December 31, 2008
As 2008 draws to a close, the Foundation Center has published its annual review of philanthropy news over the past year:
From the historic candidacies of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, to the credit crisis and implosion of the U.S. economy, to the spectacular Olympic Games staged by a rising China, it was a year to remember. And philanthropy was very much a part of it, doing what it has done best traditionally even as it sought to become more efficient, more effective, and more relevant to the networked global economy of the twenty-first century.
This special section takes a look at the economy, diversity, legislative news, global trends, noteworthy gifts, and more. The section ends with a look ahead at what’s to come in 2009.
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Posted by MCF Webmaster
December 30, 2008
Five board members are rotating off of the Minnesota Council on Foundations’ board of directors:
- David Etzwiler, vice president of community affairs at Medtronic and executive director of the Medtronic Foundation, joined the board in 2006. He served on the government relations committee and was a co-chair of MCF’s annual conference in 2005.
- José González, program officer at the Bush Foundation, was first elected as a member of the board in 2004. He served on the committee on inclusivity and the program & information committee.
- Barbara Kaufmann, manager of corporate contributions and community affairs for 3M Foundation, joined the board in 2006. She served on the membership committee and the program & information committee.
- Mark Murphy, executive director of the Cargill Foundation and manager of the Cargill Corporate Citizenship Fund, joined the board in 2003. He was a member of the governance committee and a conference planning committee.
- Andrew Turner, trustee of the Turner Family Foundation, has also served the board for six years. He was a member of the audit committee, program & information committee, and membership committee.
Thank you all for your service!
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Posted by Annette Lennartsson
December 29, 2008
When Neal St. Anthony called last week for background for his “Charity Funders Feeling Pinched” story, he was probably hoping for some dramatic news about a rosy outlook for 2009 — aren’t we all?
We at MCF don’t have a crystal ball, but we have gathered lots of information from our members about what they anticipate for the year ahead. And while their predictions aren’t necessarily rosy, our outlook has some glimmers of hope . . . and lots of heart.
At three member roundtable discussions about the economy in November, the outpouring of concern for nonprofits and the community was consistent. MCF members challenged each other to respond quickly and creatively. Could the adversity create opportunities for innovation? Will this bump in the road force us to refocus on our missions?
From our 2009 Outlook Report survey of members and other large foundations and corporate giving programs, we learned that many foundations are doing everything they can to maintain giving levels despite dramatic asset declines. Respondents reported across-the-board reductions in administrative costs, staff cuts, and streamlined processes. In addition, some noted that they’re adjusting giving guidelines to be responsive to immediate needs, and others are offering non-monetary technical assistance and in-kind support.
You can read more about our 2009 Outlook Report next week, including how future grant amounts are expected to be affected by the economy. In the meantime, let’s all continue to share compassion and remain hopeful for the new year.
– Wendy Wehr, MCF Vice President of Communications and Information Services
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Posted by Wendy Wehr
December 29, 2008
The Minnesota Council on Foundations is hiring for two positions:
- Director of Professional Development and Member Services: This position works with staff and members to develop and implement high-quality learning opportunities for grantmakers as well as grantseekers. The director is also responsible for overseeing networking activities and development of resources for grantmakers.
- Communications Associate: This position will play a key role in writing MCF’s popular print and electronic communications, including the Giving Forum newspaper, the website, e-newsletters and the blog. The communications associate will also promote and report on member programs and participate in media relations activities.
These positions are now closed.
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Posted by MCF Webmaster
December 27, 2008
Roundup of news articles about philanthropy and nonprofits in the local and national media:
Local:
- Outpouring of Generosity to Fire Victims
WCCO: They came out in droves, bringing clothes, food, toiletries, Christmas gifts and toys, like the ones a group of Bloomington boys brought to help out.
> Burnsville Fire Victims Tearfully Receive $17,500 Checks from Anonymous Donor (Star Tribune)
> Let’s Ignore Effectiveness, Just For Today (New Voices of Philanthropy)
- Forum Offers Landowners Information on Wind Energy
Bemidji Pioneer: The wind energy potential is significant for Minnesota, and greater Minnesota can capture economic benefits from the wind energy market, according to Cheryl Glaeser of the Southwest Initiative Foundation.
