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.
Welcome to a new look for News & Notes! We have updated both our monthly newsletters (News & Notes and Member Exchange) to better serve our members and other readers. Our content hasn't changed - you're still getting up-to-date philanthropy news, information on current events and our members, a wealth of resources, and more! Please let us know if you have any suggestions for this newsletter.
January Program on Affordable Housing
On January 24th, over 30 funders gathered to learn about a collaborative effort between the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the Arizona Department of Housing. ACF recently launched a recoverable grant pool that provides pre-development funding for affordable housing projects.
The program began with an enlightening presentation on the state of affordable housing in our state. Fred Karnas, Director of the Arizona Department of Housing, revealed some startling statistics about the high rates of homelessness, sub-par living conditions, and low rates of home-ownership in Arizona. According to the presentation, over 30% of families cannot reasonably afford decent housing. ACF's affordable housing initiative is aimed at alleviating this far-reaching problem, and they estimate that a $100,000 contribution to their recoverable grant pool has the potential to leverage as much as $10 million or more over a period of years. To learn more about this initiative, click here or contact Jacky Alling at (602) 381-1400. A video of the January 24th program is available for AGF members at the Members Only section of our website - click here.
Upcoming Programs
To reserve a seat at any of the programs listed below, please email AGF at lshebuski@azgrantmakers.org (unless otherwise noted).
Essential Skills for Grantmakers
March 27, 2008
8:30am - 4:30pm
Flinn Foundation: 1802 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ
Join the Council of Southwest Foundations and Arizona Grantmakers Forum, along with grantmakers from across the Southwest, to participate in this workshop designed for those new to the field of philanthropy or anyone wanting a refresher on the basics of grantmaking. There are three different sessions presented: Navigating Legal and Ethical Issues, Managing the Personal and Professional Challenges of Grantmaking (Lunch Session), and Making Sound Funding Recommendations. You may join us for the morning session (and lunch) only, or the afternoon (and lunch) only, or stay with us for the whole day! Click here to learn more or to register.
Open to funders only! Registration discount available for AGF and CSF members.
Five Practices of High-Achieving Nonprofit Leaders
April 3, 2008
8:00am - 11:00am
Catholic Diocese of Phoenix: 400 East Monroe Street
The AFP Greater Arizona Chapter invites you to participate in a very special program with renowned international trainer and consultant, Bernard Ross. Mr. Ross is Director of the Management Centre, Europe’s leading consultancy and training organization. He acts as a personal coach to a number of CEOs of large international nonprofits such as Oxfam, UNICEF, WHO, Greenpeace International, and Save the Children. This interactive and challenging session based on a three-year research project will help senior leaders identify how effective they are in terms of the key skills and abilities that the leaders of high-achieving nonprofit leaders possess. The session will include case studies, program leader input, 360 degree assessments and small group discussions. Register by March 21st by visiting www.afpaz.org or call (480)
609-3999 for more information. Fee is $99 and just $79 for each additional team member. Pre-paid registrations receive free VIP reception invitation.
Member News
Helios Education Foundation Helps Students Graduate from College
The Helios Education Foundation donated $764,000 to the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation to support MCC’s “Achieving a College Education program. Approximately $650,000 will be used to maximize staff-to-student contact for the ACE program, and about $114,000 will go to develop a comprehensive Junior ACE model. For more information, go to www.helios.org.
Winter/Spring Funding Cycle Announcement
The Daron and Ron Barness Family Foundation has new funding priorities established for the Winter/Spring 2008 grant cycle, and this year all grants will be challenge/matching grants. Funding priorities will be limited to programs in the following areas: Israel, with focus on improving the quality of life, specifically in border areas most affected by terrorism from Gaza and Lebanon; and, Education (both Jewish and Secular) with a focus on high school preparation for a university degree. Please see our website for the new guidelines: www.barnessfoundation.com.
City of Phoenix Announcement
From Lynn Timmons, City of Phoenix Grants & Federal Relations Liaison - The economic downturn has a direct and significant effect on the public sector because we are so dependent on sales tax in our state. The City of Phoenix will most likely see a reduction in grantmaking in addition to significant budget cuts internally. If you have questions about the status of the City grants programs, contact Lynn.
Announcements from the World of Philanthropy
- Online Contests Raise $1.7 million for 3,000 Nonprofits
- Contributions to Colleges, Universities Up 6.3 Percent in 2007
- 'Slate 60' Recognizes Most Generous Philanthropists of 2007
- Survey Finds only 4% of Americans Plan to Give Tax Rebate to Charity
Philanthropy News and Resources
Successful Groups Prove Internet Is Changing Philanthropy
The Internet is changing philanthropy, The Financial Times reports. Several charities in particular are proving how the quick exchange of knowledge, the publicity of pressing social and environmental problems, and new forums for exchanging ideas are providing donors with innovative solutions for solving problems and reaching charities and individuals around the world. For full article click here.
Arizona Students Perform Below National Average
Two new reports from the Arizona Community Foundation find that students in the state perform below the national average and attribute their performance to poor socioeconomic conditions rather than ethnicity or race. The reports offer a number of recommendations for improving the state's school system. Click Here for full article.
For more information on ACF's Educating Arizona iniatiative, visit http://www.educatingarizona.org.
Educating Arizona: Assessing Our Education System (Birth - Grade 12)
Nonprofit Groups Embrace For-Profit Enterprise
Some nonprofit groups are transforming themselves into businesses to be able to expand their reach, reports The New York Times. As social entrepreneurs continue to influence the landscape of traditional philanthropy, many nonprofit groups are seeking ways to generate revenue and become more self-sustaining. For the full article click here.
Business Partnerships Can Be Perilous for Charities
Nonprofit groups and businesses have different goals and cultures, so it’s crucial for charities to carefully think through any partnerships with businesses and clearly establish ownership rights before taking any action, reports The Financial Times. The article suggests that such partnerships can succeed when both sides clearly lay out their goals and sort through intellectual-property issues beforehand to avoid entanglements later. For full article click here (free subscription required).
Foundation Spending Patterns Driven by Multiple Factors
A new report from the Urban Institute, the Foundation Center, and GuideStar finds that foundation type, size, staffing patterns, and operating activities are the key factors that consistently drive foundation expense and compensation patterns. Even under changing or volatile economic conditions, the study reports that the administrative expense and compensation patterns of U.S. foundations are consistent and predictable. For full article click here.
What Drives Foundation Expenses and Compensation? (PDF)
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