Program Date
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Video & Resources
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Program Information
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2011
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03/09/2011
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Education Funders Affinity Group Meeting - An Innovative Model for Education Reform
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The Ellis Center for Educational Excellence is focused on comprehensive, district-wide, long-term K-12 education reform in Arizona. Its approach is holistic and integrative, emphasizing both internal structural change at the classroom and administrative level as well as linkages with early education and high school.
Currently it is engaged in a partnership with Phoenix-based Creighton School District and WestEd (a noted policy research, training and technical assistance organization) to enhance both student achievement and district capacity for sustainable improvement in all phases of district operations. Already data show significant improvement in school labeling under Arizona Learns. Students' gains in reading proficiency, for example, suggest the real potential for applying new classroom-level teaching strategies and techniques in addition to stimulating leadership among principals and district-level management. In the future an experimental evaluation design will help determine whether the Creighton intervention has lasting effect on high school performance, graduation and post-secondary success.
Special thanks to Chase for sponsoring the Education Funders affinity group!
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02/24/2011
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Arizona’s Budget Challenges and Implications for Nonprofits
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ASU’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy has been tracking the Arizona budget process and will be presenting some of the key findings on ArizonaIndicators.org*. During this session, they provided an overview of the Arizona economy, summarized legislative responses to the budget shortfalls, and highlighted the projected impacts on state agencies like the Department of Education, Economic Security, and Department of Health Services. They then outlined the implications of these proposed cuts on Arizona’s nonprofits. Patrick McWhortor, CEO of The Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits then provided a brief report on the results of its recently completed survey on the financial circumstances of its nonprofit members. Ed Portnoy, Director of Grants Programs for the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust in Arizona, also provided a brief overview of the Homelessness and Hunger Funders Collaborative.
Thanks to the CHASE for sponsoring this program.
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2010
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12/16/2010
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AGF Annual Meeting - Civil Society, Philanthropy, and the Fate of the Commons
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One of the greatest challenges facing democracy in the twenty-first century is that of sustaining a healthy civil society, which depends on managing the tension between individual and collective interests. Many historians see the loss of the civil society as a major reason for the fall of the Roman Empire. Acknowledging the notably nasty tone of recent election cycles and the apparent unwillingness of elected officials to work together to solve the serious problems facing this nation, it seems fair to say that civil society in the U.S. is at risk.
In his talk, Bruce Sievers, author of Civil Society, Philanthropy, and the Fate of the Commons, shared what he sees as the major components of a civil society and highlighted what he thinks is missing in modern society. Drawing upon his years spent working in the philanthropic sector; Sievers discussed how philanthropic foundations can play a more effective role in promoting civil society. He explained why he feels that modern philanthropy is going in the wrong direction, focusing too much on narrow goals rather than working to strengthen the fundamental platform required to achieve public good - civil society.
Special thanks to the Flinn Foundation for sponsoring this session.
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12/8/2010
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First Things First
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Now that the elections are behind us and First Things First (FTF) survived the ballot initiative to sweep its funds, we thought this would be a good time to learn more about the organization and their plans to improve early childhood education in Arizona. We explored the lessons learned from their recent public education and advocacy efforts, and what challenges they anticipate in the coming year as state budget battles ensue.
Rhian Evans Allvin, Executive Director shared her experiences over the past year as CEO of First Things First and Nadine Basha, founder and board member joined us and provided further insight.
Thanks to the CHASE for sponsoring this program.
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11/18/2010
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Supporting Community Engagement - Influencing Public Policy
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As drivers of innovation and positive social change, foundations are increasingly using advocacy -- and supporting their grantees' policy efforts -- to advance their goals and increase their impact. Some, like the Ohio based Needmor Fund, now focus their grantmaking exclusively on community organizing activities across the country. In Arizona, a few foundations like St. Luke’s Health Initiatives have invested in public policy and advocacy efforts for years, while others like Arizona Community Foundation and Flinn Foundation have recently launched public policy initiatives. The McMiles Foundation, a relatively new, small, local, family foundation has chosen to support advocacy through education.
