A School’s-in-Session Spotlight: Mardag Foundation’s Support of Education

August 31, 2010

To quote the over-used (but it’s used over and over again for a reason) cliché, “It takes a village,” it truly does take a whole host of people and programs to strive to make sure that every student who walks through a school door this fall has the best opportunity to learn, thrive and succeed.

Now that my kids are off to school once again, this is the perfect opportunity to spend a moment reflecting on all that’s made possible by the support of education funders and the perseverance and creativity of nonprofits that serve our students.

For the facts and figure on education giving in our state, take a look at the Minnesota Council on Foundations’ Giving in Minnesota 2009 Edition.

To complement the data, I went looking for an education funder to highlight today and came across the Mardag Foundation’s recently published (online) 2009 annual report.

Like MCF, the Mardag Foundation, which is an MCF member, celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009. Over that period, the foundation has granted more than $51 million to nonprofits, “a nice return on (founder) Agnes Elmer Ober’s original investment of $5 million,” writes foundation President Timothy M. Ober.

Reflecting the foundation’s focus on “improving the quality of life in Minnesota for children, seniors and other at-risk populations and for programs in education and arts,” here’s a sampling of the education-related grants Mardag made last year:

  • The Alliance of Early Childhood Professionals’ Hands-on Teach-to-Learn program helps immigrant child-care providers learn how to ensure that the children they care for have the skills necessary to start kindergarten.
  • Century College’s Preparing to Achieve a College Education (PACE) program gives low-income St. Paul juniors, selected because they have the potential to succeed in college but need extra support, the chance to take Century College classes for credit while receiving academic counseling and tutoring.
  • The Saint Paul Foundation’s Words Work! initiative is an early literacy program that helps teachers through mentoring and professional development and sees parents as partners who reinforce reading at home.
  • Admission Possible, dedicated to helping low-income high school students prepare for and earn admission to college, is launching an Alumni Services Pilot Program.
  • Inver Hills Community College’s Access and Opportunity Center of Excellence offers services to generate academic success for underrepresented middle and high school students and their families by increasing high school graduation rates, strengthening college readiness, and developing collaborative relationships between high school and college teachers. Called Project Breakthrough, the center’s initiatives include five programs from one-day events with motivational speakers, active learning sessions and financial information for students and family members to Summer Bridge programs that provide college courses at no cost to underrepresented students the summer before beginning their first semester of college.
  • The Minnesota Literacy Council’s is expanding its Adult Basic Education programs and services on St. Paul’s East Side.

As schools open a new year, my thanks to the many education funders and nonprofits they work with, who, like Mardag and the organizations noted above, are providing invaluable school supplies.

- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF communications associate

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Capacity, Culture, Commitment and Comfort: Finding Public Policy Strategies That Fit Your Foundation

July 20, 2010

How much change can a foundation catalyze by simply – albeit generously – writing checks? Not as much as it could if it also engaged in public policy activities. In fact, public policy work should be viewed as an essential part of a foundation’s efforts, say several members of the Minnesota Council on Foundations.

In our Summer issue of Giving Forum, “Public Policy and Philanthropy: Many Roads Lead to the Same Destination – Change,” John Larsen, trustee and administrator of the John Larsen Foundation, says, “Ultimately, the work of our foundation is about creating real, systemic change, and that can only happen when we start talking to government. Whether you’re a small family foundation like us, or a very large foundation, we all need shifts in public policy in order to achieve really significant lasting social change.”

The challenge is that working to achieve shifts in public policy is often equated with lobbying. And the thought of walking up the steps of the Capitol or testifying before a legislative committee is more than many funders can fathom.

Lobbying, however, is not the sole avenue to influencing public decision making and advocating for causes. Although it is the most recognized public policy engagement tactic, it is only one of 18 distinct policy strategies that Julia Coffman outlines in “A User’s Guide to Advocacy Evaluation Planning,” published by the Harvard Family Research Project.

