Community Philanthropy Update — July 2017
As we hit the midpoint of 2017, community and economic development are shrinking in many places. A number of our community foundation members are deploying more resources to stop this decline in their communities. For example, this recent article was food for thought on the topic of employment and the skills gap. You’ll find an abundance of resources on community and economic development for community foundations from an event we hosted in Indianapolis this past April, including the PowerPoint slides, on our website. We will continue this critical conversation in 2018, so stay tuned.
Another valuable resource to consider is the relevant role broadband access and digital inclusion plays in community and economic development. Listen to our recent webinar on this topic, which included insights from Leon Wilson of the Cleveland Foundation, and find additional free resources on this topic below.
Recent Blog Posts Worth a Read
Enjoy a selection of good, quick reads. You can also subscribe to our blog feed.
- A Word On Partnerships
- We are Immigrants
- The Human Side of Digital Security and Philanthropy
- Hill Legislation Shows Standards Role
- The Push for Equality Continues
- Career Pathways: Learning in Dallas
- Community Foundation of Lowcountry: Public Sewers to Homes
Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Report Now Available
The 2016 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Full Report is now available. As a valued Council member, you receive complimentary access to this invaluable report — a $399 value.
The 2016 GSB Full Report continues to be the largest and most comprehensive report in the U.S. on grantmaker composition and compensation — covering 9,945 full-time paid professional and administrative staff positions at 1,010 independent, family, community, and public foundations, as well as corporate grantmaking organizations. Community foundations use the report to plan their budgets, benchmark their personnel policies and practices, determine salary levels for new and existing staff, and understand the demographics of the talent in the field more broadly.
This year, as in previous years, Council members and 2016 GSB survey participants will receive the suite of invaluable GSB products, including the Full Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report, access to Benchmark Central, the Council’s online benchmarking tool, an invitation in October 2017 to a webinar on how to make the most of Benchmark Central, the ability to request regional custom reports produced by the Council, and a complimentary trend analysis paper on the age, racial, and gender demographic results of the 2016 GSB Survey with a discussion guide which will be sent later in the summer.
Any foundations with questions can contact Julianne Sobral at julianne.sobral@cof.org
When It Comes to DAFs, Stifling Regulation Is Not the Answer
David Bennett, Executive Director of Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, shares his thoughts on why when it comes to protecting community foundation interests in Washington, no organization can match the depth of talent and breadth of knowledge that is provided by the Council on Foundations.
CCFE Fundamentals—Boston, MA
Join our Center for Community Foundation Excellence (CCFE) Fundamentals course, held at the Boston Foundation, on November 9-10, 2017. A well-trained staff and an informed board are critical to the success of community foundations in our fast-changing world, and you’ll learn the essential skills you need to balance governance and management from veteran practitioners and our legal team during this two-day training.
Core Issues and Interests of Donors and Your Community
Your donors are interested in education, arts and culture, and healthy living, and your community needs workforce development, social services, and 21st-century infrastructure. You can be the one to bring federal resources to advance the interests of and attract new opportunities that appeal to your donors, nonprofits, and community.
To do so, you need access to broadband. Is that not easily available in your community? In partnership with BroadbandUSA, I can help you get technical assistance in support of broadband infrastructure and digital inclusion strategies, find federal funding opportunities, and learn about planning, funding, and business models for public-private partnerships.
Your foundation can be a convener and thought leader and help your community implement new strategies and raise more money without spending a grant dollar.
Does this interest you? Email me at brad.ward@cof.org or give me a call on 703.879.0640.
Here are a few resources to get you started:
- Why Does Broadband Matter?
- Broadband Funding Guide
- Watch our recent webinar recording
- Receive invitations to regional seminars focusing on broadband planning and funding
National Standards Video Recording Available
Our team at the Council responsible for National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® recently conducted a webinar with Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. It introduces the accreditation process and shares issues on the minds of community foundations based on what the team is hearing from the over 500 out of 780 U.S. community foundations that are accredited through this program.
- Watch the recent recording
- Have questions about Standards? Contact Christina Gonzalez
Connect with Our Legal Team in Raleigh, NC
Join the Council on July 27 for a day-long workshop led by Senior Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs Suzanne Friday about the legal issues that matter to community foundations. Suzanne will provide a technical and practical understanding of complex rules and regulations and answer questions about administering funds, grants, and other hot topics and pressing issues that affect community foundations.
Designed to be a hands-on, discussion-oriented, question- and answer-based learning experience, this event is filling up fast. While geared towards community foundations in the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland regions, we are holding a few spots for national attendees—so don’t delay and join us for an interactive day with our legal team. Whether from the region or not, you are invited to take advantage of this exciting convening with our legal team!
Register today for Legal Matters on July 27, 2017
An IRS Audit?
Many foundations are in the final stages of their annual audit, preparing for their board presentations in the fall. Have you ever considered an IRS audit and what it would entail? BDO presenter Lee Klumpp flagged this presentation on how to prepare for an IRS audit during last year’s Endowment and Finance Summit, and it remains relevant today.
Don’t forget, registration for the 2017 Endowment & Finance Summit is open!
Scholarships at community foundations
Our friends at National College Access Network picked up on an interesting trend about the role of scholarships at community foundations and identified surprising ways you can transform students’ lives and delight donors.
- Download their informative white paper on scholarships
- Read their insightful blog on the overall issue
- Join our webinar to explore this issue and paper
Additional Learning Opportunities:
HR Summit | August 16-17 | Minneapolis, MN
Open to HR leads of foundations with 15 or more employees, the HR Summit is a unique opportunity to learn how to make organizations — and philanthropy as a whole — more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
Growing Community Foundation Conference | October 1-3, 2017 | Wichita, KS
The Council will once again serve as a Resource Partner to the Growing Community Foundation Conference, a strong learning environment for community foundations $80 million and under in assets or focused on learning the basics to community foundation management.
Endowments & Finance Summit | October 12-13, 2017 | New York, NY
The Endowments and Finance Summit is the premier convening to hear expert insights and have in-depth conversations on the best practices and financial strategies to get a competitive advantage in the philanthropic advisory marketplace. Early bird pricing for members ends July 31.
CEO & Trustee Retreat | December 5-6, 2017 | Miami, FL
Explore the critically important CEO-board chair relationship and develop the tools and awareness you need to gain goal and role alignment. Registration opens for members in mid-July. Space is limited.