Many foundations, however, find the IRS rules regarding funding advocacy to be confusing and choose not to engage in that arena, potentially limiting their efforts to achieve real social change. This program provided funders with an understanding of the significant benefits of investing in community engagement and public policy as well as greater clarity about the legal constraints that apply to public and private funders.
Speaker:
Frank Sanchez, Program Officer, Needmor Fund
Responder Panel:
Roger Hughes, Executive Director, St. Luke’s Health Initiatives
Jack Jewett, CEO, Flinn Foundation
Pat Miles, CEO, McMiles Foundation
Moderator:
Jacky Alling, VP of Programs, Arizona Community Foundation
Thanks to the McMiles Foundation for sponsoring this program.
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10/13/2010
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Philanthropy Awareness Initiative
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Research conducted by PAI suggests that philanthropy faces an awareness deficit among even the most engaged citizens. Only four in ten can name a foundation. Only one in ten can identify a foundation’s impact on an issue they care about. We’d expect those on the frontlines of community improvement to know something about foundations that exist to support their work. Most do not.
When our economy was booming, few worried that the public didn’t understand the important role of foundations. In fact many foundations considered it a misuse of funds to advertise their good works. However, in our current economic climate, governments are seeking under every proverbial “rock” for new revenues. Some view foundations with their billions of dollars in assets, as an appealing potential income source. It is essential that foundations make a concerted effort to increase public understanding of the important role they play in building/sustaining our social fabric.
During this session, the presenters shared more of PAI’s findings, and then explored what individual foundations across the country are doing and can do to increase public awareness and understanding of philanthropy. One focus was on the unique role that trustees can play as foundation ambassadors. They also addressed what foundations can do collectively to generate meaningful dialogue between grantmakers and leaders in the public and private sector.
Presenters:
° Marcia Sharp, Principle, Millenium Communications Group
° Mark Sedway, Project Director, Philanthropy Awareness Initiative
Thanks to the Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona for sponsoring this program.
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09/30/2010
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The State of Latino Philanthropy in Arizona
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While Hispanics have long supported informal charitable activities, they have not had a strong tradition of systematic or formal charitable giving. Currently, Hispanics represent 30% (2 million) of Arizona’s population, ranking Arizona fifth in the US in total number of Hispanics.
The program on September 30 provided a report on the Hispanics in Philanthropy Funder’s Collaborative project in Arizona as well as exciting new philanthropic entities that have evolved from this three-year endeavor. This includes the development of the Latinos Unidos Fund and Latina Giving Circle at the Arizona Community Foundation. The program was open to nonprofits and funders.
Panel Members:
° Ricardo Torres, publisher/CEO, Latino Perspectives
° Tony Banegas, Program Officer, Arizona Community Foundation
° Belen Gonzalez, Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and Volunteer Coordinator for the Latina Giving Circle
° Delores Retana, Lead Consultant to AZ HIP Collaborative grantees
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08/26/2010
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Using Community Assessments as an Evaluation Tool
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In the current economic-crisis, with state funding for human service programs continuously being cut, it is more important than ever that all funders have accurate and compelling data to help decide how best to allocate scarce resources. First Things First (FTF) is a grantmaking organization that is committed to ongoing and rigorous analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to ensure desirable program outcomes. FTF shared its findings and evaluation process with those who attended.
Location: Flagstaff Aquaplex, Flagstaff
Panel Members:
° Dr. Amy Kemp, Assistant Director for Evaluation, First Things First
° Susan Brutschy, President of Applied Survey Research
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06/24/2010
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How Arts and Culture Are Surviving the Economic Recession
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Our panel discussed the recession and how it is impacting Arts and Culture in Arizona.
