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.
For previous issues of New & Notes please see our newsletter archives at www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/e-news/archives.aspx.
Recent Program Summaries
Native American Philanthropy
Traditions of giving back, self-help, mutual assistance and philanthropy in Native American communities are as old and deep as their presence on American soil. Today, increasing numbers of Native Americans, long stereotyped as receivers rather than givers, are finding innovative ways to leverage personal assets to benefit their communities. Here in Arizona, since the tribal gaming compacts were renegotiated in 2003, tribes have distributed over $32 million directly to local governments and nonprofits, with more than $11 million being distributed in 2007 alone. Guest speakers Joy Persall of Native Americans in Philanthropy, Sheila Morago of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association, and Barbara Poley of The Hopi Foundation shared information and experiences in Native philanthropy in Arizona. A video of the October program is available for AGF members at the Members Only section of our website - click here to log in and then click on Resources.
Governance/Administrative Best Practices
The I.R.S. is increasingly focused on internal governance as an indicator of legal and tax compliance. As a result, the revised Form 990 asks numerous questions regarding internal policies and procedures. Most new policies and procedures must be adopted by the end of the organization’s tax year beginning in 2008 (by December 31, 2008, for calendar-year filers) in order to be reported on the 2008 Form 990. While private foundations do not file the Form 990, most of these policies are appropriate for private foundations and will likely be incorporated into the Form 990-PF in the future. As a result, nonprofit leaders wishing to avoid I.R.S. attention should be striving to implement "best practices" throughout their organizations. Attorney Ellis Carter of Fennemore Craig, P.C. shared best practices related to board structure, financial audits and audit committees, code of ethics, conflict of interest, document retention and destruction policies, whistleblower policies, compensation policy, gift acceptance and fundraising policies, formal scholarship guidelines, grant procedures, and recordkeeping practices.
A video of the November program is available to the public at our website. Click here to view the video and other program information.
Enduring Principles of Effective Philanthropy/Emerging Principles for Uncertain Economic Times
Hugh Burroughs, President of Independent Philanthropic Advisors spoke about philanthropic principles that have stood the test of time and emerging principles that will affect philanthropy in the uncertain economic times ahead. A video of the December program is available for AGF members at the Members Only section of our website - click here to log in and then click on Resources.
Upcoming Programs
AGF Programs
Greater Phoenix Forward
January 22, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Location: Flinn Foundation, Phoenix
Open to Nonprofits
National Conferences
Feb. 1-3, Family Philanthropy Conference, Council on Foundations, www.cof.org
Mar. 24-25, Foundations on the Hill, Council on Foundations and Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, http://www.foundationsonthehill.org/
Mar. 31-Apr. 1, Aligning for Impact: Connecting the Dots, The Center for Effective Philanthropy, http://www.effectivephilanthropy.org
Apr. 5-8, 4th Annual Native Philanthropy Institute, Native Americans in Philanthropy, http://www.nativephilanthropy.org/institute2009/index.html
May 4-6, Philanthropy's Place Today and Tomorrow, Council on Foundations Annual Conference, http://www.cof.org/events.cfm?navItemNumber=1970
Member News
Piper Trust names four 2008 Piper Fellows
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust recently awarded Piper Fellowships to four exemplary nonprofit leaders who will participate in self-designed sabbaticals for professional development and renewal.
The 2008 Piper Fellows are Edmundo Hildalgo, Chicanos Por La Causa; Mark Nelson, Foundation for Blind Children; Daniel Scoggin, Great Hearts Academies; and John Swagert, Mountain Park Health Center.
Piper Trust Announces Second Round of Community Relief Grants for Maricopa County Nonprofits
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust today announced a second group of Community Relief Grants, part of a $1 million commitment to aid Maricopa County nonprofits providing direct assistance to the community.
Arizona Community Foundation President & CEO Resigns
Robert L. King, who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Community Foundation since 2006, has announced his resignation. He has accepted the position of President of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, the coordinating body created under Kentucky’s 1997 higher education reform act to coordinate state policy, increase enrollment and improve the eight public universities and community college system.
Gene D’Adamo, Vice President of Community Relations for The Arizona Republic, has been selected by the American Jewish Committee to receive their 2008 National Human Relations Award. The event was held on November 13 at the Ritz Carlton.
John Murphy, CEO of The Flinn Foundation announced his retirement. After serving as leader of The Flinn Foundation for 28 years, John Murphy will retire some time in 2009, until his successor is named.
Announcements from the World of Philanthropy
- How Grant Makers Should Respond to Hard Times
- Past Economic Downturns and the Outlook for Foundation Giving
- Gap Persists Between Nonprofit Needs and Grantmaker Practices, Survey Finds
- Amid Turmoil, Corporations to Maintain Giving in 2009
- Foundation Center Maps Foundation Support in Response to Economic Crisis
- Entrepreneurs Foundation Launches 2.0 Platforms for Corporate Philanthropy and Community Involvement Programs
News and Resources
CEP Research Reveals What Works 'Beyond the Money'
Most of foundations' efforts 'beyond the money' make little difference to grantees, according to a new report released today by the Center for Effective Philanthropy. Click here to read more.
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations' latest publication, General Operating Support Vol. 2: Assessing the Impact, presents examples of assessment strategies and discusses two approaches to assessment: one that emphasizes pre-grant assessment and one that relies more on assessment during and after the time the grant is made. This publication can be downloaded or a hard copy can be ordered at the GEO website.
Loss of Connection Leading Reason Wealthy Donors Stop Giving, Study Finds
Nearly 60 percent of wealthy households who stop giving to a charitable organization attribute the change in their philanthropic behavior to no longer feeling connected to the organization, a new study from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and Bank of America finds. Other reasons why wealthy donors discontinue their giving include deciding to support other causes (51 percent) and feeling they are being solicited too often (42 percent). Click here to read the article at Philanthropy New Digest.
New Resource from the Foundation Center
The Foundation Center has developed a new online feature, "Focus on the Economic Crisis," which provides a wide array of resources to help nonprofits and foundations alike as they face the challenges of an unstable economy.
Bracing For Lean Times Ahead
Nonprofit and philanthropy leaders are optomistic but realistic about giving during the economic downturn. Although few nonprofit leaders are predicting a long fall in giving this year from the more than $300 billion that was donated last year in the United States, many are preparing for leaner times, the New York Times reports. Click here to read more.
How Charities Cope with a Troubled Economy
As charities deal with issues related to the current economic crisis, they are searching for ways to cope with raising money, managing finances, and serving growing needs within their communities. The Chronicle of Philanthropy compiled a list of resources including recent stories, live discussions, and statistics about how charities deal with turbulent times. Click here to read more.
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
- The Lodestar 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
- JP Morgan Chase
- Salt River Project
Program Sponsors
- APS
- F2 Family Foundation
- Fran Dickman
- McMiles Foundation