Education Giving Trends: How does Minnesota Compare to the Nation?

July 21, 2009

More grant dollars go to education than any other interest area in the state of Minnesota, according to a recent article in Giving Trends, part of MCF’s Summer edition of Giving Forum.

Students from The Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative

Students from The Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative

$212 million, or 26 percent of all grant dollars in the state, went to education in 2006 (the latest date for which complete data are available).

Nationally, more grant dollars go to education than any other area, as well. In 2007, $4.9 billion went to education nationally or 22.8 percent of total foundation dollars.

In broad brush strokes, Minnesota’s grantmaking mimics trends on the national level. However, when examining the data more closely, interesting points of divergence reveal Minnesota’s own unique approach to education grantmaking.

  • Minnesotans value elementary and secondary education highly.
    The largest education grantmaking subcategory in Minnesota is elementary and secondary education. Across the nation, the lion’s share of education grantmaking dollars goes to higher education and graduate education.
  • Minnesotans support education-related programming.
    Minnesota funds education-related services such as college readiness, tutoring and drop-out prevention programming at just over twice the national rate. Twenty-percent of Minnesota’s education grantmaking dollars go to support this type of programming, compared to the national rate of 9 percent.

More information on how Minnesota’s education grantmaking compares to national trends can be read in the complete article published at mcf.org.

If you missed out on the latest edition of Giving Forum, you can subscribe online to receive your own free copy of this quarterly review of grantmaking in Minnesota. The theme explored in the next edition will be grantmaking partnerships.

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Posted by MCF Webmaster

Second Helpings from the Blogosphere

July 20, 2009

Grab a plate folks, it’s time for your biweekly serving of the latest and greatest commentary from the philanthropy and nonprofit blogosphere.

Debating NBC’s Drama The Philanthropist
(Tactical Philanthropy) It’s official, folks, The Philanthropist throw-down is happening tomorrow, Tuesday, July 21.  Join Steven Gunderson, Council on Foundations CEO, and Sean Stannord-Stockton, director of Tactical Philanthropy at Ensemble Capital Management, as they debate the merits (or lack there of) of NBC’s show. Stay tuned to Sean’s blog for a complete recap of the event.

How to Innovate
(Donor Power Blog) In this video Guy Kawasaki riffs on the theme of innovation to give us ten shining pearls o’ wisdom. Although awkwardly abbreviated, the video is still a nice pick-me-up for those of us trying to drive change across their organization or across the nation. My favorite? Definitely, “Don’t worry, be crappy.”

Less is More (Again!) — Newark Museum Tagline Success in Just 4 Words
(The Getting Attention Blog) This post is a continuation on Nancy E. Schwartz’s ongoing quest for the best nonprofit tagline. For nonprofits and grantmakers alike, a tagline is one of the best tools you have for making a clear, memorable impression about your organization. Check out this post and Nancy’s tagline contest at her site.

New Models for (Philanthropy) Research & Dialogue
(Philosophy 2.0) Tony Wang critiques the current research paradigm. He recommends some new approaches to sharing information about philanthropy enabled by web 2.0 including crowdsourcing wisdom with wikis, and using twitter hashtags to communicate with grantees and stakeholders.

Using Flickr Creatively
(Beth’s Blog) Deborah Arkanase introduces us to three nonprofits using the photo sharing site Flickr to engage their base in new ways.

-Cary Lenore Walski, MCF web communications associate

Photo CC Striatic

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Can $212 Million Make Waves in a $7.6+ Billion Ocean?

July 17, 2009

New Issue of MCF’s Giving Forum Features Minnesota Grantmakers’ Contributions to Education

Children at Three Rivers Head Start participate in The Saint Paul Foundation’s Words Work! initiative. Read more about this initiative and others in Giving Forum.

Children in The Saint Paul Foundation’s Words Work! initiative. Read more about this initiative and others in Giving Forum.

