COF Call to Action: Support Full Funding of the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program
President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (H.R.1388) into law on April 21. The Serve America legislation will improve and expand national and community service programs and strengthen the infrastructure for volunteerism within the nonprofit community. In addition, the legislation would create a Nonprofit Capacity Building Program (NCBP) within the Corporation for National and Community Service to award grants to nonprofit organizations for “social entrepreneurship” projects. Read the Council’s analysis of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.  Although President Obama has signed the “Edward M. Kennedy Serve Act” into law, Congress still needs to make the appropriations. Funding will not be available until October 1st, 2009 at the earliest when the new federal fiscal year begins.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies is scheduled to mark up its bill that would fund the Serve America Act tomorrow (Friday, July 10). Independent Sector (IS) and the Voices for National Service have issued a call to action asking constituents to contact their representatives and senators to urge them to fully fund the Serve America Act.  The Council sent a letter to Chairman David Obey (D-WI) and Ranking Member Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) asking them to support full funding for the NCBP.

Take Action Now: Contact the members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies and tell them that the philanthropic sector supports full funding of the NCBP.  The NCBP would encourage the growth of charitable giving, by recognizing the power, innovation, and reform that can be achieved through the expansion of a partnership between government, the private sector and philanthropy. 
Foundations on the Hill-District Days
Additionally, the Council encourages members to engage their lawmakers and their staffs during the upcoming August congressional recess to discuss legislative proposals impacting the sector, such as the Serve America Act.  It is important that foundation and grantmaking constituents maintain and enhances a political environment that promotes philanthropy and charitable giving. Foundations on the Hill-District Days (FOTH-DD) is a great opportunity for your members of Congress to hear directly from you while they are back in their home states and districts.

When you meet with your lawmakers, please ask them to:

• Support full funding of the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program. In April 2009, Congress authorized $5 million per year for the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program (NCBP) as part of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (H.R. 1388). The NCBP requires a 50 percent non-federal match by nonprofits, which may include funding from third parties such as corporate philanthropy, charitable grantmakers, or state or local government agencies. We support full funding of this program.
• Support the expansion and extension of the IRA charitable rollover to include gifts above $100,000 and allow taxpayers to make distributions to donor advised funds, supporting organizations, and private foundations in addition to traditional charities. On June 24 Representatives Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) and Wally Herger (R-CA), sponsors of the House IRA bill, circulated a dear colleague letter urging House members to co- sponsor the measure. Follow up with your Representative by asking him/her to co-sponsor the Public Good IRA Rollover Act (H.R.1250). Additionally, be sure to ask your Senators to co-sponsor S.864, the Senate companion IRA bill.
• Support a flat, revenue-neutral private foundation excise tax by co-sponsoring S. 676. To date, there is no House companion excise tax bill. The Council’s public policy staff is working with Congress to identify a sponsor and is hopeful that a bill will be introduced soon. Alternatively, please ask your Representatives to support a legislative proposal to implement a flat, revenue-neutral private foundation excise tax.
• Maintain current law on charitable deduction rates. President Obama’s fiscal 2010 budget calls for tax changes that would reduce the value of itemized deductions which families earning more than $250,000 or individuals earning more than $200,000 can take for charitable donations. Specifically, the budget proposes to cap the tax benefit at 28 percent for itemized charitable deductions. 
• Become a member of the philanthropy caucus in the House and in the Senate.

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Last fall I wrote about the NGEN track at the Independent Sector Conference. This year they are strengthening that track with a NGEN fellowship. This is a great opportunity to network and strengthen your career. From IS:

Are you an accomplished young professional already serving as a nonprofit leader?

 Are you ready to magnify your impact through dynamic collaboration with your peers?

 Recognizing that the leaders we need tomorrow are poised to contribute today, Independent Sector is pleased to introduce the American Express NGen Fellows Program. This exciting new program will offer 12 young professionals from IS member organizations a rare opportunity to magnify their impact and accelerate their careers. The program, which includes complementary registration and lodging for the 2009 Annual Conference, will build the capacity of these emerging leaders through tailored online and in-person programming and special networking opportunities.

