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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.
On September 18th, 200 nonprofit and funding professionals met for a day-long conference on advocacy presented by
The Wallace Foundation of Arizona. Speakers included Richard de Uriarte of the Arizona Republic, Ruth Holton-Hodson
of the California Wellness Foundation, and many more. Workshops and speakers covered topics such as Social Justice
Youth Development, Influencing Policy Makers, Maximizing Your Message for the Media, and other exciting topics! Click here for a full list.
 The purpose of this conference was to "light the flame" of advocacy in
funders and non-profits willing to accept the challenge of forging better public policies that serve the real needs of Arizonans.
AGF is pleased to assist The Wallace Foundation in this effort. Please click here (or visit our website at www.azgrantmakers.org) to view videos from the conference, a list of speakers
and session topics, and a multitude of other resources.
Other AGF News
Capital Campaign Update! 
As a service to our members and the nonprofit community, AGF keeps a database of ongoing Capital Campaigns in the Phoenix area. In an effort to streamline the Capital funding process and give our members a clear overview of the state of current campaigns, we would like to update this list and make sure it is as accurate as possible. If you are involved in a Capital Campaign in the Valley, please review our database (below) and email us with any updates or corrections. We greatly appreciate your help with this effort!
 Arizona Capital Campaigns Database (Excel File)
Program Summary: Grantmaking, Governance and More
On October 4th, Grace Allison, Vice President of Northern Trust Bank, spoke to 20 AGF members about important IRS policies and practices relevant to funders. Her presentation included information on new governance initiatives, new private foundation distribution rules, and details on funding supporting organizations. If you would like a detailed outline of her presentation, please contact Lauren. AGF members can view a video of the presentation at our website (click here).
Upcoming AGF Programs
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To reserve a seat
at any of the programs listed below, please email AGF at lshebuski@arizonagrantmakersforum.org (unless otherwise noted).
Wed. October 31 Teaching Children the Art of Giving
Arizona Grantmakers Forum, in partnership with a number of other philanthropic and civic organizations around Arizona, will host a conversation with noted author Susan Crites Price. The event will provide participants with information to help adults teach children - from toddlers to teens - how to use their time, talent, and money to help others. For more information, click here.
11:30am - 1:30pm
Location: Arizona Biltmore (2400 E. Missouri Ave.)
Thurs. November 15 Report on the State of Education in Arizona
The Arizona Community Foundation and the Ellis Center for Educational Excellence have commissioned research on the state of Arizona's educational system. This program will present the results of the report, and allow for discussion regarding its implications.
Open
to AGF Members only.
11:30am - 1:30pm
Location: Fennemore Craig, P.C. (3003 N. Central Ave. Suite 2600)
Other Programs:
November 29-30 15th Annual Nonprofit Conference - Sustainability Strategies, Mission and Messaging: Cutting Through the Noise
You can cut through the noise with innovative public relations, messaging and marketing tactics. Attend this interactive conference and learn how to effectively position your organization for clients, donors and the media. Everyone, from volunteers to executive directors, is encouraged to attend—there’s something for everybody. Everyone in your organization represents your mission; help them learn how to get the word out! Click here to register. If you have questions, please visit http://nonprofit.asu.edu or call 602-496-0500.
Member News
Science Foundation Arizona Receives $25 Million
As part of a matching grant by the State of Arizona, Stardust Charitable Fund has pledged $25 million to Science Foundation Arizona, to be invested in scientific, medical and engineering research. The amount represents the first part of a three-year challenge grant from the state Legislature, as an effort to build Arizona's high-tech industry into a strong competitor worldwide. To learn more, click here.
Every Voice in Action Youth Philanthropists Kick Off the Year
September 14th marked the launch of Every Voice in Action's eighth Youth Crew! Sixteen young people ranging in age from 15-20 were selected to participate in the program, representing 9 schools in Pima County. The Crew kicked off the year with a weekend of fun, team-building and learning about grantmaking at the YMCA's Triange Y Ranch in Oracle. To learn more about the Youth Crew and Every Voice in Action, click here or contact Ed Mercurio-Sakwa at (520) 615-2100.
