In a strategy being used very successfully with many public resources—such as the Sacramento Zoo which the city of Sacramento transitioned management and fund raising to the nonprofit Sacramento Zoological Society in 1997—County government, struggling with being able to adequately fund the Effie Yeaw Nature Center, has asked for proposals from nonprofits.
While the time frames are probably too tight—without continued County support—to manage a seamless transition, it is nonetheless, a wise strategy.
One of the nonprofits submitting a proposal will be the American River Natural History Association—for which I served as board president several years ago—and they have commented about the situation.
An excerpt.
“Sacramento County officials have requested detailed proposals from four local nonprofit organizations on how they would manage the Effie Yeaw Nature Center if selected when county operation is scheduled to end June 30.
“Four nonprofits stepped up when a budget crunch threatened closure of the center: the American River Natural History Association (ARNHA), the American River Parkway Foundation, the Sacramento County Office of Education, and the Discovery Museum on Auburn Blvd., Sacramento.
“Each organization was asked to provide information on such key subjects as anticipated revenue and expenditures, and plans for fulfilling the nature center's basic services for children, teens and adults such as nature tours, animal care and exhibits. The deadline for submitting the proposals is June 4.
“The requests for proposals were issued following a Board of Supervisors May 12 Workshop on future of the financially struggling regional parks system.”
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Homeless Funds
The Sacramento Bee reports that many wonder what is happening with the funds recently raised for the homeless.
The Sacramento Regional Foundation, who sponsored the program, also has reported on its success.
An excerpt from the Sacramento Bee.
“They raised money for the homeless in a highly publicized campaign. Now people are trying to figure out how to get it.
“Those in need say they are confused about how to receive the funds raised from the "One Day to Prevent Homelessness" drive and are frustrated by the lack of information available.
“But officials in charge of the program say they are still working on ways of letting people know about how the funds are disbursed – and how to receive them. Demand for funds is also very high, they say.
"Unfortunately, we cannot help everyone who needs help," said Cindy Cavanaugh, assistant director of policy and planning for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. She said applicants must go through the correct process. "They should not call a provider directly."
"One Day to Prevent Homelessness" is a regionwide fundraising drive that included a telethon and faith leaders from about 80 houses of worship asking congregants to donate one day's worth of their rent or monthly mortgage.
“The appeals worked. Last week, organizers announced they had passed its goal in two months by raising $410,479.
“The goal of the campaign was to reach $400,000 to qualify for $1.6 million in federal funds. Faith-based groups raised $141,914. Individual and corporate donors raised the rest.
“Since then, homeless and homeless advocates say they have been calling the three agencies listed as responsible for disbursing the funds but have had little luck.”
The Sacramento Regional Foundation, who sponsored the program, also has reported on its success.
An excerpt from the Sacramento Bee.
“They raised money for the homeless in a highly publicized campaign. Now people are trying to figure out how to get it.
“Those in need say they are confused about how to receive the funds raised from the "One Day to Prevent Homelessness" drive and are frustrated by the lack of information available.
“But officials in charge of the program say they are still working on ways of letting people know about how the funds are disbursed – and how to receive them. Demand for funds is also very high, they say.
"Unfortunately, we cannot help everyone who needs help," said Cindy Cavanaugh, assistant director of policy and planning for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency. She said applicants must go through the correct process. "They should not call a provider directly."
"One Day to Prevent Homelessness" is a regionwide fundraising drive that included a telethon and faith leaders from about 80 houses of worship asking congregants to donate one day's worth of their rent or monthly mortgage.
“The appeals worked. Last week, organizers announced they had passed its goal in two months by raising $410,479.
“The goal of the campaign was to reach $400,000 to qualify for $1.6 million in federal funds. Faith-based groups raised $141,914. Individual and corporate donors raised the rest.
“Since then, homeless and homeless advocates say they have been calling the three agencies listed as responsible for disbursing the funds but have had little luck.”
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Politics & Philanthropy II
In a follow-up to yesterday’s post, this editorial from the Chronicle of Philanthropy questions the government’s role in the Social Innovation Fund.
