Community Foundation Update - December 2016
Happy holidays! May this month be filled with year-end giving and exciting developments to propel you into 2017! As always, the Council is here for you, and I’m writing to share a few resources for you to consider as the year comes to an end.
First, the most recent developments in the Oakland Warehouse Fire and Chattanooga School Bus tragedy.
- Philanthropy Responds to Another National Tragedy: Oakland Warehouse Fire
- Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga partners with United Way to support Woodmore School and the tragic school bus accident
Forum with Philanthropic Leaders on Clean Energy Strategies
On December 15 (this Thursday), the Department of Energy is holding a forum on clean energy work. They'll offer a briefing on their work thus far and hear from philanthropic representatives on the progress our field is making. The event will be held at the Department of Energy (1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20585), but attendees can also participate via phone or web access.
To RSVP, please email miranda.pham@hq.doe.gov as soon as possible. Please indicate in your email whether you will be attending in person or by phone/web. If you attend by phone/web, a dial-in number and instructions will be provided upon receipt of your RSVP.
Winter Sunshine and Professional Development
Take advantage of Center for Community Foundation Excellence (CCFE) Fundamentals training in one of our many sunshine-filled spots this winter:
- January 26-27 in Miami, FL
- March 6-7 in Sacramento, CA
- April 22-23 in Dallas, TX
Another Fundamentals course will take place in Boston on November 9-10.
We will also offer a new piloted course in April called For Community Leadership: Community & Economic Development. Stay tuned for more details.
Don’t miss the 2017 Annual Conference — designed with community philanthropy in mind!
Want to Be Part of Upholding Our Community Foundation Standards?
The deadline is rapidly approaching (December 16, 2016) to nominate yourself, a colleague, or a board member for an open position on the Community Foundations National Standards Board (CFNSB). The CFNSB Directors advance the significant role of community foundations nationwide through a robust national accreditation program and public policies that enhance a community of philanthropy — and the Council on Foundations actively engages the CFNSB in our national work.
Is Community Philanthropy at Risk Within Tax Reform and Regulatory Pressures?
This could be as monumental as the Pension Protection Act of 2006, and we are ready to weather the storm with you. Do what you can to advance community philanthropy with your legislative representatives and local government leaders by using our Advocacy Toolkit.
National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® Announces New Requirement
The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® program has announced a new fund activity policy requirement that will become effective January 1, 2017. The requirement is the result of months of work by the National Standards Advisory Committee — a proactive decision designed to address the threat for legislation that would be harmful to community foundations. For more information, you can visit the National Standards website.
Addressing Multiple Generations of Advising for Donor Advised Funds
Members were recently conversing on The Philanthropy Exchange about the role of minors in succeeding advisory roles for donor advised funds. This led to a host of questions and considerations as a foundation develops policy and best practices for engaging multiple generations in family philanthropy through DAFs. Read one member’s story captured here.
What We All Can Learn From Rural Philanthropy
Recently the Wall Street Journal noted that the U.S. will never reach full employment without more startups. Here are just a few resources you might consider using to expand your horizons and inspire entrepreneurism, help small businesses to flourish, and retool the workforce for new technologies and evolved workplaces:
- Center for Rural Entrepreneurship
- Mission Investors Exchange — Unlocking Investment in Rural America
- Incourage — Putting the Force Back Into Workforce
- A New Domain for Place-Rooted Foundations: Economic Development Philanthropy
Form 990 and Foundation 101 Training
The Council on Foundations is pleased to share the recordings below of an August 18, 2016 workshop presented by Lara Kalwinski, Senior Counsel for Compliance & Policy with the Council, at Incourage Community Foundation.
- Council on Foundations — Form 990 Training (August 18, 2016)
- Council on Foundations — "Foundations 101" Training (August 18, 2016)
#GivingTuesday Kicks Off the Holiday Season
Many participated in #GivingTuesday, either to raise endowed gifts, promote awareness for local volunteer opportunities, or to act as a capacity builder of local nonprofits and community philanthropy, which I wrote about on our blog. What did your foundation do this year? Please share how you celebrated #GivingTuesday.
Happy December!
