November 6, 2008
On the morning after the historic election of Barack Obama, I had the privilege of hearing Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chair of the Carlson companies and trustee of MCF member Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation, speak about leadership and life. Her talk was filled with jewels of wisdom, and the audience’s mood shifted from joyful to somber and back again as she shared personal anecdotes and lessons learned during her fascinating life.
One of her recurring themes was inclusivity — how far we’ve come and how far we have yet to go.
Her stories of gender discrimination really struck a chord with me. She was hired for her first job under one condition: That she sign her name “M.C. Nelson” so no one would know she was woman. When she became pregnant with her first child, the company didn’t want to lose the successful “M.C.,” but having a pregnant woman in the workplace was unthinkable in those times. The company’s solution to the dilemma? Tuck her away in a hidden office with a separate entrance so no one would see her come and go from the building.
We may smile and say we’re grateful that those times are long gone, but are they? Women still earn 80 cents on the dollar that men earn. And while we’re ecstatic that an African American has achieved our country’s highest office, what about the many minorities in our own community who face huge barriers to success in school and life? As Carlson Nelson said, we still have a responsibility to work toward the greater good for a greater number.
At MCF we have a diversity framework that helps guide the work of our members. At Carlson companies, the inclusivity statement is one of Carlson Nelson’s favorite Edwin Markham poems:
He drew a circle that shut me out
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout
But love and I had the wit to win –
We drew a circle that took him in
Join the conversation: What historic moment, personal anecdote or favorite quotation inspires you to break down barriers and create a larger circle?
- Wendy Wehr, MCF V.P. of Communications and Information Services
No Comments » | 
collaboration, communication, diversity, leadership | 
Permalink
Posted by Wendy Wehr
November 3, 2008
Tired of all the negative political ads and partisan bickering? Me too.
But last week I heard about a bit of cross-sector collaboration that gave me renewed hope and optimism. Bill Blazar of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and Javier Morillo-Alicea of the Service Employees International Union Local 26 sat on the same stage and agreed wholeheartedly: Business and labor must work together for comprehensive immigration reform.
They were part of a day-long event called “Our Common Future: A Business Case for Immigration in Minnesota,” hosted by Neighborhood House and co-sponsored in part by MCF members The Saint Paul Foundation and The Minneapolis Foundation.
Keynote speaker was Tamar Jacoby, president and CEO of Immigration Works USA, a new national organization advancing immigration reform that works for all Americans – employers, workers and citizens. Her national perspective was reinforced by local facts. Minnesota State Economist Tom Stinson and Minnesota State Demographer Tom Gillaspy presented compelling data that showed that, without immigration, Minnesota will not have the human capital to fuel productivity, which is required for our future economic success.
I’m reminded of a few years ago when MCF and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits sponsored a joint conference themed “Common Ground for Common Good.” A lot of common ground on a sometimes divisive issue was discovered this week at Neighborhood House. Let’s hope advancing the common good comes next.
Join the conversation: How is your organization promoting information-sharing and cross-sector collaboration on society’s toughest issues? What surprising common ground have you found with others on the issues you care about most?
- Wendy Wehr, MCF V.P. of Communications and Information Services
No Comments » | 
collaboration, diversity, economy, government, public policy | 
Permalink
Posted by Wendy Wehr
October 13, 2008
Last week the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers (the national association of which the Minnesota Council on Foundations is a member) and the national Council on Foundations announced a new alliance between these two important national organizations. As one of the architects of this alliance, I felt it was important to share that our goal in bringing these two national organizations closer together in the work they do is to better serve the field of philanthropy at both the national and the local level.
I’ve been a long time proponent that “all philanthropy is local.” By that, I mean that most grantmakers do their work in their local communities, states or regions. So philanthropy as a whole and our local resources, such as our Minnesota Council on Foundations and its 188 member foundations, are best served by having a strong statewide association of grantmakers. We in turn rely on a national network of colleague organizations, such as the Forum and the Council, to provide thought leadership, effective products and services to grantmakers and efficient delivery models in which to serve our foundations and corporate giving programs in Minnesota and surrounding states where we have members.
This new alliance brings together the knowldege resources of the these two national organizations, along with those of the 32 regional associations serving America’s foundations and corporate giving programs, in an effort to better use the limited resources available for building and sustaining the infrastructure serving grantmaking organizations. Our goals are about efficiency and effectiveness. We hope to eliminate duplication of services, provide efficiencies in delivering high-quality services to local philanthropies, and to pool the knowledge of the philanthropic network of these important organizations.