An excerpt.
“Last week’s announcement that five large foundations plan to add a total of $45-million to the federal government’s Social Innovation Fund has stirred much excitement in nonprofit circles.
“So did the news that a coalition of 20 other foundations had pledged to spend nearly an additional $5-million to heighten the impact of the fund and share the lessons learned among nonprofit groups.
“Why such a fuss about a relatively small amount of philanthropic money? It must be that many in the nonprofit world were pleased to see a gesture that solidifies the partnership between the federal government and foundations. But the Obama administration could do much more to help the nonprofit world in these tough financial times than soliciting the nearly $50-million in matching money.
“The Social Innovation Fund is now in the process of selecting 7 to 10 foundations that will award money to nonprofit groups with solid track records and can serve as models to spread good ideas. The foundations as well as the nonprofit groups they support are expected to come up with their own matching funds. Those requirements mean that the government's $50-million is supposed to be matched with a total of $150-million from private sources.
“The program is at the heart of the Obama administration’s efforts to encourage nonprofit innovation and strengthen high-performance organizations. It also appears to be an attempt to attract more foundation money for nonprofit activities.
“One can question, however, the seriousness with which the administration is pursuing these goals. The $50-million the federal government has provided to the Social Innovation Fund, after all, is a drop in the bucket, even though it just attracted nearly $50-million last week.”
An excerpt.
“Last week’s announcement that five large foundations plan to add a total of $45-million to the federal government’s Social Innovation Fund has stirred much excitement in nonprofit circles.
“So did the news that a coalition of 20 other foundations had pledged to spend nearly an additional $5-million to heighten the impact of the fund and share the lessons learned among nonprofit groups.
“Why such a fuss about a relatively small amount of philanthropic money? It must be that many in the nonprofit world were pleased to see a gesture that solidifies the partnership between the federal government and foundations. But the Obama administration could do much more to help the nonprofit world in these tough financial times than soliciting the nearly $50-million in matching money.
“The Social Innovation Fund is now in the process of selecting 7 to 10 foundations that will award money to nonprofit groups with solid track records and can serve as models to spread good ideas. The foundations as well as the nonprofit groups they support are expected to come up with their own matching funds. Those requirements mean that the government's $50-million is supposed to be matched with a total of $150-million from private sources.
“The program is at the heart of the Obama administration’s efforts to encourage nonprofit innovation and strengthen high-performance organizations. It also appears to be an attempt to attract more foundation money for nonprofit activities.
“One can question, however, the seriousness with which the administration is pursuing these goals. The $50-million the federal government has provided to the Social Innovation Fund, after all, is a drop in the bucket, even though it just attracted nearly $50-million last week.”
Friday, June 4, 2010
Politics and Philanthropy
They go together, and a different administration creates a different direction, as this article from the Nonprofit Quarterly notes.
An excerpt.
“Every administration has its own distinctive policy fix on the nonprofit sector. With the Bush Administration, it was faith-based organizations. With the Obama Administration, the nonprofit credo centers on nonprofit social entrepreneurs.
“Last Thursday’s news event was an announcement by First Lady Michelle Obama and the Corporation for National and Community Service CEO, Patrick Corvington, of $50 million in grants from a number of foundations to or for the Social Innovation Fund—above and beyond philanthropic commitments to specific Social Innovation Fund grantees and subgrantees. That’s $50 million from foundations on top of the $50 million appropriated to the Fund, the latter in line for matching fund commitments of perhaps three or four to one.
“On one hand, it is a big number compared to the philanthropic capital flows that most nonprofits ever have the opportunity to experience in their organizational lifetimes. On the other hand, for a national program whose mission language is to support “solutions to social problems,” $250 to $300 million, to be spent over a period of a couple of years, isn’t much in the grand scheme of federal budget commitments. The “news” is more than money, as the director of the Social Innovation Fund, Paul Carttar, takes pains to point out.