- From Gang Member to Guide
Twin Cities Daily Planet: Not many heroes around, these days. Isaac Combs, recipient of the McKnight Foundation’s 2008 Virginia McKnight Binger Award in Human Service, undeniably is one.
Economy:
- After Madoff, Donors Grow Wary of Giving
Wall Street Journal: Amid a distressed economy and the disturbing news that many high-profile nonprofits were hurt by Mr. Madoff’s alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme, an increasing number of donors are losing confidence in the ability of such groups to safeguard their money.
> Major Foundation To Close, While Charities Reel from Scandal (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
> CT Attorney General Examines Liability of Charity Trustees in Madoff Scandal (Chronicle of Philanthropy)
- Hard Times Stir Opportunities
Elk River Star News: Kathy Gaalswyk, the president of the Initiative Foundation, spoke about economics locally and pointed out the opportunities that a recession brings as community leaders and decision makers assess their situation and prepare for the eventuality of the economy being restored.
- Despite Economy, We Must Invest in Region
Editorial by Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation president Tim Penny in the Rochester Post-Bulletin.
- Charity Gets Personal Amid Economic Hardship
MSNBC: The vast majority of survey respondents said they plan to keep up or even increase contributions to favorite charities or those in need, even if they are feeling the financial pinch themselves.
- Despite Tough Times, Retailers Are Giving More to Charity
USA Today: Double-digit sales declines notwithstanding, retailers have shown this is the season of giving after all.
- Nonprofits Don’t Need a Bailout; Americans Give In Bad Times, Too
Investor’s Business Daily editorial: The American people are generous. They support their charities in good times and bad. And while some charities are suffering now, the answer is not expanded federal spending or bailouts.
National:
- Congress Targets Philanthropy
Wall Street Journal: Like divining rods, Members of Congress are always alert to fresh sources of money, which once discovered they will spend. California Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra thinks he’s discovered a new source of political treasure: the money inside private and community foundations.
- Who Gives the Most?
Forbes: Americans give more to charity, per capita and as a percentage of gross domestic product, than the citizens of other nations. But why?
- Charity Rankings Giveth Less than Meets the Eye
Wall Street Journal: It may make you feel better to know that your charitable donations are going to organizations that have been highly rated by any number of online charity rankings. But these sites fail to quantify the most-important and most elusive charity measurement: success in achieving its mission.
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Posted by MCF Webmaster
December 24, 2008
CBS News last Friday profiled a Kansas City businessman who each year gives complete strangers money — high school students, restaurant workers, even people passing by in a car.
In years past, he’s handed out $100 bills. Reporter Steve Hartman says that “because of the economy, he says he just can’t give out what he used to … he’s got to give more.” Despite a 44% decrease in his own portfolio, he’s giving out about $100,000 in all. His reasoning:
“In our country, we have a lot of people who make $8 to $10 an hour, and they live in a $12- and $14-an-hour world. And so this year, we are trying to concentrate on the working poor.”
This Secret Santa is also recruiting others like him across the country.
More Santa stories:
Join the conversation: What “random acts of giving” have you provided or observed?
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Posted by Crystal Colby
December 22, 2008
The Star Tribune has a series of articles about the recession’s effect on nonprofits:
From one of the articles:
The recession of 2008 has hit nonprofits harder and faster than previous recessions. And because more than half of nonprofits get most of their individual donations in the fourth quarter, they are already seeing donations plummet.
So what are nonprofits to do in the face of smaller donations and potential government cuts? Here are some suggestions:
- Nonprofits Assistance Fund executive director Kate Barr says one response is to find creative ways to raise money online.
- A Star Tribune blogger says that nonprofits need to learn how to tell their stories, if they want to receive money from him.
- The Chronicle of Philanthropy is tracking local newspapers that help readers give. For example, the Washington Post has an interactive map that shows charities in the D.C. area. Is anyone in Minnesota doing this?
- Nonprofit Communications blogger Kivi Leroux Miller says that nonprofits still have time for their even-more-important holiday fundraising e-mail appeal. Find an archived radio broadcast on this topic and many more resources about how to take advantage of end-of-year giving.
How can individuals help?
Join the conversation: How else can we all help nonprofits through the recession?
1 Comment | economy, fundraising, holiday, in the news, nonprofits, technology, volunteers | Permalink
Posted by Crystal Colby
