Minnesota Council on Foundations Blog – Philanthropy Potluck

This spring, I began planning Being Grounded in Philanthropy, a program in MCF’s Effective Grantmaking Series designed to orient new foundation staff to the field of philanthropy.  The program covers the history of philanthropy on a national level, then explores the grantmaking landscape in Minnesota, and ends with a discussion of what it’s like to work for a foundation and what strategies new foundation professionals can use to be successful in their roles.

As I prepared for this program, I thought about all of the amazing MCF members that I have met, many who have been in the field for years, who are great at what they do and respected by their peers.  I wondered what it was like for them when they started in grantmaking.  I wondered what they wish they would have know when they started.  And I thought that many people, whether they are new to the field or not, could learn and benefit from the stories and counsel of these experienced grantmakers.

Over the next nine weeks, we will debut video interviews with MCF members who will share the wisdom and insight they’ve gained on their journey in philanthropy.  They will talk about how they got started in the field, what they know now that they wish they would have known then, and what advice they have for new staff.

This first video is with Ellis Bullock, Executive Director of the Grotto Foundation.  As Ellis says in the interview, he’s been in the field on and off for over 30 years.  He built his career on his ability to ask the right questions, and gain buy-in and admiration from his peers and colleagues.  He tells people who are new to the field to work hard and study, “because we never stop learning.”  Thank you, Ellis!

- Stephanie Jacobs, MCF member services manager