Desparate Times..., pt. 2

As a follow-up to my post last week, I wanted to alert folks to an upcoming webinar that I just learned about. The Taprood Foundation is hosting "When Hand-Wringing Isn't Enough: Proactive Approaches Funders Can Use When the Economy is Upside-Down". The webinar will be held on Wednesaday, Nov. 19 at 1-2:30pm EST (10-11:30am PST). And best of all, it's FREE!
Here's the description:

Join us for a web-based roundtable discussion as leaders from the philanthropic community share approaches funders can use to ensure their grantees continue to provide critical services while weathering the impact of the current economic crisis. You will hear the findings of recent research identifying the trends and issues facing nonprofits, as well as how foundations are planning to respond. Speakers include:
Patrick Corvington, Program Officer, Leadership Development, Annie E. Casey Foundation
Kathleen Enright, Executive Director, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
Jeanne Bell, Executive Director, CompassPoint
Moderated by Matt O'Grady, Vice President, the Taproot Foundation
This seminar will provide valuable and actionable insight into: the critical needs of nonprofits during the economic recession; approaches to funding that stretch the impact of each dollar; the promotion of effective and responsible nonprofit responses to the crisis. Space is limited. Register now to reserve your place at the seminar.

You can register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/837605351%20

Philanthropy Job- MN Program Associate

The Carlson Family Foundation is looking for a Program Associate to assist with foundation projects and philanthropy efforts. Responsibilities include researching and assisting in the evaluation of grant proposals, preparing written reports and updates; monitoring grant reporting and post-grant analyses, coordinating charitable activities and special Foundation projects. The Foundation is seeking a generalist with experience in working in foundations and family philanthropy.

The Carlson Family Foundation has a strong tradition of giving rooted in the philosophy of our founder, Curtis L. Carlson. Curtis and Arleen Carlson fostered a sense of community and a spirit of giving in their family, establishing a family legacy of philanthropy. Please visit http://www.clcfamilyfoundation.com to find more about the Carlson Family Foundation. Apply at www.Carlson.com

Desperate times call for creative measures

Every day we're reading and seeing news reports about our country's financial crisis and how it is affecting the average American. What we don't hear about as often is how this crisis is affecting the average non-profit. Lately I've been reading article after article about how the bank closures are affecting the local non-profits that depend on them for large contributions to the annual fundraisers. Non-profits that depend on annual support from corporations and individuals are hearing "we can't do it this year" more often than ever. Scaled back giving of course means scaled back programming, which leads to more people being left out of some very important activities provided by their local charity organization.

In times like this, creative philanthropy is necessary. When I was in Missouri my foundation had an emergency fund for unexpected situations that might lead to an organization having to close its doors. When a tornado demolished a town in southern Missouri, grants were made from the emergency fund to rebuild the health department. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, we established a fund to assist organizations experiencing an influx of victims transported out of Louisiana.

I just read an article about the Silicon Valley Community Foundation establishing the "Strengthen the Safety Net" fund to assist non profits that provide food and shelter in the San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. These organizations are seeing a dramatic rise in families needing their services due to the economic crisis. As a result the foundation is using this fund to challenge individuals and corporations to donate money; the foundation will match dollar for dollar up to $1 million through the end of this year. Now that's creative philanthropy in a time of crisis.

I certainly understand that some foundations are getting hit by the crisis just like the nonprofits, but there are others whose losses may be minimal and thus can afford to pitch in a little extra. I'd be interested to hear other creative solutions that your foundations (or foundations you've read about) may be instituting to respond to these desperate times.

Blogging at the Independent Sector Conference

From November 9-11, I will be blogging from the Independent Sector Conference. Quite honestly I was going to skip their conference this year given the recent job transition but then I heard that they will be having a Next Generation track. It is really encouraging to see that an important institution like Independent Sector realizes how important it is to prepare the pipleline of leadership. It will also be great for me to meet with other foundation and nonprofit staff members from around the country. Some of my best ideas have come to me during conference sessions. They give you the opportunity to look beyong your normal way of looking at the world and envisioning something better.

If you are also attending the conference and are interested in blogging about any of the sessions or want to meet up for coffee at the conference send me an email at tristaharris (at) gmail (dot) com.

Independent Sector 2008 Annual Conference
NGen: Moving Nonprofit Leaders from Next to Now- Sponsored by Comcast
Developing the next generation of nonprofit leaders is critical to the ability of charities and foundations to improve lives around the world. The “NGen: Moving Nonprofit Leaders from Next to Now” program, which is new at the Independent Sector 2008 Annual Conference, will help expand and improve the nonprofit talent pool by developing the leadership skills and networks of emerging leaders.

Open to nonprofit professionals under the age of 40, NGen will offer its participants special sessions addressing issues they face as emerging leaders and opportunities to network with leaders of all ages. You must first register for the conference before you can register for this program.

The IS Annual Conference, “Our Hopes, Our Voice, Our Future,” takes place November 9-11 in Philadelphia.

For more information about the Annual Conference and NGen, visit: www.independentsector.org/annualconference/2008/index.html.

It's not just who you know, it's who knows you

The old school way of building your career was spending long hours at your desk hoping some big wig would notice your innate skills and abilities and move you along your career path. Gen X and Y haven't been as comfortable with that model and are finding new ways to move ahead in the sector. These generations thrive on network building. For them, Linked In is way more useful than a a static roledex built with cards from hundreds of Rotary and Chamber of Commerce events.

Another way those networks have been built and nurtured is through blogging. A useful and interesting blog is a key communications tool. You are connecting with a willing audience that has a similar viewpoint of the world you are writing about. Blogging puts your authentic voice out there for the whole world to see. That openess creates many fabulous opportunities that are tailormade for your interests and expertise. There are many great examples out there: Rosetta Thurman from Perspectives from the Pipeline has begun teaching at American University and speaks nationally about the issues covered in her blog and Sean Stannard-Stockton from Tactical Philanthropy has a column at the Financial Times. I have been able to speak about next generation issues in philanthropy at a lot of great events and my new board members are getting to know me better through the posts that I make here.

Don't be afraid to get your voice out there, great things can happen when you take that leap of faith.