Private Philanthropy Update - March 2018
Earlier this month, President Trump released his budget proposal for the 2019 fiscal year, which proposes cuts to federal agencies and grant programs like the statement in support of NEA and the importance of public-private partnerships.
In 2011, NEA brought together several foundations, federal agencies, and financial institutions to create ArtPlace America, a ten-year collaboration "to position arts and culture as a core sector of comprehensive community planning and development in order to help strengthen the social, physical, and economic fabric of communities." As a result, ArtPlace has invested more than $100 million in communities spanning the entire country.
We're very proud to share this story about how our members, in partnership with the government, are working to advance the common good.
If you want to understand more about the impacts of the 2018 Federal Budget and the President’s 2019 Budget Proposal, or how to build public-private partnerships, join us on April 11-13, 2018 in Philadelphia, PA at our Public Policy Summit. See below for more information.
Finally, I want to thank the following private foundations who have joined the Council for 2018:
- Lyda Hill Foundation
- Joy McCann Foundation
- GHR Foundation
- Fuller E. Callaway Foundation
Sincerely,
Talia Rivera
Director, Private Philanthropy
Knight Survey Aims To Assess How Foundations Monitor and Integrate Changes
The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and the Council on Foundations are partnering to assess how effectively foundations identify, monitor, and integrate key environmental changes in their organizations. To participate, we request that a senior leader (preferably vice president or above) in your organization complete the survey at the following link: Public Policy Summit when it kicks off next month. The Summit, scheduled for April 11-13 in Philadelphia, PA is an opportunity for the sector to come together and discuss coalition building, advocacy and policy issues facing philanthropy.
Additionally, the Council will use the Summit to release a new advocacy toolkit for private foundations—at our breakfast plenary on April 12, featuring Nonprofit VOTE CEO Brian Miller. Make sure to register and secure your place in this powerful discussion and grow your tools for advocacy and your network. Register today!
990 PF STORYTELLING
Have you read your institution's 990-PF lately? Have you ever stopped to think what headlines it might inspire? The IRS recently started releasing e-filed Forms 990 and 990-PF as machine-readable, open data. This means that anyone, from journalists to researchers to activists, can aggregate this data and make comparisons, correlations, and judgments about philanthropy at lightning speed, all without your input. Investment practices, demographics of beneficiaries, and compensation practices are examples of 990 data that can get easily turned into compelling narratives about your foundation. This has institution-wide implications for foundations, from governance practices to grants data and from staffing to investment management and communications strategy.
Join us on Wednesday, March 28th at 2:00 pm EST for a webinar with Foundation Center to learn about sections of the Form 990-PF that present potential risks and vulnerabilities, as well as opportunities to better share your institution's work.
Speakers:
Janet Camarena, Director of Transparency Initiatives, Foundation Center
C. Davis Parchment, Manager of Knowledge Services, Foundation Center
Webinar Recordings
On February 7 and 14, respectively, we hosted two webinars:
Recent Private Philanthropy News
White People in Philanthropy—This Is Our Move: For foundation leaders—some 90 percent of whom are white—this urgent question from Vanessa Daniel, Executive Director of the Groundswell Fund, cannot be rhetorical. Along with our sheer numbers comes an undeniable fact and ever-present responsibility: It will be our courage—or our silence—that will ultimately determine whether philanthropy works to dismantle white supremacy in all its forms.
What Does Climate Change Mean for Coastal Communities?: A conversation with Erika Spanger-Siegfried on findings from a landmark report on flood risks and adaptation strategies for coastal communities and the opportunities for climate resilience in Boston and beyond.
Turning Point? Philanthropy vs. Gun Violence After the Parkland Shooting: When a mass shooting claimed the lives of 58 people in Las Vegas last fall, the national conversation turned once again to guns. But despite the usual flurry of internet arguments and talking heads, no concrete change occurred.
Upcoming Events
Inclusive Economic Prosperity in the South | March 23-24, 2018| Spartanburg, SC
With a core theme of “foundation leadership to promote inclusive economic development,” this convening will focus on two key strategies that foundations can utilize to promote economic inclusiveness: impact investing and public-private partnerships—strategies that can help communities undertake innovative capital investments and workforce investments.
Join this dynamic two-day convening in the innovation centers of two prominent Southern corporations—Milliken and BMW Manufacturing—and work directly with your foundation colleagues to explore the evolution taking shape in our economy and philanthropy’s role in ensuring everyone can benefit and prosper in their communities.
Philanthropy's Success Requires Unity
Leading together, philanthropy can revitalize communities and change lives for the better. In this time of constantly shifting circumstances, the Council is a source of stability tom amplify, advocate for, and strengthen the sector. Renew your Council membership to remain in the know as situations change, new data becomes available, and developments arise. The membership renewal period ends on April 30, 2018. Please take 90 seconds to share you intentions to renew with us. Doing so will opt you out of receiving select 2018 renewal messages.
With a core theme of “foundation leadership to promote inclusive economic development,” this convening will focus on two key strategies that foundations can utilize to promote economic inclusiveness: impact investing and public-private partnerships—strategies that can help communities undertake innovative capital investments and workforce investments.
Join this dynamic two-day convening in the innovation centers of two prominent Southern corporations—Milliken and BMW Manufacturing—and work directly with your foundation colleagues to explore the evolution taking shape in our economy and philanthropy’s role in ensuring everyone can benefit and prosper in their communities.
Yes, we intend to renew
Thank you for your membership.
Share Your Story
If you’re interested in submitting a blog about your work, what you’re learning, or any thought-provoking questions with your colleagues, feel free to contact me at talia.rivera@cof.org for the guidelines.