A “Framework of Public Policy Activities,” which we include in Giving Forum, also includes using electronic outreach and social media, coalition and network building, grassroots organizing, briefings and presentations, polling, pilot projects, research investigating issues and identifying solutions and policymaker education, among others – all of which can impact public decision making, which ultimately shapes policy development, approval and implementation.

A foundation can engage anywhere along the continuum, pursuing those activities that fit its capacity, culture, commitment and comfort levels. A public policy activity that feels right for one foundation may not fit another.

Many foundations choose a combination of strategies, leveraging their resources to: raise awareness of where the public stands on particular issues; bring together divergent points of view to first converse then collaborate; empower community members to advocate on their own behalf by providing technical assistance; increase the capacity of nonprofits to mobilize others; identify messages that resonate with policymakers and the public; determine what would happen if the status quo was allowed to prevail; aggregate what is known already about an issue and put that to work to further discussion; or identify possible solutions and best practices.

These MCF members have each chosen distinct strategies to impact public decision making that fit their capacity, culture, commitment and comfort level. Read more about their work in our just-published Giving Forum:

Lead article:

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation: An outgrowth of its grantmaking and programmatic activities, community dialogues and business loan work, SMIF’s public policy activities, including building coalition and networks and partnering with the media to draw attention to the issues and how public policy could impact the success the foundation seeks.

The Minneapolis Foundation: As part of the School Readiness Funders Coalition, a group of funders with diverse strengths and abilities in advocacy work, The Minneapolis Foundation brings to the group its ability to lobby and testify at legislative hearings to advocate for the coalitions “Agenda to Achieve Learning Readiness by 2020.”

John Larsen Foundation: When awarding grants supporting work toward LGBT equality, the foundation  considers if educating policymakers is an end goal of the nonprofit’s work and if the organization has a research plan and a track record of communicating those findings to policymakers.

Indian Land Tenure Foundation: Striving to ensure that lands within the original boundaries of reservations is acquired, owned and managed by Indians, the foundation views education about land issues a priority, as well as identification then pursuit of strategies for achieving legal reform.

Women’s Foundation of Minnesota: The explosion of social media has created a new landscape for the foundation to leverage its expertise to educate, engage and broaden its reach to shift attitudes, behaviors and institutions that limit equality for women and girls.

Voices of Philanthropy articles:

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Identifying partners best qualified to successfully implement strategies and measuring what’s important to guide future initiatives drive the foundation’s advocacy work.

Initiative Foundation: Based on the belief that local people are the key to strengthening communities, the foundation increases civic engagement by providing training, technical assistance, resource referral and grants to help citizen-based teams develop and carry out strategic plans.

While these efforts are diverse, the common thread amongst them is the recognition by these foundations that strategically developing goals to influence public decision making and intentionally engaging in public policy activities and advocacy work can move systems change forward.

- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF communications associate

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Don’t Close the Achievement Gap, Prevent It

June 29, 2010

In recent years, I’ve heard a lot about efforts to close the achievement gap, a national embarrassment that is especially evident in Minnesota.

Last week I attended “Window of Opportunity: Babies Can’t Wait, The 4th Annual Nancy Latimer Convening for Children and Youth” co-sponsored by the Minnesota Early Childhood Funders Network and the Minnesota Council on Foundations. Evidence presented there was clear – poor children (and their families) need services and intervention, long before the children enter school, to ensure an achievement gap doesn’t start.

Dr. Richard Chase of Wilder Research puts it this way, “We have to stop talking about how to close the achievement gap. We have to think about how to prevent the achievement gap.”

Chase talked about the necessity of multiple, coordinated services to achieve this and defined three essentials that very young children need to thrive:

  • A caring and responsive caregiver
  • A language-rich environment
  • Opportunities to safely explore

In our state, 15 to 20 percent of our babies are vulnerable. Their families live in poverty, increasing the risk that they simply won’t get what they need to succeed. In 2008, 60 percent of American Indian babies in Minnesota were born into poverty, 42 percent of African American, 33 percent of Hispanic, 10 percent of Asian, and 8 percent of white babies. Low-income children of color make up a growing portion of Minnesota’s babies today and of Minnesota’s students and workforce tomorrow. Their success matters.