“From this vantage point, there is an alternative narrative discernable in statements by the First Lady and CNCS CEO Patrick Corvington, the latter writing in Government Monitor. The Obama Administration is committed to leveraging the capital and the intelligence of a distinctive swath of foundations dedicated to identifying and promoting social entrepreneurs to bring resources, flexibility, and considerable credibility to the fledgling Social Innovation Fund.
“Philanthropic support from social entrepreneurs: Five foundations have committed $45 million to be spent mostly over two years as a resource pool supplementing what the Social Innovation Fund managers have at their disposal. They might use these funds to supplement or add to the moneys in the projects they pick for SIF grants, they might use them for special SIF initiatives, or more. Carttar is clear that these five are not just foundations, they are the philanthropic arms of recognized social entrepreneurs.
“A Social Innovation Fund fact sheet identifies the five funders as the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation ($10 million over two years), John and Ann Doerr's Family Foundation ($5 million over two years), the Omidyar Network ($10 million over two years), the Open Society Foundations’ Special Fund for Poverty Alleviation ($10 million for one year), and the Skoll Foundation ($10 million over two years). Who are the entrepreneurs behind them and what makes them social entrepreneurs?”
An excerpt.
“Every administration has its own distinctive policy fix on the nonprofit sector. With the Bush Administration, it was faith-based organizations. With the Obama Administration, the nonprofit credo centers on nonprofit social entrepreneurs.
“Last Thursday’s news event was an announcement by First Lady Michelle Obama and the Corporation for National and Community Service CEO, Patrick Corvington, of $50 million in grants from a number of foundations to or for the Social Innovation Fund—above and beyond philanthropic commitments to specific Social Innovation Fund grantees and subgrantees. That’s $50 million from foundations on top of the $50 million appropriated to the Fund, the latter in line for matching fund commitments of perhaps three or four to one.
“On one hand, it is a big number compared to the philanthropic capital flows that most nonprofits ever have the opportunity to experience in their organizational lifetimes. On the other hand, for a national program whose mission language is to support “solutions to social problems,” $250 to $300 million, to be spent over a period of a couple of years, isn’t much in the grand scheme of federal budget commitments. The “news” is more than money, as the director of the Social Innovation Fund, Paul Carttar, takes pains to point out.
“From this vantage point, there is an alternative narrative discernable in statements by the First Lady and CNCS CEO Patrick Corvington, the latter writing in Government Monitor. The Obama Administration is committed to leveraging the capital and the intelligence of a distinctive swath of foundations dedicated to identifying and promoting social entrepreneurs to bring resources, flexibility, and considerable credibility to the fledgling Social Innovation Fund.
“Philanthropic support from social entrepreneurs: Five foundations have committed $45 million to be spent mostly over two years as a resource pool supplementing what the Social Innovation Fund managers have at their disposal. They might use these funds to supplement or add to the moneys in the projects they pick for SIF grants, they might use them for special SIF initiatives, or more. Carttar is clear that these five are not just foundations, they are the philanthropic arms of recognized social entrepreneurs.
“A Social Innovation Fund fact sheet identifies the five funders as the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation ($10 million over two years), John and Ann Doerr's Family Foundation ($5 million over two years), the Omidyar Network ($10 million over two years), the Open Society Foundations’ Special Fund for Poverty Alleviation ($10 million for one year), and the Skoll Foundation ($10 million over two years). Who are the entrepreneurs behind them and what makes them social entrepreneurs?”
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Fundraising Tools Training
This will be an excellent event, put on by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, California Capital Chapter, (registration at the jump) and well worth your time and expense.
Information
The Complete Fundraising Tool Kit - Round Table Discussions Led by Expert Panel Hosts
The Complete Fundraising Tool Kit: Round Table Discussions Led by Expert Panel Hosts -- Everything from Major Gifts to Marketing
Join area experts for a unique luncheon. You'll select your topic of interest and sit with an area expert over lunch. We'll switch mid-way through the event to allow you to delve into two topics that are most important to your fundraising plan, or you can stay with your current topic.
