Philanthropy Front and Center - Washington, DC

How Are Arts Organizations in DC Doing?

 Listen to Philanthropy Chat, the Center's podcast series, now available on iTunes. In a recent podcast, Jennifer Cover Payne from the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington explains how the economic recession has affected the arts in the Washington, DC area.

From the Answer Desk: Can Churches Get Foundation Grants?

A: By and large, foundations support the programs and services of tax-exempt, 501c3 organizations. Churches and other faith-based organizations typically qualify under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, making them eligible to receive contributions from foundations. An IRS publication with good information about the tax status of churches is called Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations [PDF].  

While foundations vary widely in their funding priorities, faith-based organizations can locate foundations interested in their community and other programs by using Foundation Directory Online, a database of some 95,000 grantmakers. All Foundation Center locations provide free access to Foundation Directory Online, or you can activate your own subscription at our web site.

This post is from Katie Artzner, the Foundation Center's Online Librarian.

Next Week at the Foundation Center (March 2-6)

Courses:
Foundation Fundraising: An Introductory Course
Tuesday, March 3, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
cost: $125 per person; Save $25 for each additional registration

Proposal Writing Seminar
Thursday, March 5, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
cost: $195 per person; Save $25 for each additional registration

Proposal Budgeting Workshop
Friday, March 6, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
cost: $195 per person; Save $25 for each additional registration

Class:
Prospect Research Basics:
Researching Individuals Donors
Wednesday, March 4, 10:00-11:15 am

This class is free to attend, but registration is required. For programs offered over the next three months, please see our Events Calendar.

Library:
Use Foundation Directory Online Professional, borrow books, and get reference help free of charge with no appointment necessary. See our website for directions.

Hours:
Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
10:00 am-5:00 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am-8:00 pm

Words of Wisdom for Tough Economic Times

This post is from Asia M. Hadley, Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta.

As a board member of the Atlanta Nonprofit Professionals (ANP), I have the privilege of hearing leaders in the nonprofit sector talk about issues in the field. Luckily, you don’t have to be a board member to take advantage of the professional development opportunities presented by ANP. You can sign-up for these free presentations and network at the same time.

Nan Thomas, director of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta African American Partnership (AAP) was the guest speaker at our most recent event. She spoke candidly about the tough economic times that we are in and how we can navigate this rocky terrain. She offered the following advice to nonprofits, particularly to those with the responsibility of fundraising:

Respect the time: We have to face the realities of the present economy. This is not a time to have your head in the sand. Therefore, acknowledge what is happening and assess the current and future impact that job losses and cut backs will have on your organization. You can not manage what you don’t acknowledge.

Prepare mentally: Fundraising professionals must get mentally tough. Institute or reinstitute any religious or spiritual practices that you may have practiced. This can enhance your ability to cope with higher rates of rejections you may receive and help you deal with instability you may face due to economic conditions.

Assess your plan: All fundraising plans need to be assessed throughout the year to make sure you are on target. By re-evaluating your plan, you will be able to see where you may need to cut back, or increase your efforts to cover expenses in your organization.

Change your plan: Don’t be afraid to change your original plan. If you discover that your plan will not get you where you need to go, change your plan, not your goals. Get creative about fundraising and continue to ask, ask, ask!

Deploy more foot soldiers: Continue to recognize your donors and keep them abreast of the difference their contributions are making to those you serve. Create small feel-good gatherings to reward their work, which also allows them to invite others who may share a passion for your mission. Help them to get the word out about your organization, which includes promoting the need for in-kind gifts.

When raising money in tough economic times, you have to return to the basics of what you do. If you stay true to your mission, formulate and execute creative fundraising strategies, and cultivate your volunteers and donors, your organization will weather this economic storm.

To learn about creating a fundraising plan and diversifying your revenue, take the Foundation Center’s Introduction to Fundraising Planning class live, via webinar or on demand.

Recognizing Corporate Philanthropy

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) has designated February 23, 2009 as International Corporate Philanthropy Day.

CECP envisions this as a day for the business community to celebrate its achievements in corporate philanthropy, build awareness of the benefits of corporate community investment, and inspire companies around the world to engage further in giving initiatives. This day of celebration also provides a media platform for companies to broadcast their message about the importance of corporate community partnerships and ongoing dedication to social investment. To learn more, you can review CECP's fact sheet about this special day.

At the Board of Boards CEO Conference hosted today by The McGraw-Hill Companies in New York, CECP will convene global CEOs and chairpersons from many of the world’s largest companies to participate in a conversation regarding corporate philanthropy and the economy. The timely theme for the 2009 program is “Global Leaders: Confronting a Crucial Decision,” and it will be moderated by NBC's Tom Brokaw. The United Nations also will host a special event to discuss philanthropy and the Global Public Health Agenda.

The Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers is observing International Corporate Philanthropy Day by posting information from its corporate members on how the economy is affecting giving and how they are responding to the downturn.

Apocalypse Now for Nonprofits?

Light, Ni, Schambra, Salamon, and Frumkin

Not exactly! On February 20, 2009, The Hudson Institute’s Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal and The Nonprofit Quarterly presented a content-rich and lively panel discussion about a recent article by Paul Light titled “Four Futures”, which appeared in the Winter 2008 issue of The Nonprofit Quarterly. The session was moderated by the Bradley Center’s William Schambra, and panelists included:

• Paul Light, New York University
• Perla Ni, Great Nonprofits
• Peter Frumkin, University of Texas Austin
• Lester Salamon, Johns Hopkins University

Rick Cohen from The Nonprofit Quarterly welcomed the group and offered some observations on the stimulus package and what it might do for nonprofits. He posited that the real question about the stimulus package should be not what effect it would have on nonprofits but what impact it would have on the communities they serve.

Paul Light outlined four possible scenarios for nonprofits: the rescue fantasy, a withering winter land, an arbitrary winnowing, and transformation. Each of the panelists then reacted to the scenarios.  Ni felt that smaller nonprofits would survive the crisis because they could be more flexible and had compelling stories. Salamon commented that in the proposed scenarios, nonprofits were acted upon, and he felt that there is resilience in the sector that will enable it to save itself.  Frumkin shared his concerns about the four funding streams for nonprofits:  earned income, individual giving, government funding, and foundations and corporations.  He then shared his theory that nonprofits that have been using the “rhetoric of reason and rationale” may begin using the “rhetoric of emotion” to maintain and attract donors. This issue sparked a lively discussion about how to measure a nonprofit’s value. Do we give with our heads, our hearts, or both? In the end, the panelists believed that nonprofits would adapt and survive.

What do you think?

An audio and video recording of this event will be posted at the Bradley Center's web site  shortly after the event. A transcript of the discussion will be posted approximately one week after the event.

Meyer Foundation Issues Open Letter to the Community

The Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation issued an open letter to the community on February 19, 2009, to explain their operating strategy in the months to come. They and many other foundations locally and nationally have been proactive in alerting their past and potential grantees to changes in funding priorities, deadlines, and procedures. They are helping grantees make more informed decisions about their fundraising plans. It is a helpful and appreciated gesture.

To stay current on all the latest foundation giving alerts, check Philanthropy News Digest daily, and be sure to see our newest trend tracker, Foundation Giving Forecast, which was featured in our blog on February 17.

Next Week at the Foundation Center (February 23-27)

Grantseeker Training Institute
February 23-27, 9:00 am-4:00 pm daily
cost: $795 per person

Library:
Use Foundation Directory Online Professional, borrow books, and get reference help free of charge with no appointment necessary. See our website for directions.

Hours:
Monday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
10:00 am-5:00 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am-8:00 pm

How Much Stays Local?

Over the years, many in the Washington metropolitan area have wondered, how much of the giving by the region’s philanthropic organizations benefited local programs and services as opposed to charities elsewhere? Do the area's larger funders give only nationally and internationally? Do smaller foundations only give locally? 

The recently released report, Giving by Foundations in the National Capital Region: How Much Stays Local, tackles this complex question. It is a groundbreaking report. The Foundation Center has never before examined locally focused giving within a specific metropolitan area. As the analysis is of 2006 data, it does not reflect the effects of the economic downturn on giving patterns. However, it is a milestone measure of where funding went and will be helpful as both funders and nonprofits forge new relationships.

The Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation supported the production of this publication, which can be downloaded at no cost from the Foundation Center's web site.

Free Shipping on Decision-Making Book Set

This February, the Foundation Center is offering free shipping on two best-selling books by Dr. Dennis R. Young that are designed to help nonprofit managers take a more strategic approach to achieve sustainability in challenging times:

*  In Effective Economic Decision-Making by Nonprofit Organizations, practical guidelines show nonprofits how to advance their mission while balancing the interests of funders, trustees, and staff. Price: $34.95 - Buy now

*  In Wise Decision-Making in Uncertain Times: Using Nonprofit Resources Effectively, Dr. Young helps managers understand how to cope with funding cutbacks when the demand for services has increased. Price: $34.95 - Buy now

Order both books together and save $10! Your price for the set is $59.90 and includes free shipping for this month.

As demand for services rises and charitable contributions are diminished, nonprofit managers must make crucial decisions in order to keep their organizations fiscally sound. Learn how to steer your nonprofit through tough economic times by ordering these management guides today.