Comments on: Advice to Those New to the Foundation Field http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:35:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Time of Change or Time of Crisis? - RE:Philanthropy http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-1063 Time of Change or Time of Crisis? - RE:Philanthropy Wed, 06 May 2009 06:10:43 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-1063 [...] to give than silly things like money. We convene and train and release reports and are a lot of fun to have around at a dinner party. “We can still be relevant”, we cry. We commit to making a 6% payout, forgetting to mention to [...] [...] to give than silly things like money. We convene and train and release reports and are a lot of fun to have around at a dinner party. “We can still be relevant”, we cry. We commit to making a 6% payout, forgetting to mention to [...]

]]> By: Trista Harris http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-261 Trista Harris Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:55:00 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-261 I thought I should post this reponse here as well, instead of just the email that I sent Nina. I am more than willing to talk to people one on one that are interested in starting a career in philanthropy but I would suggest that people post questions that they have about the field on the comments secton of the blog here because I feel like there is a lot more wisdom from the people that read and interact with this blog than I could ever offer and I would also suggest that people contact their local Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) chapter or the national EPIP organization at www.EPIP.org because they can connect you with an emerging philanthropic professional in your specific area of interest.<br/><br/>Best wishes,<br/>Trista I thought I should post this reponse here as well, instead of just the email that I sent Nina. I am more than willing to talk to people one on one that are interested in starting a career in philanthropy but I would suggest that people post questions that they have about the field on the comments secton of the blog here because I feel like there is a lot more wisdom from the people that read and interact with this blog than I could ever offer and I would also suggest that people contact their local Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) chapter or the national EPIP organization at http://www.EPIP.org because they can connect you with an emerging philanthropic professional in your specific area of interest.

Best wishes,
Trista

]]> By: Tidy Sum http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-260 Tidy Sum Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:29:00 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-260 Excellent post. I would add: <br/><br/>Tune in to Foundation Power Hour. Learn about foundation and nonprofit governance and learn to sketch out the power dynamics among staff and the board.<br/><br/>Find out where the bucks stop. Learn about the financial side of the field. Ask where the money comes from and how it is invested. It may intrigue you or it may make you barf.<br/><br/>Enjoy wildlife. Get a field guide to spotting sacred cows in the field. Then shoot them.<br/><br/>Moisturize. Buy some lotion cause you will need thick skin to survive.<br/><br/>Listen up. Talk for 10 percent of the time and listen for 90% of the time. We all talk to much.<br/><br/>Holla back. Defy expectations. Return your damn phone calls and emails to applicants.<br/><br/>Celebrate and laugh once in awhile. You get to meet some of the smartest people who are changing the world. <br/><br/>You lucky dawg. Excellent post. I would add:

Tune in to Foundation Power Hour. Learn about foundation and nonprofit governance and learn to sketch out the power dynamics among staff and the board.

Find out where the bucks stop. Learn about the financial side of the field. Ask where the money comes from and how it is invested. It may intrigue you or it may make you barf.

Enjoy wildlife. Get a field guide to spotting sacred cows in the field. Then shoot them.

Moisturize. Buy some lotion cause you will need thick skin to survive.

Listen up. Talk for 10 percent of the time and listen for 90% of the time. We all talk to much.

Holla back. Defy expectations. Return your damn phone calls and emails to applicants.

Celebrate and laugh once in awhile. You get to meet some of the smartest people who are changing the world.

You lucky dawg.

]]> By: Nina http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-219 Nina Fri, 18 May 2007 03:26:00 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-219 Thank you Trista for the advice in this post. I have found a wealth of inspiring and helpful information as a result of reading your blog. I am in the process of learning as much as I can about Foundations and Philanthropy, as I intend to make a career change into this field. I don't have a "wonderful mentor" as of yet . . . are you available? Is such a question even feasible? (Forgive me, I'm new to blogging as well - I don't know the rules). Might you be available for an informational interview? Thank you Trista for the advice in this post. I have found a wealth of inspiring and helpful information as a result of reading your blog. I am in the process of learning as much as I can about Foundations and Philanthropy, as I intend to make a career change into this field. I don’t have a “wonderful mentor” as of yet . . . are you available? Is such a question even feasible? (Forgive me, I’m new to blogging as well – I don’t know the rules). Might you be available for an informational interview?

]]> By: Magpie http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-209 Magpie Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:03:00 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-209 Fascinating. I'm on the other side - I've worked in non-profit organizations for the last 20 years. Occasionally I daydream about giving money away instead of always asking. Fascinating. I’m on the other side – I’ve worked in non-profit organizations for the last 20 years. Occasionally I daydream about giving money away instead of always asking.

]]> By: M http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-208 M Thu, 26 Apr 2007 01:01:00 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-208 I'm another foundation newbie, only 7 months in, and your advice is spot on. Especially your second point. <br/><br/>I was lucky enough to be a fundraiser before taking a position at a foundation, most of the other program staff at my foundation haven't been in the grantees shoes. Some have been at the foundation for almost 30 years. <br/><br/>After a while I think they lose touch with what it is like to be the grantee or potential grantee, so I try and remind them. Great blog :) I’m another foundation newbie, only 7 months in, and your advice is spot on. Especially your second point.

I was lucky enough to be a fundraiser before taking a position at a foundation, most of the other program staff at my foundation haven’t been in the grantees shoes. Some have been at the foundation for almost 30 years.

