How Much Does It Cost to Change a Life?
As we move into this season of giving, a short film by SoftShell Productions of Peaks Island reminds us that sometimes it's not the size of the gift that matters most. On October 5th, strangers in Portland were asked how they could change a life for under $10. This is their story.
Foundation Giving Likely to Increase in 2011, Says Foundation Center Survey
Giving by U.S. foundations is poised for modest overall growth in 2011, after remaining flat in 2010. But it may take several years for giving to match the peak level recorded in 2008, according to estimates reported by the Foundation Center in Moving Beyond the Economic Crisis: Foundations Assess the Impact and Their Response. "The foundation community is adapting in our dramatically changed environment," said Steven Lawrence, director of research at the Foundation Center and author of the advisory. "Even though the 2010 economy has been anything but predictable, foundations are working with greater efficiency, holding their giving steady, and a number are planning for growth." |
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 What's New
National Award for Imagination Intensive Communities Project
Maine's Imagination Intensive Communities project was one of 9 projects in the country to receive a Best Practice award from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills at a national summit in Washington, D.C. The innovative Maine project was developed by the Maine Alliance for Arts Education in partnership with the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Arts Commission to identify, recognize, research and share information about communities where schools and community organizations work effectively together to provide imaginative learning opportunities for students. During the pilot year, six communities were identified as Imagination Intensive Communities: Arundel, Blue Hill, Camden-Rockport, Deer Isle-Stonington, North Haven and York. Three semi-finalist communities are Brunswick, Denmark, and Portland's Reiche School. Funding for the project came from the Kennedy Center, the Betterment Fund, the Maine Department of Education, and the Maine Arts Commission.
Bingham Program Chosen to Participate in National Initiative
The Bingham Program has been chosen as one of nine foundations nationwide to receive funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Partners Investing in Nursing's Future (PIN). The national initiative is designed to help find innovative ways to create an adequate nursing workforce to meet the changing demands of the 21st century patient population. The 2-year grant of $200,000 will tackle nursing education in Maine including preparing new nursing graduates with the competencies needed to begin practice in today's complex healthcare environment.
News from Maine Network Partners
Every month Maine Network Partners is featuring a Maine network that is doing exciting work in the state. Check out their website now to read about the Eat Local Foods Coalition. Other networks profiled on the site include: the Nonprofit Sector Viability Program, Environmental Funders Network, Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, and Franklin County Community College Network. Check back for new profiles each month.
One of those featured networks, the Nonprofit Sector Viability Collaboration, recently issued an update on their Nonprofit Viability Program for 2010. The Viability Program is designed to provide senior leaders from nonprofit organizations with a structured and supportive environment in which to think deeply about the on-going viability of their missions, programs and finances. Through the process, organizations gain clarity about goals by developing a concrete plan for coping with immediate organizational and financial challenges, and a longer-term strategy for adapting in the face of change. To date 61 nonprofit organizations have participated in the program.
Reframing the Conversation on Innovation and Scale
In her year-end statement, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) President and CEO Kathleen P. Enright discusses the skepticism surrounding innovation and scale and offers her take on four new observations to reframe the conversation. |
News You Can Use
Improving Child Health: Blueprint for Healthier School Meals
The Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation recently released its report, Dishing Out Healthy School Meals, to an audience of school administrators, food service personnel, community leaders, healthcare practitioners, legislators and anyone with an interest in improving child health.
The Foundation commissioned researchers from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University to examine how three diverse school districts, located in ME, MA and NH, successfully made improvements in school meals despite regulatory and financial challenges. More importantly, all three subject schools were able to successfully manage the food service "trilemma": simultaneously balancing cost, nutrition, and student participation. The Foundation hopes the report will provide other school districts with a blueprint for how to implement changes in their own school lunch programs.
Conveying the Value of Foundations
We're all familiar with that staple of foundation communications--the grant story. Foundation X gives grant of amount Y to organization Z. Are there better ways to convey the value of foundations? Two new PAI Digests say yes. Moving Beyond the Money analyzes how one foundation promoted better media coverage and understanding of philanthropy through outreach to the editorial board of its state's leading newspaper. Put Your Mouth Where Your Money Is provides a candid and practical take on how foundations can talk about the value they bring society--in ways that speak to more than the money they grant.
Due Diligence Done Well
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) has released its new guide and online tool, Due Diligence Done Well: A Guide for Grantmakers, with LaPiana Consulting. The publication is based off of the popular guide from 2004, with updated information on how to design an efficient, streamlined due diligence process. It encourages grantmakers to strike a balance that obtains enough information about a potential grantee to make an informed decision without creating an added burden that takes time and attention from programs and services. |
MPC Member News
Two MPC members were highlighted in the MaineBiz 2010 Next List. Betsy Biemann of the Maine Technology Institute and Yellow Light Breen of Bangor Savings Bank were identified as being among the 10 movers and shakers who are influencing Maine's economy in a significant way.
