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 Members Only section to view videos of all our past programs!
Click here to jump down to 2009 program summaries.
2010 PAST PROGRAMS
August 26, 2010 | FLAGSTAFF - Using Community Assessments as an Evaluation Tool
In the current economic-crisis, with state funding for human service programs continuously being cut, it is more important than ever that all funders have accurate and compelling data to help decide how best to allocate scarce resources. First Things First (FTF) is a grantmaking organization that is committed to ongoing and rigorous analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to ensure desirable program outcomes. FTF shared its findings and evaluation process with those who attended.
August 11, 2010 | Corporate Funders Affinity Group Meeting
US Airways hosted the Corporate Funders session on 8/11/2010. We held an informal session where our members were able to share ideas and ask each other questions.
August 4, 2010 | Philanthropy Professionals Rising Networking Event
The Philanthropy Professionals Rising Affinity group met at Paradise Bakery and Cafe to discuss intergenerational cooperation in the workplace and in regards to philanthropy. We shared ideas and observations about the unique traits of Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers.
July 22, 2010 | Summer Evening Social at The Vig Uptown
We gathered for an enjoyable evening of networking and socializing on July 22. This informal event was an opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new colleagues in one of the hippest new dining venues in Central Phoenix, The Vig Uptown.
We featured several of Arizona’s newest foundation CEO’s, including:
° Clint Maibe, CEO Community Foundation of Southern Arizona
° Rhian Allvin, CEO, First Things First
° Brenda Thompson, Executive Director, Arizona Humanities Council
° Steve Seleznow, CEO, Arizona Community Foundation
July 15, 2010 | AGF's Small/Family Foundation Affinity Group
This was an informal discussion with Steve Selznow, President and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation.
June 24, 2010 | Impact of Recession on Arts & Culture Organizations
Due to the severe economic downturn, the list of US cultural casualties is large and growing. By some estimates, one in 10 of the country's 100,000 arts organizations are in such financial straits they have been forced to make enormous cuts or consider closing. Stimulus funds have been directed toward the arts but the latest federal budget points to overall funding decline. During this program, we heard from leaders in the Arts & Culture community who provided more details about the challenges and changes their groups are facing and highlighted glimmers of hope that are beginning to emerge.
June 22, 2010 | Philanthropy Professionals Rising - Gaining from Our Fellow Grantmakers: Understanding the Different Types of Foundations
Philanthropy Professionals Rising affinity group met and discussed the differences between a private and public foundation. We also discussed how corporate philanthropy is unique. Our presenters included Ed Portnoy (Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust), Mary Thomson (BHHS Legacy Foundation), and Kelly Balthazor (US Airways)
June 9, 2010 | Education Funders Affinity Group
Kate Walsh, CEO of the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) will be discussing her organization's efforts to reform post-secondary teacher education in the U.S. NCTQ has launched a project, in partnership with US News and World Report, to rate each of the nation's 1,400 education schools relative to a set of standards which define high quality teacher preparation. A similar effort pursued a century ago resulted in the overhaul of medical training in the US.
June 9, 2010 | Philanthropy Professionals Rising Networking Event
An informal gathering of AGF's Philanthropy Professionals Rising (Formerly Young and Emerging Leaders).
May 27, 2010 | Permanent Supportive Housing, a Community Approach
Our panel discussed Permanent Supportive Housing and the reality of ending homelessness in Arizona.
May 12, 2010 | Corporate Funders Affinity Group
The Corporate Funders Affinity group met at the Cox corporate offices and held an informal session where members were able to connect with peers to discuss topics and issues relevant to their grantmaking.
April 22, 2010 | How Can Technology Improve Your Grantmaking?
During this program, we held an informal peer learning opportunity in which we explored various technologies including web browsers, wikis, customer relaationship management, GIS mapping, Facebook and Twitter.
April 7, 2010 | Small/Family Foundation Round Table
This informal discussion group allowed staff from small foundations and family foundations to connect with peers to discuss topics and issues relevant to their grantmaking.
April 6, 2010 | Young and Emerging Leaders Networking Event
An informal gathering of AGF's Young and Emerging Leaders took place at the Paradise Bakery and Cafe. Young and Emerging Leaders discussed their current projects/responsibilities, what they hope and plan to accomplish in the future, and shared ideas for the next formal event of the affinity group. The group also celebrated its new name: "Philanthropy Professionals Rising"
March 26, 2010 | Young and Emerging Leaders - Conversations with Our CEOs
AGF's Young and Emerging Leaders Affinity Group had Conversations with our CEOs. A panel of AGF member CEOs was available to answer questions and offer advice to the next generation of philanthropic leaders in Arizona. Members had the opportunity to learn best practices and gain advice from seasoned professionals in Arizona’s philanthropic sector.