Expenditures for elementary and secondary education in Minnesota topped $7.6 billion in 2006-07, according to the Report Card on American Education: A State-by-State Analysis by the American Legislative Exchange Council (whose source is the U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics; Digest of Educational Statistics, 2007).

The $212 million in grants that went toward education in Minnesota in 2006 is not a small chunk of change (source: Giving in Minnesota, 2008 Edition, a report of the Minnesota Council on Foundations).  However, when comparing $212 million to $7.6+ billion,* one does wonder what kind of impact grant dollars can make when it’s “out-billioned” several times over.

Unfazed by the funding differential, Minnesota grantmakers are asking, “What if every student in Minnesota had the opportunity to realize his or her educational goals?”

Achievement, opportunity and access gaps abound, and the road ahead looks daunting. But, through initiatives big and small, long-term and short-term, these grantmakers are investing in changing the trajectory of student success by building on the body of research, promoting effective practices that impact academic outcomes, engaging and empowering stakeholders, influencing policies, and leveraging resources.

We talked to funders about why they fund what they fund and how it’s creating opportunities to innovate, change and sustain in education.  What they had to say is featured in our summer issue of Giving Forum, a publication of MCF.

Their initiatives are making sure children don’t enter school already behind, preventing students from falling further behind, and preparing students for post-secondary education. They’re investing in those closest to the student – parents, teachers and liaisons. They’re leading efforts to expand the meaning of “education” beyond the K-12 classroom to include perseverance in college, out-of-school time, early childhood mental health, opportunities for immigrants, and home visits for first-time parents in rural Minnesota.  And they’re laying the foundation to create change through public policy engagement.

This issue of Giving Forum also includes a commentary on how Minnesota funders can impact educational effectiveness, data on education giving trends in Minnesota, a look at Minnesota’s two top education funders – Target and General Mills, and a compilation of education resources.

The investment by Minnesota grantmakers is helping each and every Minnesota student in ways that not even $7.6+ billion can.

- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF communications associate

*While the $212 million in grants includes support of higher education, student services and other related education areas, I didn’t research total public-sector spending on early childhood or post-secondary education or all the other areas that feed into education, so this is not a true apples-to-apples comparison, and thus the “+” that accompanies the 7.6. If I was a research expert and this was a blog on research, this apple-to-orange thing might bother me more, but I’m sure you’ll roll with my numbers as I try to illustrate a point.

Other Posts Related to Education: New McKnight Focus: Literacy by the Third Grade, Making It Real, Even on My Day Off, A Data Nugget is Worth 1,000 Words

2 Comments | children, education, giving forum, government, mcf, promotion of philanthropy, youth | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Chris Noonan

Social Justice Philanthropy Seeing Resurgence

July 16, 2009
A marcher from the Charlotte Coalition for Social Justice. Social Justice organizations are receiving increased foundation support.

In this photo a young man from the Charlotte Coalition for Social Justice marches to honor MLK Day. Social Justice organizations are receiving increased foundation support.

Social justice philanthropy is on the rise, according to a just-released report from Foundation Center.  Grantmakers and practitioners alike are more optimistic about moving their agenda forward, according to Social Justice Grantmaking II, an in-depth look at current attitudes and giving patterns in social justice philanthropy.

The report examines changes in grantmakers’ strategies and practices based on late 2008 interviews with 19 leading funders and eight advocates/practitioners. It also documents trends in giving based on actual grants awarded by over 1,000 of the largest U.S. foundations.

In 2007 social justice giving reached $3 billion, or 13.7 percent of overall grant dollars.  Between 2002 and 2006, social justice giving rose nearly 31 percent, surpassing the 20 percent increase in foundation giving overall during that time.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation accounted for over half of the growth in social justice grant dollars during this period. Other top social justice funders are W.K. Kellogg Foundation, an MCF member, and the Ford Foundation.  Together, the three provide over one-third of total social justice support.

Top funding areas within the category are: economic and community development (30.5%), human rights and civil liberties (13.8 percent), and health care access and affordability (13.4%).