 Jay Espy of the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, and former head of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, was this year's recipient of the Land Trust Alliance's prestigious Kingsbury Browne Conservation Leadership Award. Espy was recognized for the way he has pioneered a collaborative approach to land conservation, set the trend for other land trusts, made an impact across the land conservation movement, and served as a mentor. Espy is the fifth recipient of this honor awarded by the Land Trust Alliance to recognize outstanding leadership, innovation and creativity in land conservation.
The Maine Women's Fund is hosting their Women's Leadership Series: Bucking the Assimilation Trend at several locations in December. For women leaders, this series will explore what it means to buck the trend to assimilate by surfacing and showcasing their authentic selves. Join them to discuss the structures and systems that support authenticity, and examine how to encourage one another by shining the spotlight on our differences to produce long-lasting change. |
Comings & Goings
New Status for Welch FoundationThe Vincent B. and Barbara G. Welch Foundation has ceased operation as an Independent Foundation and has affiliated with MaineCF. The new affiliation will allow the foundation to take advantage of MaineCF's investment, grant review, and grantmaking expertise, while allowing it to continue its support of organizations in the Greater Portland area. The mission and interests of the Foundation remain the same, as does its grantmaking process. Questions and inquiries may be directed to Pamela Cleghorn at MaineCF (877) 700-6800 x2205. |
Maine Grants In the News
Feed Your Radio; Feed a Family Thanks to a partnership between Maine Public Broadcasting Network and the Maine Community Foundation, more than 250,000 Mainers will be fed through the Good Shepherd Food Bank. For every donation made to MPBN during its October radio membership drive, the Maine Community Foundation donated enough money to feed a family of three for about a week. MaineCF donors contributed $50,000 to the Good Shepherd Food Bank. Read More...
More eBooks Available at Maine Libraries The Maine InfoNet Download Library has expanded to include a downloadable eBook collection, thanks to a grant from the Davis Family Foundation. Nearly 1,400 books, spanning best-selling Fiction, Non-Fiction, Young Adults, and Children's content are now available as downloadable eBooks. The eBooks can be checked out and downloaded by patrons of participating libraries across Maine.
Helping Maine Students Become Philanthropists
Jumpstart Our Youth (JOY) is Maine's most comprehensive youth philanthropy program. Initiated by the Unity Foundation, in collaboration with Jobs For Maine's Graduates, the Maine Community Foundation and UniTel Inc., the program advances youth philanthropy around the state with the intent to build and strengthen communities. In its second year, 3,500 students in more than 60 locations participated, providing $61,000 to support 70+ nonprofit organizations throughout Maine. JOY recently kicked off its third year of the program to coincide with National Philanthropy Day and with the release of a report on last year's success. |
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PROGRAMS
GRANTMAKERS |
DEC. 6, 9:00-3:00 pm
Quality of Place Dialogue
Join the Maine State Planning Office fpr a day-long dialogue about how Maine's Quality of Place can be leveraged to create jobs. ($15)
DEC. 9, 12:00-1:00 pm
The Value of Family in Philanthropy
Family Philanthropy Teleconference
No fee for this event for MPC Members
Learn More...
DEC. 16, 2:00-3:00 pm
How Will the New Political Landscape Impact Poor Families? This post election briefing will look at how the results of key races and likely scenarios will play out on the federal and state levels, with special emphasis on implications for grantmakers active in the field.
JAN. 13, 12:00-1:00
Aging America and Why it Matters to Your Mission
Family Philanthropy Teleconference
No fee for this event for MPC Members
GRANTSEEKERS
DEC. 9, 9am - 3 pmGrantwriting 101
Belfast
$160 ($80 Members)
FEB. 9, 2:00-5:00pm
Framing Foundation Research Strategies
for Successful Outcomes Portland
$90 ($45 Members)
DEC-JAN-FEB Grantseeker Research Tutorials & Research Sessions
Portland (Free!)Learn More...
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BOOKSHELF | |
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The Power to Produce Wonders: The Value of Family in Philanthropy
Based on two years of research, this new report from the National Center for Family Philanthropy is the first ever in-depth examination of the value of family philanthropy to the family, to communities and to democracy. Download the report.
Nonprofit Sector Vital to Maine Economy
Nonprofits in Maine play a significant role in the state's economy, contributing roughly $8 billion or 17% of the state's gross product and providing more than 82,000 jobs, according to the Maine Association of Nonprofits' new report, "Partners in Prosperity: The Maine Nonprofit Sector Impact." Download the report.
State of Nonprofit Evaluation 2010
Nonprofits hear a lot of talk about evaluation these days-metrics and measurements, indicators and impact, efficiency and effectiveness. Everyone, from donors to board members, seems to want evaluation results. Findings in the Innovation Network's comprehensive survey of over 1,000 organizations paint a fascinating picture of how U.S. nonprofits use evaluation.
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Need Skilled Help? | |
MPC's Directory of Consultants & Professional Advisors is an online resource connecting you with MPC members providing services and products that address the needs of grantmakers, assist nonprofit organizations in their work, and help increase Maine's philanthropic resources. |
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