AGF provides programs with valuable information to funders in Arizona. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/programs/podcasts.xml This was a two part program. The first being Linking Money to Mission. A skill-building workshop that taught workshop participants to read between the lines and comprehend the story behind the numbers. With a foundation's investments on the line, reading financial statements is a critical part of a grantmaker's job. Participants reviewed financial statements from sample grantees to learn what grantmakers should consider when reviewing nonprofit financials, including: what to look for in financial statements (beyond the basics), the importance of capital structure, how to measure and benchmark nonprofit liquidity, and the financial effects of facilities, growth, and endowments.

The second session (which is represented on the podcast) was titled Funder Role in Ensuring Financially Stable Nonprofits. This presentation introduced a new framework for understanding philanthropic investments in nonprofits which distinguishes between building an enterprise versus buying from an enterprise. It also highlighted strategies funders can use to enhance nonprofit sustainability.
http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2010FebProgram.mp3 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. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2010JanProgram.mp3 Dr. Lattie Coor highlighted the results of the Gallup poll and provided examples of how individuals and organizations around the state are using the results to inform their own agendas. He also explored how foundations may want to use the poll results to support their own efforts to improve the quality of life in Arizona. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009DecProgram.mp3 This program highlighted the new Accio 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. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009Dec-Ed-Program.mp3 Mark Kramer of FSG Social Impact Advisors reviewed three different innovations in shared measurement and highlighted the eight common elements of success among the twenty systems that FSG studied. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009NovProgram.mp3 Larry Clark and Michael Oxman from MissionWise will share their experiences working with funders and nonprofits across the country. They highlight strategies and tools such as strong business plans, earned income strategies, and strategic partnerships that have proven effective in building nonprofit sustainability. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009AugProgram.mp3 Catherine Downs of The Crescent Group reviewed the Project Streamline report "Drowning in Paperwork, Distractted from Purpose" and explored the challenges and opportunities for streamlining grantee application, monitoring and reporting requirements. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009JuneProgram.mp3 Darcy Refro of STEMAz 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.” http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009May-STEM-Program.mp3 Representatives from campus partners discussed the challenges and opportunities created by the collaboration. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009MayProgram.mp3 Andy Carey, Executive Director of BPP, discussed the role of border philanthropy in more stable and sustainable communities. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009Apr-BPP-Program.mp3 Representatives from the Initiative discuss the benefits and challenges of the collaborative effort to maximize evaluation. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009AprProgram.mp3 Luther Ragin, Jr. of the F. B. Heron Foundation discussed the challenges and benefits of Mission Related Investing. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009FebProgram.mp3 Debra Friedman, University Vice President and Dean of the College of Public Programs at ASU, and Robert Ashcraft, Director of the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, presented the report Greater Phoenix Forward, a collaboration of Arizona State University’s College of Public Programs and the Morrison Institute for Public Policy. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2009JanProgram.mp3 Guest speaker Hugh Burroughs, Independent Philanthropic Advisors December 11, 2008 http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/08DecProgram.mp3 Guest speaker Ellis Carter of Fennemore Craig, P.C. November 20, 2008 http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/08NovProgram.mp3 Guest speakers in Arizona and nationwide Native American philanthropy. October 31, 2008 http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/08OctProgram.mp3 Rob Leslie of Mutual of Omaha Bank presented on what funders should look at when reviewing nonprofit financial documents and the new 990 Form. September 25, 2008 http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2008SepProgram.mp3 Bruno Manno of the Annie E. Casey Foundation talks about ohw to evaluat the impact of various grantmaking programs. August 21, 2008 http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2008AugProgram.mp3 A panel of local nonprofit leaders gave an overview of the current economic state of nonprofits, and what funders can do to help. June 26, 2008 http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2008JunProgram.mp3 Marc Freedman of Civic Ventures spoke to nonprofits and funders together about ensuring a positive future for Arizona by creating an "encore economy" with older adults. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2008MayProgram.mp3 Three speakers discuss the affordable housing crisis in our state, and describe an initiative by Arizona Community Foundation to address this issue. Speakers: Fred Karnas, AZ Department of Housing; Teresa Brice, Local Initiatives Support Corporation; and Carol Parry Fox, ACF Board Member. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2008JanProgram.mp3 Susan Raymond, Ph.D., discusses the new direction of philanthropy in America, in which the benefits and tenets of capitalism are applied to philanthropic ventures. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2007DecProgram.mp3 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 2008, were presented at this AGF program. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2007NovProgram.mp3 Hosted by Arizona Grantmakers Forum and the Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, this program featured David LaPiana, a national expert on nonprofit collaboration. Other local leaders who have either been involved in nonprofit mergers, or have studied the impact of this movement, also spoke. Speakers shared their ideas on the strengths and weaknesses of nonprofit consolidation. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2007OctProgram.mp3 Panel Members included: Nancy Henkin, cofounder of Coming of Age and Founder of Temple University's Center for Intergenerational Learning; Carol Kratz, Senior Program Officer at The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust; and Jacky Alling, Senior Program Officer at Arizona Community Foundation. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2007MarProgram.mp3 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 Advisory, Faith and Community Initiatives. http://www.arizonagrantmakersforum.org/Common/Files/Multimedia/2007JanProgram.mp3