The CEO Panel included:
° Patricia Miles, the McMiles Foundation
° Judy Mohraz, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
° Kevin Ruegg, Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education
° Steve Seleznow, The Arizona Community Foundation
March 25, 2010 | Funder Role in Mitigating Impact of Human Service Budget Cuts.
With tax revenue declining as a result of the recession and budget reserves largely drained, the vast majority of states are making spending cuts that hurt families and reduce necessary services. These cuts, in turn, will make the recession worse because families and businesses have less to spend in their local economies. Federal recovery act dollars greatly reduced the extent, severity, and economic impact of these cuts in 2009, but are an unlikely resource for 2010 and beyond.
March 18 | AGF Education Funders Meeting
This AGF Education Funders Meeting provided an update on Arizona's Race to the Top application, which was submitted in late January to the US Department of Education. Dr. Carol Peck, President and CEO of the Rodel Foundation of Arizona and Karla Phillips from the Governor's Office provided details about key elements of the State's application and highlighted potential next steps and the role that funders should take in supporting Arizona's application.
February 18 | Improving Understanding of Nonprofit Financials
AGF partnered with the Nonprofit Finance Fund to present two sessions: 8:30am-11:30am - Linking Money to Mission: a skill-building workshop that taught participants to read between the lines and comprehend the story behind the numbers. 11:30am-1:30pm - Funder Role in Ensuring Financially Stable Nonprofits: introduced a new framework for understanding philanthropic investments in nonprofits and highlighted strategies funders can use to enhance nonprofit sustainability.
February 11 | Small Family Foundation Affinity Group - Putting Family in Philanthropy
Social Venture Partners AZ held two sessions on February 11th with Foundation Source. Many donors establish a foundation to create a philanthropic legacy that extends into the next generation and beyond. Transferring the mantle of philanthropic stewardship presents many opportunities to donors - and challenges. Everyone learned how to approach key transitions points in their families and philanthropy. We discussed innovative ideas to leverage family talents and engage family more deeply in their foundations for greater impact, satisfaction and rewards.
February 17 | AGF Corporate Funders Webinar: Measuring Community Involvement: How to Prove Your Worth
In this webinar we learned the highlights from the Center's Impact Measurement project which explored how corporations can effectively measure the business impact of their community involvement programs.
January 21 | Lessons Learned from Funder Collaboratives
Collaboration is a challenging undertaking and nonprofits and funders alike are generally reluctant to engage in such "unnatural acts" with out compelling incentives. However, the lessons learned from those organizations which do choose to collaborate suggest that the myriad of benefits of working together far outweigh the costs. Arizona funders are increasingly engaged in collaborative activities. Our January program highlighted the lessons learned from two local funder collaboratives.
2009 PAST PROGRAMS
January 22 | Greater Phoenix Forward
Greater Phoenix Forward is a report of the ASU College of Public Programs and the Morrison Institute for Public Policy that offers community and policy leaders and human services practitioners the latest data and new perspectives for understanding the Valley's human services infrastructure and a "big picture" of future needs. Debra Friedman, University Vice President and Dean of the ASU College of Public Programs, and Robert Ashcraft, Director of the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, presented an overview of the report. Click here to view a video of the program.
February 10 | Mission Related Investments: Toward a Broader Philanthropic Toolkit
Luther Ragin, Jr. of The F. B. Heron Foundation spoke to AGF members about the strengthening field of mission related investing. He discussed the benefits and challenges in below market and market level investments as they relate to mission related investing. Thanks to Arizona Community Foundation for sponsoring this program.
March 10 | The Effective Exit: Managing the End of a Funding Relationship
Attendees of this program participated in small group discussions to share their experiences and answer questions such as "Are there steps funders can take to ease the exit process?" and "Do you help grantees find new funding?" Each group reported out at the end of the session. In addition to the knowledge shared by all, the program provided an opportunity for networking and professional growth. Thanks to The Arizona Republic for sponsoring this program.
April 1 | Using Cross-Sector Partnerships to Achieve Social Innovation
This program consisted of a webinar presented by the Donors Forum of South Florida and group discussion after the webinar. Kriss Deiglmeier, Executive Director of the Stanford Graduate School of Business' Center for Social Innovation, discussed social innovation in relation to cross-sector partnerships and gave examples. Attendees then discussed why and how cross-sector relationships between philanthropy, business and government can help achieve social innovation in Arizona.
