Three Minnesota grantmakers have announced new procedures for their grantmaking:
New Grantmaker Guidelines
February 17, 2009
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Attend a Town Hall Meeting on the State’s Budget
February 13, 2009The Minnesota House and Senate will go on a tour of the state Feb. 19-26 to get input from citizens on Governor Pawlenty’s proposed budget. This is an important opportunity for nonprofit leaders and grantmakers to educate and advocate for the work that is being done in our community. Take a look at the schedule of meetings and sign up to speak at one of the events.
In addition, the Invest in Minnesota’s Future campaign invites nonprofit organizations as well as labor groups, the religious community and citizens to come together to work on the state’s budget problems.
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Posted by Chuck Peterson
In the Media
February 13, 2009Roundup of how the media is covering philanthropy and nonprofits.
Economy:
- To Fix the Economy, Fund the Arts
So says Americans for the Arts president and CEO Bob Lynch, who spoke to the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers.
> Federal Arts Spending: Pork, or Economic Driver? (MinnPost) - Foundation Assets Fall 27.8 Percent
According to a survey by the national Council on Foundations.
Local:
- Nonprofits Lobby for Fair Tax Hikes to Avoid Drastic Cuts
MinnPost: 200 nonprofit leaders gathered as part of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ Day at the Capitol. This year, MCN has a two-part agenda. First, make sure that the state doesn’t try to solve its $4.8-billion-and-growing deficit through cuts and accounting shifts alone. They also are pushing a bill to ensure that nonprofits keep the property tax exemption they have had for years. - United Way Leader Stepping Down and Hints at Changes in Giving
MinnPost: Lauren Segal, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Twin Cities United Way, will step down at the end of the year after 15 years with the organization. She said United Way is evaluating whether to put more money into basic needs — hunger, homelessness and financial stability. - How Deep will McKnight Cut Grants to the Arts?
MinnPost: Consider that the McKnight Foundation’s annual arts-grants budget has come close to the Minnesota State Arts Board’s $10.2 million budget, which the governor wants to slash, and you’ll understand why arts groups are rattled. - Minnesota Lawmakers Hold Joint Summit on Early Childhood Education
MPR: Jim Hoolihan from the Blandin Foundation told lawmakers about a program called Invest Early which aims to provide comprehensive early childhood education for underserved kids. - A Special Donation for U, Minnesota
Star Tribune: In these days of breathtaking bailouts, Ponzi schemes and A-Roids, the decision Caroline Amplatz made deserves more time in the spotlight. Minutes after hearing a presentation about the struggle to raise money for a new children’s hospital at the university, Amplatz, an attorney from Golden Valley, pledged $50 million to name the hospital in honor of her father, Dr. Kurt Amplatz. - Duluth Center Consolidates Services for Victims of Domestic Violence
Duluth News Tribune: From legal assistance to police protection and from counseling to medical attention, the center will give women one place to go when they need help. The center came to fruition with $1.5 million from about 60 private donations, including $240,000 from an anonymous donor through the Ordean Foundation and $130,000 from the Bush Foundation.
National:
- For Investing with Madoff, Private Foundations Could Face Tax Fines
New York Times: Under an obscure tax rule, private foundations can be penalized for failing to vet their investments properly, to heed red flags or to diversify prudently. While foundations are exempt from federal income taxes, they are subject to this excise tax, intended to keep them from taking outsize risks that could threaten their very survival. - Diversity Targets for Philanthropists Are Absurd
Dallas Morning News: The diversity campaign is oblivious to the complex power of ideas in the world. Those who would direct philanthropy into preconceived channels think that they already know the answers to the world’s problems and need only to appropriate the funding for those answers. But no one can predict how ideas will play out in practice or who will be their beneficiaries. The public good is best served by giving maximum freedom to the creative spirit. - Giving Away Money Isn’t As Easy As It Sounds
Indianapolis Star: Part of it may have to do with the fact that folks who acquire wealth are people who tend to be wise in their investments. Thus, they are wise in their philanthropy too. - The Second Wave of Giving Will Roll On
Financial Times: Between the dismal economy, crashing financial markets and the Madoff scandal it would be natural to assume that philanthropy was out for the count. But while these difficulties might take the wind out of the sector’s sails for a while, we are in the midst of a second great wave of philanthropy.
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Knight Sponsors Twitter Awards
February 12, 2009
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is a major sponsor of journalism initiatives, and the foundation has been very invested in new media through such programs as the Knight Community Information Challenge, community portal KnightPulse, and the online-only news service MinnPost.com.
So it’s no surprise that Knight sponsored the first Shorty Awards, which recognized people who post content on the social media platform Twitter. Twitter is a micro-blogging system in which users post updates, or “tweets,” that are no more than 140 characters in length. Last night, the awards ceremony honored winners in 26 categories including nonprofits, advertising, entertainment and news.