After a while I think they lose touch with what it is like to be the grantee or potential grantee, so I try and remind them. Great blog :)

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-203 Anonymous Tue, 24 Apr 2007 20:23:00 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-203 I have worked for two family foundations each with unrelated grant programs, for two years. It's often mind-boggling what I need to learn and speak to. I found this job by talking with one of the foundation trustees at a non-profit organization's social function. My goal since the beginning was to be as open as possible with the grantseekers. Since I used to be a grantseeker, I know how hard their jobs are. <br/><br/>Excellent post and I'm looking forward to reading more!! I have worked for two family foundations each with unrelated grant programs, for two years. It’s often mind-boggling what I need to learn and speak to. I found this job by talking with one of the foundation trustees at a non-profit organization’s social function. My goal since the beginning was to be as open as possible with the grantseekers. Since I used to be a grantseeker, I know how hard their jobs are.

Excellent post and I’m looking forward to reading more!!

]]> By: Phil Anthropy http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-202 Phil Anthropy Tue, 24 Apr 2007 19:24:00 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-202 Nice to hear the voices of the next generation of philanthropy leaders.<br/><br/>Your "advice" shouldn't be limited to those new to the field, but to those with 5, 10, and 20 years of experience as well.<br/><br/>I look forward to future posts. Nice to hear the voices of the next generation of philanthropy leaders.

Your “advice” shouldn’t be limited to those new to the field, but to those with 5, 10, and 20 years of experience as well.

I look forward to future posts.

]]> By: Donald http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-200 Donald Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:54:00 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-200 While there isn't a "handbook" for being a program officer, the next best thing is the book, <a HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Guide-Grantmaking-Joel-Orosz/dp/0787952389/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-3959953-6976153?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1177433524&sr=8-1" REL="nofollow">The Insider's Guide to GrantMaking</a> by Joel Orosz. Orosz does a nice job of providing an overview of the mechanics of working at a foundation as well as some of the high- and low-points (some of which touch on your points). It won't speak to how every foundation works, but it's a good jumping-off point.<br/><br/>Like you, I've just finished my first year as a program officer at a foundation, and I've actually begun putting together a handbook for our future hires (since I have a bit of a techie background, I'm calling it the Program Officer HOWTO, after the Linux HOWTOs). I'm attempting to take all of the lessons and "aha!" moments that I have as I learn the ropes and put them in one place so others might have an easier time of it.<br/><br/>One thing I've definitely learned as I interact with other foundations around the community and around the country, however, is that no two foundations are alike. The Program Officer HOWTO that I assemble for my foundation will provide little or no insight into how to do the same job at another foundation; we just approach our grantmaking responsibilities differently.<br/><br/>I'm looking forward to seeing more posts on your blog!<br/><br/>Don While there isn’t a “handbook” for being a program officer, the next best thing is the book, The Insider’s Guide to GrantMaking by Joel Orosz. Orosz does a nice job of providing an overview of the mechanics of working at a foundation as well as some of the high- and low-points (some of which touch on your points). It won’t speak to how every foundation works, but it’s a good jumping-off point.

Like you, I’ve just finished my first year as a program officer at a foundation, and I’ve actually begun putting together a handbook for our future hires (since I have a bit of a techie background, I’m calling it the Program Officer HOWTO, after the Linux HOWTOs). I’m attempting to take all of the lessons and “aha!” moments that I have as I learn the ropes and put them in one place so others might have an easier time of it.

One thing I’ve definitely learned as I interact with other foundations around the community and around the country, however, is that no two foundations are alike. The Program Officer HOWTO that I assemble for my foundation will provide little or no insight into how to do the same job at another foundation; we just approach our grantmaking responsibilities differently.

I’m looking forward to seeing more posts on your blog!

Don

]]> By: Bruce http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field/comment-page-1#comment-199 Bruce Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:26:00 +0000 http://www.tristaharris.org/advice-to-those-new-to-the-foundation-field#comment-199 Years ago the foundation I worked for at the time -- Edna McConnell Clark Foundation -- was the focus of a Harvard Business School case study. The study examined the difficulty then president Michael Bailin faced in remaking the foundation's approach to grantmaking. When the case was presented at Harvard, Bailin was there and took questions from students afterward. One that stands out was from a soon-to-graduate business major who asked,"I've spent the last several years in business school learning the importance of innovation. Yet, the case that was presented on your foundation shows how change resistant foundations are -- even those that purport to want to do business differently. What could possible appeal to someone like me to go to work for a foundation?" Bailin's response: "We need people like you who know how to implement change. You're the ones who will help change how we do business." Years ago the foundation I worked for at the time — Edna McConnell Clark Foundation — was the focus of a Harvard Business School case study. The study examined the difficulty then president Michael Bailin faced in remaking the foundation’s approach to grantmaking. When the case was presented at Harvard, Bailin was there and took questions from students afterward. One that stands out was from a soon-to-graduate business major who asked,”I’ve spent the last several years in business school learning the importance of innovation. Yet, the case that was presented on your foundation shows how change resistant foundations are — even those that purport to want to do business differently. What could possible appeal to someone like me to go to work for a foundation?” Bailin’s response: “We need people like you who know how to implement change. You’re the ones who will help change how we do business.”

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