Past Program Highlights
AGF's educational and informal networking programs from 1999 to present are summarized and broadcast to the community each month in our "News & Notes" newsletter. Please click here for a link to our past issues and corresponding program summaries, or see below for summaries of our most recent programs.
AGF Members: Visit our Member Only section to view videos of all our past programs!
Click Here to jump down to 2007 program summaries.
2008 PAST PROGRAMS
January 24 | Affordable Housing
Arizona Community Foundation, in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation recently launched a project to begin to address the issue of affordable housing in Arizona. They’ve established a recoverable grant pool that provides predevelopment funding for affordable housing projects. At this program, three speakers discussed the initiative and answered questions about how to get involved.
February 28 | Lessons Learned from Grantmaking Failures
This luncheon was an informal discussion among AGF members about their thoughts and feelings regarding grantmaking “failures”, what barriers tend to discourage the sharing of mistakes with colleagues and nonprofits, and the lessons they've learned from those grants that didn’t go as planned. Members discussed these issues in small groups.
March 27 | Essential Skills for Grantmakers
The Council of Southwest Foundations and Arizona Grantmakers Forum, along with grantmakers from across the Southwest, participated in this workshop designed for those new to the field of philanthropy or anyone wanting a refresher on the basics of grantmaking. Three different sessions were presented: Navigating Legal and Ethical Issues, Managing the Personal and Professional Challenges of Grantmaking (Lunch Session), and Making Sound Funding Recommendations. Click here to see the agenda, and contact Erin to get the materials from the day.
April 24 | Sustainability in Arizona
The Morrison Institute and ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability recently published a new report, Sustainability for Arizona: The Issue of Our Age, which describes sustainability as a defining issue and organizing principle for the 21st century. At this program, Nancy Welch (co-author of the report) shared insights on critical questions about sustainability. She suggested to funders what their role might be in ensuring a sustainable future for Arizona. Shannon Scutari from the Governor's Office also reviewed the Governor's current initiatives around sustainability.
May 15 | Aging in America: Marc Freedman
Marc Freedman, president of Civic Ventures, gave an engaging presentation to a group of both funders and nonprofit representatives. Marc discussed how to ensure a positive future for Arizona by creating an "encore economy" with older adults. Marc defined a new stage of life that is taking shape in our society - a post-work, pre-elderly time during which baby boomers are engaging in meaningful work in the community. Click here to view more details as well as a full video of the presentation.
June 26 | Impact of Recession on Arizona's 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. 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.
July 24 | AGF Summer Social
AGF members joinied their colleagues for a fun evening of networking and socializing! This informal event was an opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new colleagues in a relaxing atmosphere. Attendees were invited to discuss exit strategies, learning from each other the challenges and best practices related to phasing out funding from a grantee.
August 14 | A Tour of AGF's Member Services and Website
Most of our members know that AGF has a website full of resources and services, including a Members Only section of the site. However, they may not have had time to fully explore all of the resources available through our website. This webinar explored how to take full advantage of AGF's extensive website, including a tour of the Members Only website. Topics covered included:
- A Brief Organizational Summary
- www.azgrantmakers.org - An Overview
- Review of Online Resources
- Calendar of Events and Event Registration
- Members Only Section: logging in, changing your info, paying bills, searching the
directory, and more
- Program Video Archives
- National Knowledgebase
- Using the ListServ
- Any other questions you have!
August 21 | Meaningful Metrics for Measuring Impact
Grantmakers, especially those committed to addressing the root causes of social problems, struggle with the question: "how do we know if our charitable giving has a positive impact?" The Annie E. Casey Foundation, one of the largest foundations in the U.S., has been grappling with this question for a number of years. They have developed a results-oriented framework which they use to evaluate the impact of their various grantmaking programs. This program provided the opportunity to join with colleagues in Flagstaff to hear how one national funder has tackled the question of how to measure grant impact.
September 25 | Reviewing Nonprofit Financials
Rob Leslie, Senior VP and Director of Nonprofit Services for First National Bank of Arizona, discussed what funders should look for when reviewing nonprofit financial documents. The program included a discussion of the new 990 requirements.
2007 PAST PROGRAMS
January 25 | Funding Faith Based Initiatives
This program will provide Arizona grantmakers with a better understanding of the role that faith based charities play in the delivery of social services in Arizona. Panel members include John S. Hall, Professor, Public Affairs and Public Service, ASU, Wayne Tormala, Community Initiatives and Faith Based Initiatives Coordinator, City of Phoenix, and Jannah Scott, Governor's Office, Policy Advisor, Faith and Community Initiatives
February 22 | Funding Youth Civic Engagement Programs
This will be an informal session which will allow funders to discuss existing youth civic engagement programs, using materials supplied by various agencies. AGF will invite nonprofits with youth civic engagement programs to submit a brief overview of their program based on a template supplied by AGF. Group facilitators will be grantmakers who have funded the program being discussed, and they would explain what they saw as the strengths/weaknesses of the program. Other group participants will be invited to share their own thoughts and all the comments will be compiled and shared with the agency after the program.