Location: Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix
Panel Members:
° Casey Blake, Arizona Commission on the Arts
° Carol Kratz, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
° Steve Martin, Childsplay
° Nancy Wolter, City of Mesa Arts and Cultural Division
° Jacky Alling, Arizona Community Foundation - Moderator
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06/09/2010
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Education Funders Affinity Group
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Kate Walsh, CEO of the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) discussed her organization's efforts to reform post-secondary teacher education in the U.S. NCTQ launched a project in partnership with US News and World Report to rate each of the nation's 1,400 education schools relative to a set of standards defining high quality teacher preparation. A similar effort pursued a century ago resulted in the overhaul of medical training in the US.
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05/27/2010
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Permanent Supportive Housing - A Community Approach
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Our panel discussed Permanent Supportive Housing and the reality of ending homelessness in Arizona.
Location: Horace Steele Commons, Phoenix
Panel Members:
° Charlene Flaherty, Senior Program Manager, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
° Mark Holleran, CEO, Central Arizona Shelter Services
° Lois Savage, President, The Lodestar Foundation
° Amy Schwabenlender, Vice President, Community Impact Valley of the Sun United Way
° Brian Spicker, Valley of the Sun United Way - Moderator
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03/26/2010
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Conversations with Our CEOs - Philanthropy Professionals Rising Affinity Group
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AGF's Philanthropy Professionals Rising Affinity Group had Conversations with our CEOs. A panel of AGF member CEOs was available to answer questions and offer advice to the next generation of philanthropic leaders in Arizona. Members had the opportunity to learn best practices and gain advice from seasoned professionals in Arizona’s philanthropic sector.
The CEO Panel included:
° Patricia Miles, the McMiles Foundation
° Judy Mohraz, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
° Kevin Ruegg, Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education
° Steve Seleznow, The Arizona Community Foundation
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03/25/2010
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Funder Role in Mitigating Impact of Human Service Budget Cuts
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With tax revenue declining as a result of the recession and budget reserves largely drained, the vast majority of states are making spending cuts that hurt families and reduce necessary services. These cuts, in turn, will make the recession worse because families and businesses have less to spend in their local economies. Federal recovery act dollars greatly reduced the extent, severity, and economic impact of these cuts in 2009, but are an unlikely resource for 2010 and beyond.
Proposed cuts in the 2010 budget, if adopted, will result in even more severe impacts to Arizona’s most vulnerable citizens. Many funders are wondering what funders can/should do to mitigate the impact of these budget cuts. Some are exploring what role they might play in encouraging the generation of additional revenues. In this session, our panel members conveyed the full extent of the crisis and shared thoughts about the role funders can play.
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02/18/2010
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Improving Understanding of Nonprofit Financials
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This program consisted of two sessions:
The first being Linking Money to Mission. A skill-building workshop that taught workshop participants to read between the lines and comprehend the story behind the numbers. With a foundation's investments on the line, reading financial statements is a critical part of a grantmaker's job. Participants reviewed financial statements from sample grantees to learn what grantmakers should consider when reviewing nonprofit financials, including: what to look for in financial statements (beyond the basics), the importance of capital structure, how to measure and benchmark nonprofit liquidity, and the financial effects of facilities, growth, and endowments.
The second session (which is represented on the video) was titled Funder Role in Ensuring Financially Stable Nonprofits. This presentation introduced a new framework for understanding philanthropic investments in nonprofits which distinguishes between building an enterprise versus buying from an enterprise. It also highlighted strategies funders can use to enhance nonprofit sustainability.
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01/21/2010
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Lessons Learned from Funder Collaboratives
AGF - Funder Collaboration Resource Page
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Collaboration is a challenging undertaking and nonprofits and funders alike are generally reluctant to engage in such "unnatural acts" with out compelling incentives. However, the lessons learned from those organizations which do choose to collaborate suggest that the myriad of benefits of working together far outweigh the costs. Arizona funders are increasingly engaged in collaborative activities. Our January program highlighted the lessons learned from two local funder collaboratives.
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