Dr. Megan Gunnar, a professor at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development also spoke. She introduced the theory of “serve and return,” a continual process of the child “serving something out” and how, in a responsive environment, their “serve is returned.”

This high stakes game doesn’t happen on a tennis court. Instead, imagine a baby smiling and cooing at mom and then waiting for a smile or encouraging word to come back. If she doesn’t get a response, she tries less and less often, and ultimately her brain development slows. An unresponsive environment just doesn’t provide what a child needs.

Why the lack of response? Caregivers in low-income families are depressed or emotionally stressed 15 to 20 percent of the time, rendering them ineffective at the all important “serve and return.” Lack of access to affordable mental health care and other services exacerbates the problem.

For both speakers, the answer is clear. Increase funding for the whole child, the whole family and the whole community and do it now.

Chase summarized, “Close the gap between what science is telling us and what we do. Investing in early childhood gives us the biggest bang for our buck. It’s certainly a better investment than stadiums or airlines.”

Awards Presented
This year’s “Nancy” awards, presented in honor of Nancy Latimer, went to Jane Kretzmann, senior program officer at the Minnesota Community Foundation (an MCF member) for her work promoting the healthy development of young children, including development of the Project for Babies, and Arthur J. Rolnick, economist, senior vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis for showing the link between early childhood education and healthy communities and economies.

- Susan Stehling, MCF

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Thank You to the “Unorganized” Philanthropists

June 14, 2010

Last Friday wrapped up another school year in the life of the Noonans.

As I reflected back on all the opportunities afforded my children over the past nine months, I thought I’d write this blog as a sort of thank-you blast to all the very generous donors who made these opportunities a reality.

The Lions, Rotary clubs, VFW posts, restaurants, shops, businesses, cities, sheriff/police/fire departments gave cash, gift certificates, discounts, products, time, expertise and more that were put to work in the classroom or were used by teachers and schools to purchase needed music and physical education equipment, updated technology and resource books; fund field trip transportation and visiting artists; reward students’ achievements; given as silent auction items and carnival prizes at fundraisers; and more.

At an end-of-year program last week, I marveled at the community and business support of our schools. Thank you for responding to what I’m sure feels like an overwhelming number of requests for support.

While I work in the field of organized philanthropy and often read about the great work being done by both large and small foundations, I wanted to take time today to give a shout-out to those small, local organizations and businesses that give because they receive a letter from a neighbor or take the time to listen to a random person who walks through their door.

- Chris Murakami Noonan, MCF communications associate

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Log In Thursday For Latest on Education Reform

June 9, 2010

The Minneapolis Foundation is hosting a special Minnesota Meeting live webcast on education reform on June 10 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Co-sponsored by the Itasca Project and the Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi Foundation for Children, the Minnesota Meeting event will feature Alex Johnston, chief executive officer of ConnCAN, widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading state-level education reform organizations.

Johnston has led ConnCAN’s effort to advocate for state policies that will ensure every Connecticut child has access to a great public school. In 2009, ConnCAN achieved three major legislative victories, including overhauling the state’s teacher certification rules.

Following Johnston’s remarks will be a panel and audience discussion of educational reform efforts in Minnesota, including a reflection on the outcomes of the recent legislative session. According to The Minneapolis Foundation, Minnesota’s long-term vitality requires an education system that is flexible and innovative, in which every child has an equal chance to succeed.

To register for the webcast, click here.  Community members can also weigh in on the state of education in Minnesota on the Minnesota Meeting blog.

The event will be broadcast live on the web from Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) and will later air on TPT’s Minnesota Channel. The webcast will also be available for download and rebroadcast later. Visit MinnesotaMeeting.com for updates.

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Funding Insight Directly From Funders

February 23, 2010

Everyone is talking about the “new reality,” but what exactly is this, and what could it mean for nonprofits, funders and the relationship between the two?