Location: Arizona Community Foundation
Time: 11:30am -1:30pm
March 22 | Utilizing Baby Boomers
This program will involve a discussion of how the nonprofit sector can maximize the potential represented by Baby Boomers who will be undertaking major life changes in the next 20 years. ACF will also report out on the initial results of their Community Experience Partnership Grant from Atlantic Philanthropies. (Open to Nonprofits) Location: Burton Barr Public Library
Time: 11:30am -1:30pm
April 25 | Family/Small Foundation Roundtable
AGF has established the Family/Small Foundation Network for grantmaking organizations with few or no staff. The Network is designed to allow for discussion of sector-wide issues with particular focus on practices unique to smaller grantmaking organizations, especially family foundations.
At the inaugural meeting we will ask participants to share brief profiles of their organizations, help further define logistics of the Network, brainstorm topics of interest, and focus on one or two key issues to begin a dialogue. AGF Members and other Arizona grantmaking organizations are welcome to participate. We invite you to share this announcement with your colleagues. Thanks to Tom Chauncey for his generous underwriting to launch this network. To view the invitation, click here.
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm | Location: Arizona Community Foundation, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 202
April 26 | Strengths and Weaknesses of the Darwinian Approach to Funding Nonprofits:
An informal discussion of what funders feel is their role in supporting mature nonprofits that may no longer be effective. Why do some funders decide to stop funding an agency when it seems to have outlived its purpose while others seem to continue to fund them?
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm | Location: Flinn Foundation
May 24 | Investing in our Communities:
Strategies for Immigrant Integration (Skills Building) - A representative from Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) will join us to talk about their new toolkit.
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm | Location: Arizona Community Foundation, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 202
June 28 | Evaluation: Philanthropy's Dirty Little Secret:
An informal session providing funders with an opportunity to share their approaches to evaluation and what data they collect and review.
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm | Location: Arizona Community Foundation, 2201 E. Camelback Road, Suite 202
July 20 | The story of Philomath Oregon (Flagstaff)
The video explores the role of a philanthropic organization in influencing public policy in a small town as well as a case study of succession, governance, donor intent, racial and sexual discrimination, environmental education. Time: 11:00am - 2:00pm | Location: Flagstaff Arboretum
September 20 | Capital Campaign Focus Group
Join us for an opportunity to discuss with other funders what they see as the primary challenges related to funding capital campaigns in Maricopa County. The group will explore ways funders can collectively support the nonprofit sector when implementing such campaigns.
Location: Arizona Community Foundation
Time: 8:30am -10:00am
September 25 | Family & Small Foundations Network Meeting
This network, designed for grantmaking organizations with few or no staff, allows for discussion of sector-wide issues with particular focus on practices unique to smaller grantmaking organizations - especially family foundations. This will be the second meeting of the group, and topics to be discussed include board management and grantee evaluation. (Open to all small & family foundations).
Location: Arizona Community Foundation
Time: 11:30am -1:30pm
September 26 | Valley Contributers Network:
Promoting Your Company's Good Works Without Seeming Self-Serving. Lawrence Moore, Ph.D., Director of Communications and Public Affairs with Motorola, will lead a discussion on effectively promoting your company's community service activities.
Location: University Club
Time: 11:30am -1:30pm
October 4 | Grantmaking Governance, and More:
What the New IRS Wants From Your Organization. Grace Allison, VP of Northern Trust, Inc., will review IRS practices and policies that are critically important to funders. (Open to foundation staff and donor-advised fund representatives).
Location: Northern Trust Phoenix -
2398 E. Camelback, Suite 400
Time: 7:30am - 9:00am
October 25 | Nonprofit Consolidation:
Opportunities and Challenges in Arizona. This program will include local leaders who have either been involved in nonprofit mergers or have studied the impact of this movement, who will share their ideas on the strengths and weaknesses of nonprofit consolidation. Click here for a detailed agenda of the event. (Open to nonprofits and AGF members).
Location: Phoenix Country Club
Time: 8:00am - 3:00pm
October 31 | Teaching Children the Art of Giving:
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. We will begin taking RSVP's for this event on August 31, 2007. For more information, click here.
Location: Arizona Biltmore Conference Center
Time: 11:30am - 1:30pm
November 15 | Report on State of Education in Arizona:
ACF and the Ellis Center have commissioned research on the state of Arizona's educational system. The results of this report, expected to be released in January 2008, will be presented.
December 13 | Brave New World: American Philanthropy Comes of Age
Susan Raymond, Ph.D., will discuss the emerging phenomenon of "philanthropreneurs" - young billionaires who have reaped the benefits of capitalism and believe it can be applied to philanthropic ventures. Dr. Raymond will talk about innovative approaches to grantmaking as manifest by the Google Foundation and others, which involves a combination of traditional grantmaking and for-profit structures to accomplish certain goals.