The Foundation Center defines social justice philanthropy as “The granting of philanthropic contributions to nonprofit organizations based in the United States and other countries that work for structural change in order to increase the opportunity of those who are the least well off politically, economically, and socially.”

Those interviewed as part of the study cited the changed political environment, success of community organizing in the recent election, and new ideas and energy in the field among other factors reinvigorating a commitment to social justice philanthropy.

Study “Highlights” are available free. The full report can be purchased from Foundation Center.

Join the Conversation: MCF members, where does social justice funding fall among your giving priorities?  What makes you optimistic about the potential impact of your and your grantees’ work?

Photo CC James Willamor

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Actually, the Secret Ingredient isn’t Love

July 15, 2009
Looking to whip up some organizational sustainability? A new report shows that the secret ingredient isn’t love, or at least not just love.

Image by Arenamontanus

Hopefully "leadership" is in here somewhere.

I think it’s fair to say that all nonprofits have passion for what they do. According to the TCC Group, what differentiates those nonprofits who succeed financially and those who don’t comes down to a surprisingly short list, with leadership at the top.

The Sustainability Formula: How Nonprofit Organizations Can Thrive in the Emerging Economy identifies key values and behaviors that are correlated with financial sustainability.

In a survey of over 700 nonprofits using their own 146 question Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT), TCC Group found that the behaviors that are crucial to nonprofit sustainability are:

  • Decisive, strategic and accountable leadership that values evaluation, learning and effective, mission-focused communications;
  • Financial and programmatic adaptability; and
  • The resources to deliver core programs.

Interestingly, the report found that only 25% of total respondents reported that their organization had all of the qualities that TCC Group defines as markers of a sustainable organization. Furthermore, only 28% reported feeling that their organization was financially sustainable.

The report profiles two nonprofits that exemplify the core traits stated in the sustainability formula, New York Cares and The Family Center. Through these two examples, TCC Group illustrates different aspects of sustainability, and then concludes the report with a list of ten recommendations for nonprofits looking to improve their own sustainability.

To read the full report, visit the TCC Group’s website, or download the pdf report here.

-Cary Lenore Walski
MCF Web Communications Associate

1 Comment | grantseekers, nonprofits, research | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster

Women’s Foundation Grants Sessions

July 10, 2009

In July and August, the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota will hold grants information sessions to publicize its funding opportunities.

Foundation staff will also offer helpful tips on writing effective grant proposals, and attendees will have the chance to network with others who are working with women and girls in their area.

Minnesota nonprofits seeking funding to advance economic, social and political equality for women and girls are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Sida Ly-Xiong at 888-337-5010 or sida@wfmn.org.

  • Warroad | July 22 | 10-11:30 a.m.
    Public Safety Center – 802 Cherne Drive NW, Warroad
  • Mankato | July 23 | 1:30-3:00 p.m.
    Mankato YWCA – 209 South 2nd St., Suite 314, Mankato
  • Rochester | August 5 | 10-11:30 a.m.
    United Way of Olmsted County – 903 West Center St., Rochester
  • St. Cloud | August 12 | 10-11:30 a.m.
    Atwood Memorial Center, Primrose Room – 651 First Avenue South, SCSU Campus, St. Cloud

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In the Media

July 8, 2009
Photo by Dan..

Ridin' the range and ropin' the headlines so you don't have to.

Your biweekly roundup of media coverage on the world of nonprofit and philanthropy (yee-ha.)

Accepting Less*
(The Chronicle of Philanthropy) In response to the economy, many philanthropic leaders are taking voluntary pay cuts.
*Paid subscription required.

Dueling Research on the True Beneficiaries of Foundation Grants
(The Chronicle of Philanthropy) Same data, different conclusions. Two conflicting reports on giving to marginalized groups raise debate about on how research on grantmaking is conducted.

Giving Goes Flat
(Twin Cities Business Journal) Burt Cohen bemoans the apparent trend among his peers to refuse giving due to the economy, and challenges the old adage, “Whoever dies with the most chips wins.”