 American Express NGen Fellows will be a diverse and talented group selected from under-40 staff at IS member organizations.  Visit the IS website to learn more about the benefits of participation in the fellows program, the selection process, and how to apply.  Applications are due August 14, 2009. 

 The American Express NGen Fellows Program enhances IS’s NGen: Moving Nonprofit Leaders from Next to Now program, which is designed to expand and improve the nonprofit talent pool by developing the leadership skills and networks of emerging leaders.  Free to all under-40 conference attendees, NGen offers targeted workshop sessions addressing topics important to emerging leaders and opportunities for rising young professionals to connect with leaders of all ages. Register for the IS Annual Conference today!

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The term marginalized males would sound like an oxymoron to the casual philanthropic observer. Men are part of the mainstream and benefit from numerous socio-economic advantages in our culture. But just the opposite is the case for large swaths of men who tend to fall into the gap where mainstream culture ends and philanthropy begins. For instance, black men have higher incarceration and unemployment rates than any other population demographic, including black woman.

One such population usually registers more below the radar than most: African American and Latino—black and brown—gay men. Although prevention programs are helping reduce vast disparities in HIV/AIDS prevalence with mainstream communities, black and brown gays receive very little outreach programming. But a lot is needed. For instance, black gays experience a high incidence of prostate cancer, but are the least likely to be screened, according to Kenyon Farrow, the national public education director for Queers for Economic Justice.

Black and brown gays don’t use more drugs and aren’t more promiscuous than white gays, Farrow says, and their communities aren’t necessarily more homophobic. But high poverty, crime, and other socio-economic disparities between black and brown communities and white communities are further marginalizing gays. Healthcare and other support infrastructure targets gays, but it exists in white communities. A black or brown gay man may have to travel an hour through unfamiliar territory to access it. The process is more than inconvenient, it can be dangerous. Black and brown gay men have to think strategically about who they sit next to on public transportation or which stony glances from strangers might indicate trouble. The result is that many black and brown gays wind up feeling isolated, without any access to support.

Philanthropy can help address the issue by becoming more informed on the issues and targeting black and brown gay outreach groups for funding that reaches beyond HIV/AIDS to support other work, such as the leadership and organizational development necessary to increase advocacy and civil rights responses.

For more information:

Queers for Economic Justice

Provides information about economic and social issues facing LGBT communities, including black and brown communities. Also check out its recent report, “Poverty, Public Assistance & Privatization.”

Harlem United Community AIDS Center

One of the more effective outreach efforts to black gays, which engaged Harlem gays on a personal level.

International Federation of Black Prides (IFBP)
Publicizes black LGBT community issues by organizing local chapters of over 30 national black LGBT pride organizations.

Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP) Network
Organization Kenyon Farrow cited as currently engaging in the most interesting model of talking about HIV not only as a health issues but as a social justice issue.

Marginalized Males Funders Group
An organization of national funders that is building broader support and attention to the men falling into the gap and the impact on society.

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Since it seems like the whole world is covering Michael Jackson, I thought it was only fitting to bring you a recent post from the Philanthropy Potluck about Michael Jackson’s philanthropic efforts. From Philanthropy Potluck:

News about Jackson’s death got me wondering was Jackson a philanthropist? The answer is, “Yes.”

According to Wikipedia, Jackson donated over $300 million to charity over the course of his lifetime. Among his most notable contributions to philanthropy were his musical ones.  He wrote and performed two hit singles that had a huge impact philanthropically.

Sales of “We are the World,” co-written with Lionel Richie in 1985, raised over $100 million for  USA for Africa.  Similarly, the proceeds of the “Heal the World” single, and the subsequent tour, were all donated to charity.

Say what you might about Michael Jackson. There’s a lot there to talk about–the outfits, the scandals, the weird pet chimp. Despite of all the dross,  you can’t deny he gave a lot.

In fact, I would even go so far as to say that there’s something that we can take away from the charitable work that Jackson did while he was alive. Namely, a lesson about the power of using your own personal talents to become a philanthropist.