Speakers and Topics include:
Major Gifts - Cheryl Cobbs, CFRE, UC Davis
Marketing - Scot Crocker, Crocker Marketing
Grants (Foundations, Government, & Corp) - Miriam Houghton, EXPRESSIONS
Capital Campaigns - William Schopfer, Fund Development Associates
Special Events - Emily Delk, Emily Delk Events
Annual Gifts - Tom Venturino, CFRE, UC Davis
Planned Giving - Steve de Graaf, ChFC
This small forum format will allow you to ask questions and participate in an in-depth dialogue, so come prepared with questions in hand.
Attendees can either stay at one round table for the duration or switch to a second table half way through the program.
11:30 a.m. - Registration opens
11:45 to 12:15 p.m. - Lunch
12:15 - 12:30 p.m. - Announcements/Introductions
12:30 - 12:50 p.m. - Round Table Session #1
12:50 - 1:15 p.m. - Round Table Session #2 (optional if want to change)
1:15 - 1:30 p.m. - Take-Away Messages and Best Ideas Shared
Special AFP Anniversary Pricing - $25 for all registrants, includes lunch buffet
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Sierra Health Foundation
1321 Garden Highway
Sacramento, California 95833
Information
The Complete Fundraising Tool Kit - Round Table Discussions Led by Expert Panel Hosts
The Complete Fundraising Tool Kit: Round Table Discussions Led by Expert Panel Hosts -- Everything from Major Gifts to Marketing
Join area experts for a unique luncheon. You'll select your topic of interest and sit with an area expert over lunch. We'll switch mid-way through the event to allow you to delve into two topics that are most important to your fundraising plan, or you can stay with your current topic.
Speakers and Topics include:
Major Gifts - Cheryl Cobbs, CFRE, UC Davis
Marketing - Scot Crocker, Crocker Marketing
Grants (Foundations, Government, & Corp) - Miriam Houghton, EXPRESSIONS
Capital Campaigns - William Schopfer, Fund Development Associates
Special Events - Emily Delk, Emily Delk Events
Annual Gifts - Tom Venturino, CFRE, UC Davis
Planned Giving - Steve de Graaf, ChFC
This small forum format will allow you to ask questions and participate in an in-depth dialogue, so come prepared with questions in hand.
Attendees can either stay at one round table for the duration or switch to a second table half way through the program.
11:30 a.m. - Registration opens
11:45 to 12:15 p.m. - Lunch
12:15 - 12:30 p.m. - Announcements/Introductions
12:30 - 12:50 p.m. - Round Table Session #1
12:50 - 1:15 p.m. - Round Table Session #2 (optional if want to change)
1:15 - 1:30 p.m. - Take-Away Messages and Best Ideas Shared
Special AFP Anniversary Pricing - $25 for all registrants, includes lunch buffet
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Sierra Health Foundation
1321 Garden Highway
Sacramento, California 95833
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Philanthropy Down in 2009
Though it is expected to increase in 2010, the almost 5% drop last year is significant, but not nearly as bad as it could have been, given the horrible economy.
A news release from the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College notes the drop.
An excerpt.
"May, 2010 - Individual charitable giving in 2009 amounted to $217.3 billion, a decline of $11.2 billion or 4.9 percent from the estimated $228.5 billion total in 2008, according to the latest report by researchers at the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College and published by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. This 5% decline is in addition to the 6 percent decline that the Center calculated in 2008.
"For 2010, the researchers project annualized individual giving totals (also known as household giving) will range between approximately $222 billion and $227 billion, an increase between 3 and 4.5 percent over the estimated total for 2009. The projected growth is based on analysis of the first two quarters according to scenarios that assume relatively low and high economic growth.
"The full report, will be published in the July/August 2010 issue of Advancing Philanthropy, the magazine of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The report's findings are based on estimates produced quarterly by the Individual Giving Model developed and housed at the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy. It is the nation's first model designed to estimate future and real-time charitable giving by households on a quarterly basis."
