what they’re doing to address the tough economic times and what everyday folks can do to make a difference, even without spending a dime.
- Charity Begins in the Office
Financial Times: Too often, funding comes with strings attached - strings limiting the spending to programme work rather than on support functions such as staff training, improved IT systems or HR management. Yet, as many in the sector point out, boosting operational efficiency by investing in technical training, HR management or streamlined procurement systems not only helps organisations work more effectively but can also mean more cash for mission-driven activities.
- Despite Sour Economy, Gates Foundation Plans To Expand
Seattle Times: Next year the foundation, with an endowment of $35 billion, will grow “significantly” in both grant-making and operations.
> Gates Foundation Releases Ambitious New Giving Plans for Education (Seattle Times)
- Instant Arts Grants
Twin Cities Business: The Generosity Foundation sets up shop in a New York park, or other public place, and gives small “micro-grants”—between $10 and $50—to anyone passing by who will use the money to start an art project.
- ‘American Idol’ Gives Over $64 Million in Grants to 6 US, International Charities
Associated Press: “Idol Gives Back” said Wednesday that grants have been made to The Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Malaria No More; Children’s Health Fund; U.S. programs of Save the Children; Children’s Defense Fund; and Make It Right, Pitt’s campaign to help New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina.
- From A Corporate Job to a Nonprofit
Wall Street Journal: Here are some things to consider when making a transition to nonprofit management.
No Comments » | 
arts, in the news | 
Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster
November 13, 2008
The Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities has just introduced a new tool – Unlocking the Promise: A Guide for Funders – designed to give foundation leadership and program staff an instrument that will assist them in the assessment of proposals and projects and provide a forum for discussion with prospective grantees for improvements in the proposals and projects that will make them more transformative.
This tool was rolled out locally through a two-hour MCF funder briefing sponsored by The Saint Paul Foundation/Minnesota Community Foundation, The Minneapolis Foundation and The McKnight Foundation. Facilitator and member of the tool’s steering committee, Joanne Walz of The Minneapolis Foundation, provided a lively scenario of a fictitious small town – Anywhere, Minnesota – that was proposing a redevelopment project for its historic City Hall building. Using the guide’s three principles: 1) Focus on People and Place, 2) Reduce Local and Regional Disparities, and 3) Expand Leadership Opportunities, the group evaluated the case study using the rating system that goes from negative to transformational, and developed a list of further questions that a program officer could use to frame a discussion with the potential grantee.
Find more information about this tool at www.fundersnetwork.org.
- Lisa Johnson, MCF’s manager of professional development and e-learning
No Comments » | evaluation, programs | Permalink
Posted by Lisa Johnson
The Minnesota chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will hold its annual National Philanthropy Day celebration next Friday, Nov. 21. National Philanthropy Day pays tribute to the contributions that philanthropy and philanthropists have made to our lives, our communities and our world.