To do that, our first project will be to develop a comprehensive “grantmaker education” framework. From that framework, new educational offerings can be developed nationally or locally, but with a more clear, comprehensive approach to grantmaker education and professional development than has been available in the past.
I’ve heard there is some confusion about whether this is a merger of national organizations. It is not. This is an alliance of two independent organizations that seeks to take the best of both organizations and develop a collaboration that better serves the needs and interests of grantmakers throughout the country. If successful, I’m sure we’ll see more cooperative efforts that will benefit the field of philanthropy for years to come.
Join the conversation: In what other ways can national and local organizations serving philanthropy achieve efficiencies and effective service delivery to the philanthropic community?
- Bill King, MCF president
2 Comments | 
collaboration, in the news, leadership, mcf | Tagged: Add new tag | 
Permalink
Posted by billking
September 18, 2008
The Minnesota Council on Foundations held a discussion on disaster response on Tuesday at the Red Cross - Twin Cities Chapter, to discuss how funders have stepped up to meet the challenges they’ve faced this past year brought on by the flooding in southeastern Minnesota, the I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, as well as Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Ike.
The most common themes to come out of the discussion were communication and collaboration — both were key factors in providing assistance. Communication was important both with donors and collaborators. Funders need to be sure their statement of intent — what they are going to do with the money they collect — is crystal clear so that donors will not feel misled later. The importance of early and constant streams of communication with other funders and the community programs could not be stressed enough. This saves time and money especially to help prevent duplication of efforts.
After the crisis has passed, it is important to take a moment to write down the lessons learned and to share them with others. All of the presenters thought it was important to remain in contact with one’s network so that it is easy to mobilize resources should it become necessary again.
Presenters included Charlie Cook, LSW, of Emergency Behavioral Health Professionals and Louisiana Spirit; Hazen Graves, Attorney, Faegre & Benson; Karen Kelley-Ariwoola, Minnesota Helps-Bridge Disaster Fund and The Minneapolis Foundation; Julia Ross, Disaster Outreach Coordinator, Hennepin County; Karen Erlenbusch, United Way of Olmsted County.
Many resources on disaster grantmaking are listed on our website at www.mcf.org/disasters.
A couple recent articles from the Chronicle of Philanthropy about disaster recovery:
- Lisa Johnson, MCF’s manager of professional development and e-learning
No Comments » | collaboration, communication, disasters | Permalink
Posted by Lisa Johnson
September 12, 2008
Local news:
- Local and National Foundations Taking a Keen Interest in Central Corridor Redevelopment
MinnPost: So far, 10 foundations have helped set up the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative and Learning Network. In June, the first employee was hired: coordinator Jonathan Sage-Martinson. The underlying mission is to maximize light rail’s benefits, “particularly for those who are most vulnerable and who would not benefit if there was not some kind of proactive action,” said Sage-Martinson.
- An Irreplaceable Loss Leads to an Increase in Giving
Star Tribune: Always wary of wealth, a successful business man grapples with the loss of a son by redoubling his philanthropic efforts.
- ‘U’ Announces $1.3m Arts Initiative
KSTP: Designed to support a broad range of faculty activities in the arts, humanities and design, the newly created ‘Imagine Fund’ is supported by a major gift from the McKnight Foundation and will begin this fall, with full implementation coming by 2009.
- Pooled Purchasing Program can Trim Costs for Nonprofits
MinnPost: Nonprofits looking to stretch their dollars should check out the U.S. Communities National Buying Program, a purchasing pool that helps state and local governments save money on printers, paper, furniture and more. Nonprofits that provide a public benefit also are eligible to use the program.
National news:
- IRS Releases New Form 990-EZ
Chronicle of Philanthropy: It’s the short version of its informational tax form for groups with 2008 receipts of less than $1 million. The tax agency said the new form — and its related instructions — is similar to earlier versions of the Form 990-EZ, although it includes updated schedules that coincide with the new Form 990. Both the new Form 990 and the new Form 990-EZ take effect for the 2008 tax year.
- Presidential Candidates Support Expanded National-Service Programs
Chronicle of Philanthropy: John McCain and Barack Obama both said on Thursday night that they support efforts to expand the country’s national-service programs. But Senator McCain, the Republican contender, said he was wary about too much government involvement. The presidential rivals were questioned separately by two journalists at Columbia University on the seventh anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
- America’s Second Harvest is now Feeding America
FeedingAmerica.org: “Our new name, Feeding America, directly conveys that we are providing access to food for people who need it. It also communicates the positive power of food to be a catalyst in people’s lives.”
