June 2009        
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A monthly e-newsletter for people interested in Florida philanthropy
    
Member News
    
Safety Net Challenge Launch   Palm Beach-Area Funders Launch Safety Net Challenge to Meet Urgent Needs
On May 1, Allegany Franciscan Ministries, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Quantum Foundation and Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County issued a community-wide challenge to match their collective $1 million contribution to meet the surge in demand for food, shelter, health care and child care due to the economic crisis. Among those meeting the challenge was Bank of America Treasure Coast.
 
> Jacksonville’s Safety-Net Charities Get a Safety Net
The Community Safety Net Fund established last year by Jacksonville-area funders has exceeded its goal of raising $1.5 million in emergency assistance to support about a dozen agencies focused on the area’s struggling and homeless.
   
> Javier Soto Named New President of Dade Community Foundation
   
> Collaboration Begins at Home
   
> Knight Foundation President Testifies Before Congress on Future of Journalism
 
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Focus On: Federal Stimulus Funding in Florida
 
Recovery.org Web site   Track Where Florida’s Stimulus Dollars Are Going
The recovery.org Web site is a useful place to keep track of Recovery Act spending. The site (not to be confused with the federal government's recovery.gov site) is currently tracking 960 projects in Florida, totaling nearly $4 billion, that have received Recovery Act funds.
 
> Register Today for This June 16 FPN Webinar
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: What It Means for Florida
Florida Economic Stimulus Special Advisor Don Winstead will present a detailed overview of the Recovery Act. He'll explain the different areas that will receive stimulus funding, describe how Recovery Act Funds flow between the federal, state and local levels, and how Florida can maximize federal stimulus funding in key areas. Don't miss this timely program!
   
> New Bulletin Helps Nonprofits Apply for Stimulus Funding
A new resource from the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and Giving USA Foundation outlines Recovery Act spending that can benefit nonprofits and lists key resources to help organizations approach and access stimulus funding sources.
 
Stimulus Funding News From Across Florida:
 
> Education: In May the federal government released $1.8 billion in stimulus dollars for Florida classrooms and schools, with another $891 million likely in the fall. School districts from Seminole County to Palm Beach County announced the teaching jobs that will be saved thanks to the funding. The Orlando Sentinel reported that an additional $1 billion in stimulus dollars will be earmarked for programs for low-income students and special education.
     
> Health Care: Two Treasure Coast nonprofit community clinics are among many such clinics around the country that are able to open their doors to more people thanks to new funding from the federal stimulus program. And the Fort Myers News-Press reported that Lee Memorial Health System and other Florida health providers will receive $13.4 billion in stimulus dollars.
     
> Housing: Citrus, Hernando, Lake, and Sumter counties will receive $2 million in stimulus funds to help prevent foreclosure victims from becoming homeless, according to the Tampa Tribune.
 
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Economy Matters
     
Basic Human Needs Funding Cover    Funding Basic Human Needs in a Challenging Economy
A new guide for funders from the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers takes an in-depth look at eight areas critical to maintaining self sufficiency that suffer during an economic downturn. Although the guide is focused on the needs of Central Marylanders, much of its information can be applicable to other regions of the country.
    
> Some States Delaying Payments to Nonprofits, Survey Finds
       
> Ford Foundation Commits $50 Million to Help Cities Buy Foreclosed Homes
      
> Anonymous Giving Gains in Popularity as Recession Deepens
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Recommended Reading
     
Wit and Wisdom Cover   Wit and Wisdom: Unleashing the Philanthropic Imagination
Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy
This new book captures the thoughts, anxieties, sensibilities and sensitivities of philanthropic leaders who have worked with creativity and persistence to address issues of race, equity and poverty throughout their distinguished careers, primarily in the South. Written by Mark D. Constantine, a senior fellow at the Jessie Ball duPont Fund in Jacksonville, the book features interviews with Ambassador James Joseph, Linetta Gilbert, Tom Wacaster, Gayle Williams, Sybil Jordan Hampton, Jack Murrah, Sherry Magill, Karl Stauber and Lynn Huntley, with a closing essay by Emmett Carson. Download the book at the link above.
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Giving Trends
     
COF Giving 2009 Study   Most Foundations Expect to Reduce Grantmaking in 2009
After an estimated decline in total foundation assets of $200 billion - a nearly 30% drop since the end of 2007 - a majority of foundations (62%) said they will reduce their grantmaking in 2009, according to a recent survey by the Council on Foundations.  However, 92% of foundations also said that they are or will make grants this year to assist people adversely affected by the recession.
     
Community Foundation Giving Study   Community Foundation Giving Increased 6.7% in 2008 Despite Economy
Even in the face of a worsening economy, the nation's community foundations raised their giving by an estimated 6.7% in 2008 to a record $4.6 billion, according to the Foundation Center’s new “Key Facts on Community Foundations” report.  But nearly three-quarters of community foundations expect to decrease their giving in 2009.
 
> Corporate Foundation Giving Remained Flat in 2008
     
> Giving Circles Encourage Donors to Give More, New Study Finds
   
> Fidelity Study: Women Playing a Prominent Role in Shaping Future of Philanthropy
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Legislative Update
     
> Rep. Suzanne Kosmas Introduces IRA Charitable Giving Act
Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas, who represents Florida’s 24th District in Congress, introduced the IRA Charitable Giving Act on May 14, 2009, to extend the tax-free treatment of distributions from individual retirement plans for charitable purposes. Kosmas decided to introduce the bill after a visit to her office by representatives of Florida Philanthropic Network in March.
    
Focus On: Obama’s Emerging Relationship With Philanthropy & Nonprofit Sector
The past month saw a lot of action from the Obama administration of particular note for philanthropy and nonprofits:
     
Michelle Obama Announces Social Innovation Fund    On May 5, First Lady Michelle Obama announced that the Obama administration plans to create a $50 million social innovation fund to help finance and expand promising nonprofit agencies.
     
> Meanwhile, nonprofits received “mixed results” in President Obama’s 2010 budget, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy. The President’s budget showed that he continues to push for limits on charitable deductions and to support keeping the estate tax at current levels.
   
> Over at The American Prospect, Lauren Foster takes an in-depth look at how philanthropy is adapting to the Obama era.
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Calendar
   
June 16, 2009
FPN Webinar
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: What It Means for Florida
   
June 17-19, 2009
Florida Prosperity Partnership Conference

Orlando, FL
   
November 18-19, 2009
2009 BoardSource Leadership Forum
“Leading Change in the Emerging Economy”
Orlando, FL
   
Save the Date!
February 11-12, 2010
Florida Philanthropic Network's 2010 Summit on Philanthropy

The Peabody Hotel
Orlando, FL   
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Welcome New FPN Member
    
> Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Sarasota
 
    
Florida Philanthropic Network is a statewide association of grantmakers working to strengthen philanthropy through research, education and public policy.
   
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