Lodestar $5 million Gift Launches New Era for ASU Nonprofit Center
The Lodestar Foundation recently announced a $5 million gift to Arizona State University's Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management, the largest donation in the Center's history. The gift is expected to catapult the Center into the forefront of philanthropic research and expand its high-demand programs that strengthen nonprofits. In recognition of this landmark gift, the Center will be renamed the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation.
Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation Announces Job Opening
The Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation is seeking a Grants & Development Coordinator. This position builds and expands upon the Foundation's mission of improving oral health for Arizonans. Reporting to the Vice-President of Philanthropy and Community Relations, this position will be critical to the success of efforts in resource development, effective grantmaking, and donor and community relations. For more information or to apply, please contact Sandi Perez at (602) 588-3929 or sperez@deltadentalaz.com.
Announcements from the World of Philanthropy:
These five links are quick updates from the sector, meant to keep you informed of recent events. For more in-depth articles on philanthropy, see "News and Resources" below.
 Philanthropy News & Resources
Study Shows that Nonprofits Boost Economy
Nonprofits and their volunteers are a major driving force of the global economy, according to a study by Johns Hopkins University. The study found the Nonprofit sector to be larger than the construction, tranportation, and utilities industries, representing 7.2 percent of the gross domestic product. The report comes after the United States, along with eight other nations, began implementing United Nations guidelines that measure nonprofit economic contributions - including the value of volunteer work. For more information, please click here.
Bequests Decline as Foundation Giving Increases
Investment News recently reported that more wealthy donors are choosing to give away charitable dollars while they are alive as opposed to making bequests. According to Giving USA statistics, there was a 2.1 percent decrease in bequests from 2005 to 2006, coupled with a 12.6 precent rise in foundation grantmaking during the same time period. In addition, the number of private foundations in the United States has nearly doubled in the last ten years, bringing the total to approximately 80,000. Click here for more details from the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Also, see below for a statistical analysis of independent, corporate, and community foundation giving changes.
Changes in Foundation Giving, 1987 to 2005 (PDF)
Philanthropic Partners Announce Release of New Report
Beyond Five Percent: The New Foundation Payout Menu, a joint project of the French American Charitable Trust, Northern California Grantmakers, and the New York Regional Association of Grantmakers, is a report that looks at a range of organizations that have chosen alternatives to the traditional legal minimum of a five percent annual payout. The report is intended to serve as a resource for grantmakers looking for insightul approaches to philanthropy and innovative ways to deploy their assets. Click here for an in-depth summary of the report, and see below to download the full publication.
Beyond Five Percent: The New Foundation Payout Menu (PDF)
IRS Makes Changes to Proposed Nonprofit Tax Form
The Internal Revenue Service is revising its proposed redesign of the Form 990, nonprofit organizations' primary tax form. The changes are in response to reviews from over 650 individuals and organizations who commented on the proposed form. A spokesman from the agency said that they are removing several questions from the form, and considering a grace period on filling out certain portions. For more details on the proposed form and recent changes, click here.
New Definition of High-Impact Nonprofits
The Fall 2007 Stanford Social Innovation Review recently published an article detailing the best practices of high-impact nonprofit organization. The article also dispells common myths regarding nonprofit management practices. The authors give six commonly-held beliefs about what makes a nonprofit impactful, and then show that they are not necessarily indicators of success. Instead, the article described the most high-impact nonprofits as focused on community-focused - building partners outside of their organizations rather than focusing on internal operations. Click here for the full article and study results.
Creating High-Impact Nonprofits (PDF)
2007
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
- Dorrance Family Foundation
- Flinn Foundation
- Helios Education Foundation
- Nina
Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust
- St. Luke's Health Initiatives
- The
Lodestar Foundation
- The Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona
- The Stardust Foundation
- Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
Partners
Circle:
- APS
- Mr.
Tom Chauncey
- Salt River Project
Program
Hosts:
- Mr.
Tom Chauncey
- F2
Family Foundation
- Phelps
Dodge Corporation
- The Arizona Republic
- Southwest Gas
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