Important Call to Action

COF Call to Action: Support Full Funding of the Nonprofit Capacity Building ProgramPresident 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.

Independent Sector NGEN Fellowship

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!

Funding the Most Marginalized of Males, Black and Brown Gays

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.

Be like Mike

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.

So You Wanna Be Program Officer?

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 may 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 other advice would you give to someone applying for a program officer position?