A news release from the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College notes the drop.
An excerpt.
"May, 2010 - Individual charitable giving in 2009 amounted to $217.3 billion, a decline of $11.2 billion or 4.9 percent from the estimated $228.5 billion total in 2008, according to the latest report by researchers at the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College and published by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. This 5% decline is in addition to the 6 percent decline that the Center calculated in 2008.
"For 2010, the researchers project annualized individual giving totals (also known as household giving) will range between approximately $222 billion and $227 billion, an increase between 3 and 4.5 percent over the estimated total for 2009. The projected growth is based on analysis of the first two quarters according to scenarios that assume relatively low and high economic growth.
"The full report, will be published in the July/August 2010 issue of Advancing Philanthropy, the magazine of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. The report's findings are based on estimates produced quarterly by the Individual Giving Model developed and housed at the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy. It is the nation's first model designed to estimate future and real-time charitable giving by households on a quarterly basis."
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Nonprofits & Community Colleges
For nonprofit organizations providing services to people to help them improve their lives, the California Community College system is a valuable asset, providing educational and vocational resources at a very reasonable cost.
Consequently, this new infusion of funds, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, is very good news.
An excerpt.
“President Obama's Bay Area visit last week highlighted his support for the green-tech industry, but for out-of-work Californians, the more important initiative may be the administration's little-noticed plan to give community colleges $2 billion in retraining funds over the next four years.
"This is the largest federal investment in the community colleges since the GI Bill," said Undersecretary of Education Martha Kanter, who had been chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District before being elevated to the department's No. 2 post.
“The funding plan, which became law in March, was championed by Bay Area lawmakers and local administration appointees who shared the Silicon Valley view that two-year colleges don't just assist young people in parlaying their high school diplomas into higher degrees, but also help workers make the leap from career to career in a fast-changing world.
"This is especially true in a place like Silicon Valley, where we are constantly creating new industries and obsoleting old ones, forcing people to transition every few years," said Russell Hancock, chief executive of Joint Venture Silicon Valley, a business-backed public policy group that believes community colleges are essential to providing skilled technical workers.
“Money at right time
“At a time when California's budget crisis has forced an 8 percent cut in funding for the state's 112 community colleges, the Obama plan, whose backers included Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, offers a symbolic and practical boost for the vocational and technical career courses that make up about 40 percent of two-year college offerings.
"We didn't get all the money we wanted, but now it's up to us to do the best we can with federal, state and private-sector funds combined," said Terri Carbaugh, spokeswoman for the California Community College Chancellor's Office in Sacramento.”
Consequently, this new infusion of funds, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, is very good news.
An excerpt.
“President Obama's Bay Area visit last week highlighted his support for the green-tech industry, but for out-of-work Californians, the more important initiative may be the administration's little-noticed plan to give community colleges $2 billion in retraining funds over the next four years.
"This is the largest federal investment in the community colleges since the GI Bill," said Undersecretary of Education Martha Kanter, who had been chancellor of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District before being elevated to the department's No. 2 post.
“The funding plan, which became law in March, was championed by Bay Area lawmakers and local administration appointees who shared the Silicon Valley view that two-year colleges don't just assist young people in parlaying their high school diplomas into higher degrees, but also help workers make the leap from career to career in a fast-changing world.
"This is especially true in a place like Silicon Valley, where we are constantly creating new industries and obsoleting old ones, forcing people to transition every few years," said Russell Hancock, chief executive of Joint Venture Silicon Valley, a business-backed public policy group that believes community colleges are essential to providing skilled technical workers.
“Money at right time
“At a time when California's budget crisis has forced an 8 percent cut in funding for the state's 112 community colleges, the Obama plan, whose backers included Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez, offers a symbolic and practical boost for the vocational and technical career courses that make up about 40 percent of two-year college offerings.
"We didn't get all the money we wanted, but now it's up to us to do the best we can with federal, state and private-sector funds combined," said Terri Carbaugh, spokeswoman for the California Community College Chancellor's Office in Sacramento.”
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