TCC Group's Senior Vice President  and Director of Research Peter York and Consultant PeiYao Chen highlight the value of an R&D approach to data collection for funders and nonprofits in this webinar. We believe that this method empowers the sector to bring new perspectives, data, strategies, and learning to the table.  If you missed the recent webinar, you can download a recording of it along with the presentation slides on our website. 

On April 10 at the Council on Foundations' annual conference, join TCC Group Associate Director of Philanthropy Chris Cardona for a  panel discussion that will help funders think critically about their own use of strategy: how to develop it, and how they find the delicate balance between responsive and prescriptive philanthropy.  Panelists include: 

• Denise McGregor Armbrister, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
• Fatima Angeles, Director of Evaluation and Learning, The California Wellness Foundation
• Jacob Harold, Program Officer, Philanthropy Program, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation    

We hope to see you at the conference.  Visit TCC at booth 213. 

In his recent blog on The Wealth Manager, TCC Group President and CEO Richard Mittenthal discusses how donors can help ensure nonprofits' survival in today's economic climate.  He highlights four behaviors that funders should look for in potential grantees -- important steps toward sustainability: evaluating programs, cutting costs, planning, and building strong funder relationships.

The nonprofit world has suffered greatly from the "Great Recession." Most nonprofits have struggled, and some have closed their door as funding has decreased from just about every source-individuals, foundations, corporations and the government-as well as from "earned revenue," e.g. ticket sales, fees, etcFor example, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported in February that the median gift amount from the 50 most generous individual donors fell 47% from 2007 to 2010, (see ".")Total contributions last year from those individuals were the lowest since the publication began keeping track in 2000.At the same time, the picture on the government front is bleak. Many states are slashing funding, and service agencies and arts organizations are prime targets. At the federal level, discussions have moved from whether to eliminate funding for popular programs to a debate about how many billions to cut.On the positive side, with the stock market rallying, fears of a double-dip recession ebbing and uncertainty about some estate tax rules resolved, individual giving could rise in 2011. Wealth managers have a unique responsibility to guide their clients to assure their donations have an impact.Ensuring Nonprofits' SurvivalHowever, formidable challenges remain.  As donors consider supporting nonprofits, they should make sure that these organizations take steps to survive in the current economic climate-and to prepare for inevitable future downturns1) Evaluate, evaluate, evaluate. Determine what's working in one program or operational area and apply it to others. We have found that sustainable organizations act quickly and decisively on the basis of findings from program evaluations. No matter how cherished a program might be, if it's not producing measurable results, it may have to be reassessed, retooled or jettisoned altogether.

TCC Group worked with Aaron Dorfman, Executive Director of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), to assist in the devel­opment of a five-year strategic plan for the organization. At the time, NCRP was "an organization in transition - and that's a dangerous place to be for a nonprofit," says Dorfman. "We needed to clarify our vision and plans quickly so we could rebuild the staff and donors and get back to the important work of achieving our mission."  >>Read more.