March 6, 2009
Photo: PaoloMazzo
This week’s release of the NCRP report Criteria for Philanthropy at Its Best is creating quite a stir. Just read Paul Brest’s Huffington Post commentary and Trista Harris’ response. (Harris is executive director of Headwaters Foundation for Justice, an MCF member.)
Personally, I think the controversy is a good thing. But I’m a firm believer that healthy conflict can lead to creative, higher level solutions. No matter whether you agree with NCRP’s recommendations, this new work is forcing us all to examine core questions about the impact and effectiveness of philanthropy in our society.
Years ago I worked at a communications agency that used a simple “So what?” exercise to guide clients from talking about features to promoting the highest level benefits of their products or services. I’ve sometimes used the same device to develop more compelling messages for nonprofits: “We train 500 adult literacy volunteers each year.” “So what?” “The volunteers taught 2,000 refugees who learned English.” “So what?” “The refugees can now fill out job applications, decipher a bus schedule, follow medical instructions, read to their kids…” You get the idea.
If we all want to reach the ultimate ”So what?” of philanthropy — to enhance the public good — isn’t it useful to debate how to most effectively achieve that goal? And if we all start to more rigorously ask ourselves and each other the hard questions about impact and accountability, doesn’t this hullabaloo serve a useful purpose?
Join the conversation: What tangible steps is your foundation taking to maximize your impact? When you examine your work, can you answer the “So what?” question with confidence?
- Wendy Wehr, MCF Vice President of Communications and Information Services
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Posted by Wendy Wehr
March 6, 2009
Economy:
- Some Nonprofits Can’t Touch Their Money
AP: Rules governing how nonprofits in some states use their endowments date to the 1970s, when most states adopted a uniform law that prohibits withdrawing money from endowments that fall below their “historic dollar value” — the money given to create the endowment, plus any later gifts.
- Charities Say Government is Ignoring Them in Crisis
New York Times: Last week, nonprofit leaders representing thousands of organizations across the country signed on to a manifesto that calls on political leaders to support the work of nonprofits.
- Many Big Companies Plan to Give Less This Year
Chronicle of Philanthropy: Forty-five percent of businesses surveyed by the Conference Board said they had already reduced the amount they plan to donate this year. Another 16 percent were considering such cuts.
- Arts Get Whacked by Rich as Companies Face Losses in Endowments
Bloomberg: Corporations and wealthy individuals are donating less to nonprofits, with arts groups taking the biggest hit, according to two new studies.
Local:
National:
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Posted by MCF Webmaster
March 5, 2009
Faced with a case of writer’s block as I tried to compose my first blog post for the Minnesota Council on Foundations, I decided to turn to my ally in times like these – Google – and I typed in “corporate and nonprofit partnerships.”
Google shot back 1.9 million results! A quick perusal of those at the top of the list revealed some authors’ feelings that corporate-nonprofit partnerships are inherently flawed, because of the disconnect between a company’s business objectives and a nonprofit’s mission. Others believe that the opportunities posed by marrying a company’s resources (cash, expertise, products, facilities) and a nonprofit’s ability to access and address community needs can lead to unlimited positive outcomes.
In the past, it seemed that if partnerships were formed, these were usually instigated by the nonprofit. It was the nonprofit that fueled the passion and mission of the partnership, while the company provided the financial foundation. Has this changed?
Even though she wrote it in the 1990s, Donna L. Cummings’ essay “Building Relationships with Grantseekers” sounds a still-relevant rallying cry to businesses:
In this era of mergers and acquisitions, downsizing and restructuring, and cost reduction and cost effectiveness, relationships (that is, partnerships) have emerged as an important strategy for delivering services and effecting positive change. … Fully engaging in problem solving, shaping solutions, and developing and implementing strategic plans is becoming a requirement for participation in the life of communities today. … Strong partnerships must be forged to tackle the complex issues our society faces, and corporations must be fully participant members in these partnerships.
(Cummings’ essay appears in The Corporate Contributions Handbook: Devoting Private Means to Public Needs, edited by James P. Shannon and published by the Council on Foundations.)
They didn’t appear in my Google search, but I know there have to be numerous examples in Minnesota of companies and nonprofits building effective partnerships that enhance both mission and business goals. I’d like to hear about these programs, projects, partnerships.
The spring issue of the MCF’s Giving Forum newsletter will focus on corporate philanthropy. Look for some of these partnerships to be highlighted.
- Chris Noonan, MCF Communications Associate
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Posted by Chris Noonan
March 4, 2009
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| Photo by Steve Neidorf |
The “Nancy” Award honors the spirit and legacy of Nancy Latimer, whose leadership, passion and commitment to children are exemplified by award recipients.
Nominees should:
- exemplify unwavering dedication and outstanding contributions to the well-being of young children through program innovation, policy, advocacy and/or mentorship
- demonstrate persistence, humility, vision, courage, tenacity, servant leadership, humanity and compassion
To nominate, include the following information in up to two pages:
- For individuals: A brief biographical and professional overview, noting the nominee’s significant activities and accomplishments on behalf of children in Minnesota.
For groups: A brief overview of the significant activities and accomplishments of the group on behalf of children in Minnesota.
- Name and contact information of the nominator, as well as a brief statement of the connection between the nominator and nominee.
- Names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers of two individuals who can provide additional information about the nominee, if needed.
E-mail nominations to Vicki Itzkowitz, MCF Early Childhood Funders Network consultant, at vitzkowitz@aol.com by April 10, 2009.
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Posted by MCF Webmaster
March 3, 2009
From the national Council on Foundations:
On Monday, March 2, 2009 Representatives Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Wally Herger (R-CA) introduced the Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2009 (H.R. 1250) in the House of Representatives. This bill contains the same language as the bill Mr. Pomeroy and Mr. Herger introduced in the previous Congress (H.R.1419). The Council on Foundations strongly supports this legislation. Read the Council’s issue paper on our position.
If enacted, H.R. 1250 would make the charitable rollover incentive permanent and allow taxpayers who make IRA distributions to donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, and private foundations to qualify for the incentive. The bill would also lift the $100,000 cap on distributions and allow planned gifts beginning at age 59-and-a-half.
Urge Your Representative to Co-sponsor H.R. 1250:
It is critical that we communicate to members of Congress that the philanthropic sector supports an IRA charitable rollover that allows distributions to donor-advised funds to qualify for the incentive. Use our Policy Action Center to send a letter to your representative asking him or her to co-sponsor the Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2009. The more co-sponsors on the bill (particularly co-sponsors from the House Ways and Means Committee), the better the chance that a full IRA charitable rollover will be enacted into law.
MCF supports this effort, which is part of our 2009 Legislative Statement [PDF -- see page 6].
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Posted by MCF Webmaster
Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine has released its annual ranking of the 100 best corporate citizens. The final results are based on the company’s performance in seven categories. In order of importance: environment and employee relations (tied for most impact on the overall score), climate change, human rights, financial, philanthropy, and governance.
Xcel Energy Foundation