How is this new reality affecting funding and grantseeking? How can nonprofits access insight directly from those who review grant applications and make funding decisions?

Drawing on its connections with grantmakers who account for nearly $900 million in grants each year in Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Foundations has encapsulated grantmaker knowledge and insight into its Grantseeking for Beginners seminars to help nonprofits learn what makes a proposal rise to the top, get noticed and get funded in an era of intense competition for extremely tight resources.

A group of corporate grantmakers and family, private and community foundations recently shared these nuggets of advice for grantseekers:

  • “Those who are able to convey their message the best will win out in a tighter grant reality.  Poorly written applications will not get noticed, and grant funders may no longer be as accessible to work with groups to help them improve their application.”
  • “I would encourage collaboration and research to avoid duplication.  In a tighter funding reality, grantmakers will be looking closely at the amount of collaboration between organizations and seek to ensure that there is as little duplication of efforts as possible in the grants that they award.”
  • “Don’t assume ‘same as last year’ when it comes to a foundation’s contact information, focus or funding guidelines. Many foundations have made internal changes, tightened budgets and changed processes.”
  • “Prepare and educate yourselves on the funder. Visit websites first; don’t call with questions on information that can be found online.  Use that information to your benefit to show you have educated yourself. Organizations need to do homework.”

If you’d like to learn more directly from funders, attend one of MCF’s Grantseeking for Beginners one-day seminars – we’re offering four this year, including some in greater Minnesota.

First up is 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 3 in St. Paul. Sign up by February 25 to save $30 off the registration fee.

At this session, learn all the basics – from researching relevant funding sources to developing strong and effective grant applications. See the proposal review and decision-making process from grantmakers’ points of view during a grantmaker panel discussion featuring:

If you can’t make the seminar, but want to learn more about a resource that can help you do your grantseeking homework on funders, check out Minnesota Grantmakers Online, MCF’s searchable database of funders and grants.

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Posted by Chris Noonan

Media Roundup

December 15, 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).

Bush Foundation Invests In Teacher Prep Programs
(Minnesota Public Radio) This month the Bush Foundation announced a bold, $40 million, 10-year initiative to improve teacher preparation in 14 colleges in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Opinion: High Demand for Aid Exceeds Folks’ Supply of Empathy
(The Star Tribune) In this powerful and very personal article, columnist Jon Tevlin talks about his own experiences growing up in a family that relied on food stamps for a time to survive, and how he sees troubling stereotypes about the poor that he became familiar with then, playing out in the giving (or sometimes the lack there of) today.

Knight Foundation Grants $1 Million to United States Artists to Support Artists, Art Initiatives
(The Daily Tell) As a part of its ongoing commitment to support the arts, the Knight Foundation has announced a 5-year, $1 million commitment to the grantmaking and advocacy organization United States Artists.

The Minnesota Wild Launches Foundation
(Twin Cities Business Magazine) The Minnesota Wild has launched their own foundation which aims to support educational initiatives, children’s medical support and the advancement of youth hockey in the state of Minnesota.

Northwest Area Foundation Awards $500,000 to Native American Prosperity Building Efforts
(Press Release) The Northwest Area Foundation recently awarded three grants, totally $500,000 to Native American organizations. Intended to support the growth of financial and human assets, the awards are a part of the Foundation’s strategic plan to redress the inequalities and poverty that many Native communities and other minorities are confronted with.

United Way Launches WarmSafeFed.org for Families in Need
(MPP Southwest Journal) The Greater Twin Cities United Way has launched a new website and a new grant to help families in need. The website WarmSafeFed.org has detailed information about the struggle that many families are facing in current economy. The grant money is intended to support area shelters as they assist homeless families in their transition from shelter to stable housing.

Did we leave something out? Please email your Minnesota grantmaker and nonprofit news to Cary Lenore Walski, MCF web communications associate, at cwalski@mcf.org, or leave a comment to this entry below.

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