News & Notes is a monthly email newsletter designed to keep the Arizona community updated on local and national developments in the philanthropic sector. This service is provided free of charge by the Arizona Grantmakers Forum - please feel free to forward this on to your colleagues.
Impact of Recession on AZ Nonprofits
On June 26th, AGF presented a panel of four nonprofit community leaders who discussed the current economic state of nonprofit organizations in Arizona. Panel members included Patricia Lewis, ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation; Patrick McWhorter, Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits; Dana Naimark, Children's Action Alliance; and Brian Spicker, Valley
of the Sun United Way.
The program began with Brian Spicker and Dana Naimark, presenting statistics and other data informing participants of how nonprofits are faring in today's economic climate. Mr. Spicker presented the findings of the Governor's Survey of Arizona Nonprofit and Faith-Based Communities, which indicated a general increase in demand for services, with a concurrent decline or stagnation in donations. The full panel then discussed the particulars of this phenomenon in more detail, including what funders can do to offset these negative economic impacts. Besides simply increasing funding (not always realistic), a few of the ideas suggested include encouraging advocacy among nonprofits, as well as encouraging and funding collaborations. A video of the June program is available for AGF members at the Members Only section of our website - click here, then click on Resources.
Upcoming Programs
To reserve a seat at any of the programs listed below, please email AGF at support@azgrantmakers.org (unless otherwise noted).
Small and Family Foundation Network Meeting
September 10, 2008
11:30am - 1:30pm
Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust: 2201 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 600B
The Small & Family Foundation Network is a group of representatives of member and non-member small foundations in Arizona, who meet to discuss important issues relevant to the unique work that they do. This meeting will focus on a variety of issues affecting small foundations, determined by our attendees. Any staff or trustee of a foundation with few or no staff members is welcome to attend this meeting! Click
here to learn more or to register. Open to funders only!
Education Funders Affinity Group
September 15, 2008
11:30am - 1:30pm
Helios Education Foundation: 2415 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 500
The purpose of this Affinity Group is to provide peer networking and learning opportunities for grantmakers wanting to improve the educational system in Arizona. The group provides funders with the opportunity to find out which organizations are funding what, identify what aspects of education funding they would like to explore further, and begin to address some simple questions participants may have using the expertise
gathered in the room. This meeting will address some of the questions raised at our first meeting on May 19th, and encourage dialogue about new issues and funding opportunities. Open to funders only - small fee for non-AGF members. Click here to register.
Reviewing Nonprofit Financials
September 25, 2008
11:30am - 1:30pm
Arizona Community Foundation: 2201 E. Camelback Rd., Suite 202
Rob Leslie, Senior VP and Director of Nonprofit Services for Mutal of Omaha Bank (formerly First National Bank of Arizona), will discuss what funders should look for when reviewing nonprofit financial documents. The program will include a discussion of the new 990 requirements. Open to AGF members only!
Click here to register.
Member News
US Airways Announces Corporate Giving Applications
US Airways is pleased to announce that corporate giving applications are now available on-line. Please visit their website at www.usairways.com/corporategiving to review all corporate giving guidelines. US Airways contributes through the following three channels of giving and organizations may apply for funding in all channels should they meet the eligibility requirements: Corporate Giving Program, The US Airways Community Foundation, and The US
Airways Education Foundation. As of 8/01/08, all requests must be submitted through the on-line application process - faxed, emailed or incomplete requests will not be considered. Should you have any questions regarding the US Airways’ Corporate Giving Program, please visit their FAQ section at http://www.usairways.com/awa/Content/FAQs/corporategiving.aspx.
Announcements from the World of Philanthropy
- Charities Ask Congress to Raise Tax Deduction for Mileage
- Nonprofit Times Announces Sector's Top 50 for 2008
- Philanthropic Divide Between States Widens
- Promoting Charity Websites on a Tight Budget
News and Resources
U.S. Volunteerism Continues to Slide
For the second straight year, the number of Americans volunteering their time, as well as the overall rate of volunteerism, has dropped, a new study says. Last year, 60.8 million people in the U.S. volunteered their time, down from 61.2 million in 2006, says "Volunteering in America: 2008 State and City Trends and Rankings," released by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also launched an interactive website containing detailed data at national, state and city levels. Click
here to read more.
Nonprofits Face Constraints on Public Policy Involvement
Although U.S. nonprofits are widely involved in efforts to influence public policies that affect them and the people they serve, they are often constrained by tight budgets, limited staff resources, and confusing legal restrictions, a new report from the Johns Hopkins University Nonprofit Listening Post Project finds. Click here to read more.
Index Shows Nonprofit Fundraisers Less Optimistic
Nonprofits are somewhat less optimistic about the current and future fundraising climate than they were six months and a year ago, the latest edition of the Philanthropic Giving Index (PGI) from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University finds. With the exception of direct mail, respondents indicated that they have experienced less success with all types of fundraising techniques in the first half of 2008 than they had projected in December. The survey also found that respondents identified the current
economic troubles — including rising unemployment, lower corporate profits, a falling stock market, and rising gas prices — as a significant factor influencing giving. Click here to learn more.
Fundraisers Turn to Green Companies for Help
People who run school fund-raising campaigns have discovered new products that do more than just raise money, and companies that sell such products (such as recycled gift wrap) are helping fund-raising programs become more environmentally friendly, reports The Wall Street Journal. One company that carries green gift products for sale is Greenraising, in Agoura Hills, CA, which has helped about 500 schools and nonprofit organizations raise money, the newspaper reports. One school in New Hampshire had its most
successful campaign in several years, garnering about $2,500, as a result of using the Greenraising catalog. Click here to read the full article.
2008 Grants in Support of AGF
AGF receives revenues from three primary sources: Dues, Program Revenues and Grants/Sponsorships. We are grateful to the following members who, in addition to their dues, committed to supporting AGF in 2007 with general operating dollars and/or program underwriting:
Leadership Circle
- Arizona Community Foundation
- BHHS Legacy Foundation
- Flinn Foundation
- Helios Education Foundation
- Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
- Rodel Foundation of Arizona
- Stardust Foundation
- St. Luke's Health Initiatives
- Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
Partner's Circle
- Mr. Tom Chauncey
- Salt River Project
Program Sponsors
- APS
- F2 Family Foundation
- Fran Dickman
- McMiles Foundation