Read the rest of the post here.

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Image from David Cowles

I have a few pieces of standard advice that I give to friends that are applying to program officer positions, so I thought I’d share the same advice with you, my virtual friends. Program officer positions rarely come open, especially now with so many foundations downsizing, so it is important that you do what you can to stand out.

• Don’t ask, don’t tell policy for your age- If you are a younger applicant, please take your graduation date off of your resume. Regardless of how much relevant experience you have, many hiring managers will write you off as a youngster if your undergraduate or graduate degree was received after Y2K.
• Work your networks- If you used to nanny for the board chair or you were in Americorps with one of the program assistants, make sure you talk to that person before you apply and mention that they encouraged you to apply in the cover letter. There is nothing that gives you an easier edge than name dropping. It won’t get you the job but it will make the HR person that is going through 300 applicants take a second look.
• Know your target- Get to know the culture of the foundation from your previous interactions with them in the community or through a thorough read of the website. Do the grantees fit your values, do you believe in the mission, do you respect the reputation of the other staff? Make sure it is a fit before applying and if it is a fit with your values and experience, explain why in the cover letter.
• Know the job- Is the foundation looking for a generalist that can analyze a variety of nonprofits? Then highlight your analytical skills and expertise across the field. Are they looking for a content expert? Then it’s time to put that oceanology degree to work.
• Be timely- If you are interested in a position, don’t play hard to get and wait until the last day to apply. Many foundations start screening applications a week or two after the position is posted. They many already have a favorite candidate if you wait until the last minute.
• Don’t sell yourself short- Many people see their dream job and don’t apply because they are sure that they don’t have a chance.  Even if it seems like there will be most experienced applicants, you might just have the mix of education, personality, and experience the foundation is looking for. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t make.

What is other advice that you would give to someone applying for a program officer position?

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I’m proud to announce Tom’s of Maine “50 States for Good” program, which will celebrate and reward non-profits whose efforts are focused on lasting, positive change. Tom’s of Maine will award $100,000 to five nonprofits from a community fund that will ultimately be directed by a public vote. To launch the “50 States for Good” initiative, Tom’s of Maine has created a virtual hub at www.50statesforgood.com, where applications for participation are available from June 1 through August 30 to all qualifying 501 (c)(3) organizations. After the submission phase, online voting by the public will determine which five projects will receive $20,000 each.

Tom’s asked nonprofit bloggers to develop videos advertising the program, you can see my video above. I’ve managed to squeeze my husband, son, and daughter in the video (hey, if Aaron Spelling can do it, so can I), see if you can find them.

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Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri is seeking nominations for the position of Director of the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work. The School seeks a director who will coordinate the Center’s curriculum and program development and will work to recruit and support students. The director will act as a liaison to and develop productive relationships with American Indian communities and constituencies, both local and national. In addition, the successful candidate will pursue philanthropic opportunities to expand the Center’s resources and scope of impact. This exciting opportunity is a senior staff position with the possibility of a non-tenure-track faculty appointment. The School seeks candidates with strong interest and experience in working with American Indian communities and issues.

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Even if the economy recovers this year, you’re likely to have fewer grantmaking dollars available next year because of the wacky world of endowment economics. What kind of evaluation tools are you using to help your grantees do more with less while preserving and growing your base of support in the community?

An increasing number of foundations are turning to evaluation with a diversity lens (EDL) to ensure they remain effective. Even if your work doesn’t focus on diversity, using the principles of EDL will help strengthen the impact of your grants, deepen your connection to the community, and transform evaluation into a learning process (as opposed to a simplified measure of cause and effect).

Here’s how: One of philanthropy’s leading authorities on EDL, Dr. Ricardo Millet , says that EDL’s tools allow you to engage in constant and authentic contact with the community that invites a diversity of input, not only from all the various cultural stakeholders but the variety of ways for them to access you.