The winner in the nonprofit category was @athletes4acure, which is written by the managing director of Athletes for a Cure. You can find a lot more nonprofit “tweeters” in this TwitterPack — many great examples of how both individuals and organizations are using this new communications vehicle.
One of my favorites is the winner for the science category, @MarsPhoenix, NASA’s Mars lander. Phoenix provided updates about its mission to its more than 42,000 followers, telling about digging assignments as well as dust storms and declining temperatures, and responding to questions from those who have interest in the program. And when the lander said goodbye before “going to sleep” in the Martian winter, another NASA employee took over to continue sending updates about the program and the insight that is still being discovered. I’ve been following this Twitter stream for months, and I think it’s a very creative way for an organization to put a human face on its projects to build awareness and interest.
Of course, the Knight Foundation itself is on Twitter: read its updates at @knightfdn.
- Crystal Colby, MCF’s web communications associate
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Posted by Crystal Colby
More on the Stimulus Bill
February 12, 2009Congress has compromised on a $789-billion economic stimulus bill, which is awaiting passage. While the full details of the package have not been released, reportedly 36% represents tax cuts and 64% in spending and other provisions, including $54 billion to the states to help face growing budget deficits. President Obama is hopeful that this plan will begin to create and save up to 4 million jobs. Unfortunately, the stimulus plan left out many nonprofit and philanthropy-related stimulus initiatives. Read more at philanthropy.com.
Senator Schumer Files Excise Tax Amendment
The national Council on Foundations reports that Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) filed an amendment (PDF) to modify the excise tax rate on investment income of private foundations. While this amendment was not included in the final stimulus package, the bill demonstrates his commitment to the sector. His amendment is also likely to further discussion on this issue in the Joint Committee on Taxation.
CBPP Report on Estate Tax
COF also reported that the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a report (PDF) urging Congress not to lower the estate tax below 2009 levels. The 2009 levels set the tax rate at 45% and exemption levels at $3.5 million per individual; at these levels, less than .3% of people will owe estate tax. The report states that “a meaningful estate tax is an important incentive for charitable giving. Shrinking the tax beyond its 2009 level would weaken this incentive, likely producing a drop in donations.” Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) is expected to propose legislation to make key features of the 2009 estate tax rules permanent. The Minnesota Council on Foundations supports an estate tax with reasonable thresholds, but opposes full repeal of the estate tax.
- Chuck Peterson, MCF’s VP of member relations and operations
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Posted by Chuck Peterson
Nominate a Nonprofit for the Building Leadership Award
February 12, 2009
Independent Sector’s 2009 American Express Building Leadership Award will recognize an outstanding organization for its leadership in investing in the people of the nonprofit community. Criteria for the award include implementation of innovative strategies for developing leaders at all levels; promotion of an inclusive and diverse workforce; and measurement of the organization’s impact on its community.
Deadline: February 16, 2009.
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Senate-Passed Stimulus Bill Does Not Include Philanthropy Measures
February 11, 2009The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports on the Senate’s version of the economic stimulus bill, which was passed yesterday:
[It] does not include a number of measures that nonprofit and foundation leaders had proposed to help ease the impact of the recession on the philanthropic world. As these provisions were also left out of the House bill, the chances that they will be included in the final stimulus package are slim.
Independent Sector has a side-by-side comparison (pdf) how the House and Senate versions of the bill cover program areas in which nonprofits operate.
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Around the Philanthropy Web
February 11, 2009Roundup of what local and national bloggers are saying about philanthropy and nonprofits. Join the conversations!
- The Need for Foundations to Listen
Grand Rapids Community Foundation president Diana Sieger admits that foundation leaders do not have all the answers. - Sharing the Job Cut Blues
Nonprofits Assistance Fund executive director Kate Barr argues that nonprofits need to announce their staff reductions as part of a larger effort to educate the public about nonprofits’ role in the economy. - Should Donors Know You Need Them?
Two opposite schools of thought — “donors are more likely to support causes that are self-sufficient” vs. “donors are more likely to give if they believe their donation is necessary to sustain a worthy cause” — are being discussed at Give & Take. - Charity Workers Are “Addicted to Nice”
Chronicle of Philanthropy: Why are people who have no problem calling out a “bad” product — such as Windows Vista — unable to stomach outing poor charitable projects? - Food Bank Wins Obama Video Contest With ‘Yes, We’re Cans’
Give and Take: The winning video follows a can of chili from purchase at Kroger’s supermarket to being donated to the food bank and distributed to a needy family. - 25 Random Things About Philanthropy
If you’ve seen the “25 random things about me” lists that are all the rage on Facebook these days, you’ll understand the purpose of this fun list from the Maine Women’s Fund.
> Making the 25 Things List Work for Your Organization (OnPhilanthropy.com)
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