April 23 | Youth Evaluative Learning Pilot Program
This program highlighted the Youth Evaluative Learning Pilot Program, an innovative program of Valley of the Sun United Way and Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to help nonprofits gain the tools and knowledge to use data more effectively for improving operations and the quality of programs. Thanks to Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust for sponsoring this program. (Video available at Members Only site)
April 29 | U.S. - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership
The Arizona Community Foundation and Arizona Grantmakers Forum partnered to present an informative program on the U.S. - Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership, a nonprofit that focuses on philanthropy’s response and challenge in relation to border issues, and how all funders can use their influence and grant dollars to be a part of the solution. (Video available at Members Only site)
May 28 | Phoenix Human Services Campus: A Unique Collaboration
This program provided a tour of the Human Services Campus serving the homeless in Phoenix. Representatives from collaborating nonprofits on the campus answered questions and discussed the challenges and opportunities that have made the collaboration a unique model for success. Thanks to Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust for sponsoring this program. (Video available at Members Only site)
May 29 | STEM Initiatives in Arizona
Corporate members were invited to share their experiences in funding STEM projects and hear from Darcy Renfro, Executive Director of STEMAZ, who provided background about what the Science Foundation of Arizona is doing to support education that "builds a highly skilled Arizona work-force as the foundation for the 21st century knowledge-based economy." (Video available at Members Only site)
June 25 | Drowning in Paperwork, Distracted from Purpose
This session provided an opportunity for funders and nonprofits to learn more about the core principles and recommended practices outlined in the Project Streamline report "Drowning in Paperwork, Distracted from Purpose" and then to discuss in small groups, the challenges and opportunities for streamlining grantee application, monitoring and reporting requirements here in Arizona. Thanks to SRP for sponsoring this program. Click here to see a video of the program.
July 14 | AGF Summer Social
This informal event provided AGF members with an opportunity to catch up with old friends and meet new colleagues in an informal atmosphere. Robert Ashcraft, Director of the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, gave a brief update us on the latest developments at the Center. The session also provided attendees with the chance to ask questions and begin to dialogue on how to best work collectively to build the capacity of the social sector in Arizona. Thanks to F2 Family Foundation for sponsoring this program.
August 27 | Building Nonprofit Capacity in Tough Economic Times
Two experts from MissionWise shared their experiences working with funders and nonprofits across the country. The program, which was held at the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, highlighted strategies and tools such as strong business plans, earned income strategies, and strategic partnerships that have proven effective in building nonprofit sustainability. Thanks to APS for sponsoring this program. (Video available at Members Only site)
September 22 | Using Corporate Resources and Expertise to Build Stronger Nonprofits
This program provided an overview of why capacity building is a good fit for corporate funders and the different approaches and models that can be applied based on varying budgets, staffing and strategic goals.
September 24 | AGF Reception for the CSF Annual Conference
The Conference of Southwest Foundations scheduled its Annual Conference in Scottsdale, and AGF extended a warm Arizona welcome to conference speakers and AGF members to attend a reception to meet and mingle with grantmaking colleagues from across the southwest. Thanks to Rodel Charitable Foundation of Arizona for sponsoring this program.
September 29 | Education Funders Affinity Group Meeting
Karla Phillips, the Governor's Chief Policy Advisor for Education, discussed the state budget and available federal funding for education and how it will affect the Governor's agenda for education in Arizona. Thanks to JPMorgan Chase for sponsoring this program.
October 27 | 3rd Annual Art of Giving Luncheon - Multi-Generational Philanthropy
AGF hosted a conversation with noted author Nathan Dungan, an industry thought-leader on helping youth and adults link their money decisions to their values. His presentation helped participants discover new ways to talk and think about money among family members and between generations.
November 18 | Breakthroughs in Shared Measurement and Social Impact - Mark Kramer of FSG Social Impact Advisors reviewed three different innovations in shared measurement, including a) Shared measurement platforms; b) Comparative performance systems; and c) Adaptive learning systems. He also highlighted the eight common elements of success among the twenty systems that FSG studied. Thanks to The Flinn Foundation for sponsoring this program. (Video available at Members Only site)
December 2 | Young and Emerging Leaders Affinity Group Meeting - This was the inaugural meeting for the Young and Emerging Leaders Affinity Group. The group will focus on development and networking for young adults and those new to philanthropy who wish to develop leadership skills and gain knowledge about the world of philanthropy. At this meeting, the group discussed the expectations group members have for this affinity group.
December 15 | Education Funders Affinity Group Meeting - During this session attendees learned about the new Accio Education Fund, a "venture capital" type of charitable fund created by ACF and Helios to support the development and expansion of innovative education reform efforts for the benefit of Arizona students. Attendees met the leaders of both nonprofit organizations and learned more about what ACF and Helios hope to accomplish through this bold initiative. Thanks to JPMorgan Chase for sponsoring this program. (Video available at Members Only site)
December 17 | The Arizona We Want - AGF's brief Annual Meeting was followed by a review of the recent report "The Arizona We Want" by Dr. Lattie Coor of the Center for the Future of Arizona. During his presentation, Dr. Coor highlighted the results of the Gallup poll and provide examples of how individuals and organizations around the state are using the results to inform their own agendas. He also explored how funders may want to use the poll results to support their own efforts to improve the quality of life in Arizona. Thanks to McMiles Foundation for sponsoring this program. (Video available at Members Only site)