This includes inviting grantees and a range of diverse community leaders to discuss program strategy and offer input on key strategic planning decisions, such as determining the underlying causes of community challenges and collectively setting benchmarks towards addressing them. Staff and board members also need to have a cultural makeup that reflects the community and understand how this facilitates communication and achieves results. Realize that EDL isn’t about cause and effect so much as learning and growing.

EDL is still an emerging field of evaluation study, which means right now you have a great opportunity to affect its growth. You can participate in field-wide discussions about it and offer suggestions for best practices based on your observations.

Dr. Millett has agreed to talk with readers about their questions and comments about EDL. You can reach him at the following e-mail address: ricardo@ricardomillett.com.

For more information: Check out  GrantCraft’s publication on a similar concept, grantmaking with a racial equity lens and also check out the website of Diversity in Philanthropy later in June, when Dr. Millett’s case study on EDL will be published (at this link).

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I have always prided myself on having a semblance of work-life balance but last week was a prime example of why I do not have it all figured out. As our fiscal year is ending, I realized that I will lose some vacation time because I haven’t taken any real time off since I started my job at Headwaters. As I looked at my calendar to figure out when would be a good time for vacation, I realized that I have scheduled commitments throughout the summer and last week was my best chance at some time away. During this time we are also looking a a variety of new funding opportunities, that are especially important now (because of the little global economic meltdown and its impact on our endowment and our nonprofits). So during this relaxing vacation:

• I went into the office to meet with a board committee, participate in a conversation with a consultant about an application we are submitting, and to pick up a pile of files for another grant application,
• Participated in  variety of conference calls,
• Checked email every few hours and responded to about 100 emails,
• Went to a school conference,
• Checked my Twitter-feed endlessly and forwarded interesting links to my staff

This isn’t a “woe is me” post, this is a “woe is my staff” post. It has taken me till the sixth day of workaholic craziness to realize that I am being a terrible example to my staff and to my family. For the staff, I am saying that vacation time doesn’t really mean time “off” from work, it means an expectation of being connected from another location. I may not mean that, but its what I show by example. It also looks like I don’t trust them to make decisions in my absence, which is also not the intention but it sure looks like that. For my family, it means that when I say that I am hanging out with them, I am actually thinking about work and often doing work. There is nothing more exciting to a five year old than watching Mommy check her Twitter feed.

The only good thing about noticing a character flaw is that you have to notice it before you can fix it. Here’s to making not working work next time.

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Working in the field of childhood obesity, I’ve recently been learning a lot about the slow food movement and talking to advocates addressing hunger and access to healthy foods.  One such advocate recently sent me a link to a blog posting where the author saved a McDonald’s hamburger for 12 years and it looked pretty much the same from day one.   During the same time of reconsidering whether I will ever eat another McDonald’s hamburger, my foundation (like many others) is being confronted with reductions to both our administrative and our grant making budgets.  My team just completed re-prioritizing our current and future grant making plans which included looking a lot more closely at sustainability.  How long will a program last after our immediate grant ends? 

I’ve also been reflecting on the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy report “Criteria for Philanthropy at its Best”.  It had been on my reading list for a couple of months now and I finally got around to at least reading select chapters.  One that particularly caught my attention was the “Effectiveness” criterion.  I have been a proponent for operational grants for quite some time because, when done right, they can lead to strengthening the sustainability of an organization.  I also support multi-year grants but with the stipulation that the funder and organization work together to ensure that, if the program is effective, it can continue operating after the grant ends.  I was a little disappointed that the report didn’t touch upon sustainability as part of grant making effectiveness.  To me, the two should go hand-in-hand; if a foundation is willing to make the commitment to a 3-4 year grant, then the grantee should have a sustainability plan ready for when that grant ends.  And I’m not just talking financial but also sustainable impact on the community being served, such as through grant making for policy change.

So, does your grant leave the grantee ready to continue its good work when your funding ends or is the organization scrambling for more funding a year before the grant’s over?  Will the impact of the funded activity last beyond the foundation’s financial commitment?  Do your grants last longer than a McDonald’s hamburger?

PS: Click here if you’re curious about the 12-year old hamburger.  I haven’t eaten one since…

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