Innovative-Safe or Innovative-Radical?
(The Wall Street Journal) N. Ramakrishnan discusses a push for innovation in communication about neo-natal and mother health in India, and in doing so, brings up some important points about what truly defines innovation.

Kobe’s Next Conquest: China
(The Wall Street Journal) In another celebrity philanthropy double-take, NBA star Kobe Bryant helps the Chinese government in their new push to foster philanthropy in the world’s most populous nation. New wealth for middle-class Chinese brings new opportunities to buy, but also to give.

Madoff Losses Tied to Board Size, Makeup
(Philanthropy Journal) A lack of board diversity is linked to Madoff-related losses in foundations.

“Perfect Storm” of Fiscal Stress Hits Nonprofits
(John Hopkins University) Soggy socks? You’re not the only one. This new report from John Hopkins University outlines in detail the current stormy financial situation for nonprofits. The forecast for the near future? Partly cloudy at best.

Raising Children Who Care in Times That Need It
(The New York Times) Is your kid more likely to opt for Halloween candy than UNICEF? Teaching empathy is challenging, but there are new resources to help parents.

Under a New Lens: Corporate Philanthropy in a Changed Economy
(onPhilanthropy) Foundations and corporate CEO’s converged at CECP Corporate Philanthropy Summit to discuss trends and best practices in corporate philanthropy. How can corporations give efficiently and enhance their reputation without being perceived as disingenuous?

-Cary Lenore Walski, MCF Web Communications Associate

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Posted by MCF Webmaster

More Kudos to Minneapolis-St. Paul for Leading the Country in Service to Others

July 7, 2009
Rock on, Twin Cities volunteers!

Rock on, Twin Cities' volunteers!

The Corporation for National and Community Service ranks the Twin Cities first in volunteerism. More than 913,000 of us (39.3 percent of our population) volunteer 106.2 million hours a year, making an estimated annual economic contribution of $2.1 billion, according to the corporation’s new web tool VolunteeringInAmerica.gov.  (Check out the profile of volunteering in Minnesota – that’s impressive too!)

Adding to these accolades is news that the Corporate Volunteerism Council of the Twin Cities (CVC-TC) was awarded the 2009 Corporate Volunteerism Council of the Year Award at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in June. The award, presented by the Points of Light Institute, recognizes the CVC-TC’s outstanding success in employing the CVC Principles of Excellence, which acknowledge that CVCs exist to meet the needs of businesses and the community, assist businesses interested in developing employee volunteer programs, and target its efforts to address serious social problems based on real community needs.

In accepting the award, CVC-TC president Cheryl Thompson said, “We believe that employee volunteerism is the pinnacle of corporate citizenship, bringing together a corporation’s most valuable resource – its people – with organizations that address community needs and bring positive change.”

Among its accomplishments this past year, the CVC-TC:

  • Engaged nonprofit associate members to apprise CVC-TC members of emerging community needs and to partner on strategic community initiatives.
  • Promoted collaboration through a joint volunteer project bringing together 100 corporate volunteers from 10 companies, plus partners Hands On Twin Cities, Great River Greening and St. Paul Parks and Recreation.
  • Bolstered local, cross-sector collaboration efforts in support of the Serve America Act/Service Nation by quantifying the corporate contribution to the community: In 2009, employee volunteers in Minnesota will contribute more than 700,000 volunteer hours, valued at $13,657,000.
  • Offered educational programs on topics such as green volunteering, on-site volunteer opportunities and retiree volunteer programs.

The CVC-TC works to improve communities through its mission to advocate, support and grow employee volunteerism in companies of all sizes.  Many CVC-TC members are also MCF members.  (To learn more, read the CVC-TC feature in our spring issue of Giving Forum focusing on corporate philanthropy.)

Congratulations to the CVC-TC for its efforts to maintain and further our community’s long tradition of volunteer service.

- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF Communications Associate

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Posted by Chris Noonan

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