Nearly 100 Arizona funders gathered at the Orange Tree Golf Resort in Scottsdale for a collaborative two day experience focused on Maximizing Philanthropic Impact. The conference was presented jointly by the Arizona Grantmakers Forum, Arizona Community Foundation, and the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona.
The conference began on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 with a three hour pre-conference workshop on Grantmaking Basics. This proved to be an intensive session facilitated by local experts Barbara Brown, Rob Leslie, and Kendis Muscheid. The session addressed the regulatory environment, financial statements, and administering grantmaking programs.
Jed Emerson of the Generation Foundation provided the evening keynote where he presented some intriguing ideas that pushed the envelope of traditional philanthropy. His ideas on what foundations of the 21st century can do to maximize impact were engaging and thought provoking.
Valley philanthropist Jerry Bisgrove of Stardust Companies kicked off the 19th with A Donor's Perspective. Jerry shared about how Arizona shows promise as one of the nation's fastest growing megapolitans. Jerry began his plenary session with an ice breaker. "We have to know each other, trust each other, and believe in each other." He continued, speaking to the importance of advocacy, accountability, and volunteers. After Jerry spoke, Roger Hughes moderated a distinguished panel including Paul Luna, Judy Mohraz, Pam Price, and Jerry Bisgrove who responded to both Jed Emerson's and Jerry Bisgrove's remarks.
At lunch the group enjoyed a rousing game of Arizona Philanthropy Jeopardy. The winners were Table One led by Wayne Parker of the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.
Resources
Philanthropy Jeopardy
Grants With Impact