- TV Show Helps Raise $100m to Fight Cancer
Reuters: A television celebrity fund-raiser aimed at accelerating research into the treatment of cancer has helped raise more than $100 million, organizers of the “Stand Up To Cancer” group said on Monday. Cancer survivors Christina Applegate, Patrick Swayze, Sheryl Crowe, cyclist Lance Armstrong and dozens of other celebrities took part in the one-hour special shown simultaneously on three U.S. television networks on Friday.
- Phelps To Donate $1 Million Olympic Bonus to Charity
Associated Press: Michael Phelps is starting his own charity and the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics made the first donation by committing the $1 million bonus he earned for his golden haul. The Michael Phelps Foundation will launch an eight-city U.S. tour in collaboration with Speedo, Phelps’ swimsuit sponsor that paid him the bonus, to visit children and share his Olympic experiences.
No Comments » | arts, collaboration, fundraising, in the news | Permalink
Posted by MCF Webmaster
August 26, 2008
My “Inclusivity: Just Do It” post from August 7th led to an interesting e-mail conversation with Shawn Lewis, a board member of the Pan African Community Endowment of The Saint Paul Foundation, an MCF member organization.
Lewis sent me some of his own “just do it” ideas to create career pathways that will increase diversity and inclusion in the field of philanthropy. He pointed out that more educational and employment opportunities are needed to welcome diverse candidates into the sector. He advocates for more developmental opportunities, too, such as internships, apprenticeships, fellowships and mentorships.
Lewis’ ideas reminded me of an article I read a couple months ago about an initiative in Cleveland, Ohio, to increase the diversity of nonprofits by identifying minority professionals for open board seats. The program, the Minority Board Member Pipeline Initiative, grew out of a response to an Urban Institute study that found that nonprofit boards of public charities are overwhelming white and disconnected from the communities they serve.
Increasing connections among grantmakers is another idea that Lewis proposed to me. He noted that more interaction between and among MCF and its strategic partners, such as Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, Hispanics in Philanthropy, Native Americans in Philanthropy and Minnesota Blacks in Philanthropy, will help everyone learn from each other.
Join the conversation: How do you think we should fill our field’s pipeline with talented, diverse candidates? If you’re a leader in the philanthropic or nonprofit communities, how did you gain the awareness and experience to achieve your position? What new connections and conversations between diverse groups will lead to greater inclusivity in our work?
- Wendy Wehr, MCF V.P. of Communications and Information Services
1 Comment | boards, collaboration, diversity, leadership | Permalink
Posted by Wendy Wehr
August 15, 2008
The Minnesota Early Learning Foundation’s new Parent Aware program has been profiled in several media outlets this week. The Parent Aware website describes the system as a rating tool “designed to recognize early educators for the quality of care they deliver and build on this quality by supporting their efforts at program improvement.”
Twin Cities Finance and Commerce has a long feature story about why the foundation decided to create this project:
The foundation is in its second year of creating a “market” for early learning as a way to improve early-learning opportunities — and thereby the number and quality of college graduates — in Minnesota. MELF, which is heavily funded by Cargill, McKnight and others, has created a ratings system around a structured early learning model — and says it’s empowering parents to use it.
“The expectation is that those numbers are not going to get better if we don’t do something about this,” said Duane Benson, the foundation’s executive director, who was recruited by Cargill.
Data gathered from MELF’s pilot sites, which are aiming for “four-star” status under the foundation’s new rating system, is expected to serve as a model for a large-scale private-public early-learning program in Minnesota. Whether that leads to state funding is unknown at this point.
(Finance and Commerce also profiles Benson in a separate article.)
General Mills Foundation executive director Ellen Goldberg Luger on why her foundation helps fund MELF:
“From the corporate citizenship perspective, General Mills wants all children to be prepared to enter kindergarten ready to learn. Also, we care about the workforce of the future. We know that an investment in a child’s early learning can assist that child in becoming a productive and contributing member of our society and communities.”
Parent Aware in other media:
No Comments » | collaboration, education, in the news | Permalink
Posted by Crystal Colby
What comes to your mind when you hear the word “community?” Since you’re a blog reader, you may immediately think of the growth of online communities . . . virtual spaces rather than geographic places.
