Private Philanthropy Newsletter - December 2017
As 2017 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how much I’ve learned from you this year.
When I transitioned to the role of Director of Private Philanthropy in January, it was extremely important to me that I spoke to you about the present and future needs of private philanthropy. My goal was to use what I learned to create a focused learning agenda on topics and issues that are important to you.
Throughout the year, I spent countless hours on the telephone, corresponding through email, and traveling across the country for in-person meetings. For those of you who I was unable to meet with in person, I created a survey to make sure I captured your voice as well. My interactions with you (whether in-person or by reading your survey responses) has given me a deeper understanding of the specific and unique needs of independent and family foundations.
It was staggering to learn how similar your needs and interests are to one another. Many of you expressed interest in learning strategies for cross-sector collaboration and performance management. You wanted to learn more about how the federal budget cuts were going to impact your grantmaking and the communities you serve. It felt great knowing I was able to play a part in some of your learning this year.
Here’s a recap of what we learned together:
- Journey Towards Outcomes
- Policy and Private Philanthropy Part 1: President’s Budget and Congressional Appropriations
- Policy and Private Philanthropy Part 2: Effective Strategies for Supporting Public Policy Advocacy Campaigns
This year we also launched a new quarterly series called, “Lunch with Legal Counsel” with Suzanne Friday, the Council's Senior Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs. Suzanne designed these webinars to help you navigate the rules and effects of private foundation classifications. She facilitated sessions on:
- Minimum Distribution Requirement: The Ins and Outs of Section 4942
- Taxes on Investments which Jeopardize Charitable Purpose
- Self-Dealing
I want to thank you for helping me curate content that was relevant and applicable. I look forward to furthering our learning together in 2018.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL IS UNDERWAY
By now, you should have received your 2018 membership dues statement. If you have not received it, or would like another copy, you can request it from our Membership team.
In the interim, please take three minutes to share with us your intentions to renew. Doing so will opt you out of receiving select 2018 renewal communications.
With all that is at stake, we need the strongest possible voice for our nation and philanthropic community. Your membership allows us to better amplify the great work you do, advocate on behalf of the sector, and strengthen philanthropy across the country and world.
THE BUSH FOUNDATION APPROACH
In October, the Bush Foundation published the Bush Learning Papers to share what they are learning as they invest in great ideas and the people who power them. In January, I will be hosting the first of a two-part series with the President of the Bush Foundation, Jennifer Ford Reedy, to discuss how they have used an analytical approach to identify the right people who can make a difference, and supply them with the tools, connections, and inspiration they need.
In these sessions, you will learn about the four pillars that frame the Bush Foundation's approach and how they invest in the development of their staff members to advance their foundation's mission to think bigger and differently.
SAVE THE DATES
THE BUSH APPROACH
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018
3 P.M. EST/12 P.M. PST
TALENT MANAGEMENT FOR IMPACT
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2018
2 P.M. EST/11 A.M. PST
EFFICIENT IMPACT FRONTIER (NEW DATE)
I want to invite you to join me for a conversation with Michael McCreless, Senior Director of Strategy & Impact for Root Capital, on Thursday, February 7th, 2018, in which Michael will explain his investment simulator, the efficient impact frontier.
The efficient impact frontier seeks to provide investors with tools to efficiently balance risk, return, and impact in their portfolios. He will provide a brief introduction to impact investing and share the challenges that foundations may face as they engage impact investors. He will also highlight the crucial role that philanthropy can play in keeping investing focused on impact.
Finally, he will describe how the concept of the "efficient impact frontier” can be useful in helping foundations and impact investors collaborate more effectively to set—and achieve—shared impact goals.
WEDNESDAY, FEBURARY 7 AT 2 P.M. EST/11 A.M. PST
REGISTER HERE
Public Policy Summit
Philanthropy is a driver of civil society. It fuels the programs and movements that shape our culture across communities. In this role, foundations are uniquely situated with the experience and expertise to lead the way forward on issues that affect people throughout our nation and across the globe. As leaders in philanthropy, it is our civic duty to extend this leadership to provide expert input in the policymaking process.
The Council’s inaugural Public Policy Summit, hosted in the birthplace of American Democracy, promises to engage foundation leaders, policy experts, media representatives, and current and former Members of Congress and other elected officials in important conversations around the policy issues that are critical to ensuring that philanthropy can flourish.
This exciting and engaging event is an opportunity to learn and be heard. Plus, you will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and influence the positive impact that philanthropy—including the good work done by your organization—has on communities across the country and world.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The Public Policy Summit is ideal for senior foundation leaders including organization heads and general counsels, board members, and public policy and advocacy-focused staff.
WHY ATTEND?
- Engage: Connect with your colleagues, elected officials, and other experts on ways to unleash philanthropy’s political capital to further your charitable mission and influence policymaking around shared interests.
- Amplify: From issue-specific policy, to broad-scale advocacy strategy, we will discuss how foundations can amplify their voice in policy conversations at the local, state, and federal level.
- Discover: Learn about the latest regulatory and policy issues and their emerging impacts — and develop a solid understanding of how the 2018 midterm elections may affect the sector and charitable giving.
APRIL11-13, 2018
PHILADELPHIA, PA
REGISTER HERE
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 guidelines.
