August 2011           A monthly e-newsletter for people interested in Florida philanthropy      Headlines      Jacksonville Foundations Support Safety Net Groups for Third Year Jacksonville foundations have come together for a third year to provide critical support to nonprofits helping people impacted by the ongoing recession. The Jessie Ball duPont Fund committed $600,000 to re-open the Community Safety Net Fund at The Community Foundation in Jacksonville; that gift was matched by $300,000 from the Lucy Gooding Charitable Foundation Trust. The Community Foundation is soliciting additional gifts.           Department of Veterans Affairs Approves Enhancement to Sarasota National Cemetery Funded by The Patterson Foundation The Patterson Foundation's proposed $5.5 million ceremonial enhancement to Sarasota National Cemetery has been approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The 1.77-acre enhancement design within the cemetery's 295-acre compound will allow veterans' families and veterans groups to use the grounds in honor of their fallen military loved ones.     > The Miami Foundation Launches Class VI of Miami Fellows Leadership Program The Miami Foundation is launching Class VI of Miami Fellows, a leadership development program designed for individuals who have demonstrated leadership and have the dedication to do more, with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Applications are due by Aug. 12.      > Jaguars Foundation Awards First Grants of 2011 The Jaguars Foundation awarded $594,000 in its first grant cycle of 2011 to 22 local nonprofits serving economically and socially disadvantaged children and families in Northeast Florida.     > Bank of America Invests More Than $1 Million in Paid Summer Internships at Nonprofits Bank of America is partnering with 95 nonprofits to put 230 civic-minded high schoolers to work across the country this summer as part of its Student Leaders program. Funded by the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, the program matches local nonprofits with Student Leaders for a paid, eight-week internship.      > Community Foundation Approves Special Grant to Octagon Sanctuary The Board of Directors of the Charlotte Community Foundation approved a special grant to assist the Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary with replacing the trailer and equipment, supplies and medicine that was destroyed in an electrical fire in May.      Education Funding News       New Community Foundation Initiative Seeks to Boost Graduation Rate in Broward Country The Community Foundation of Broward brought together more than 40 community leaders to participate in two "School is Cool" conversations to examine how to improve graduation rates through middle school student success in Broward County, which has one of the highest dropout rates in the nation. The meetings will shape the approach of the foundation's new School is Cool initiative, which seeks to raise graduation rates in Broward from 78% to 90% in the next five years.   > New Report Delivers Insights for Funders and Officials Working Toward Education Reform A new issue brief published by the Foundation Center provides critical insights into how private funders can improve the effectiveness of their working relationships with state and local education leaders on reform issues. "Moving Education Reform Forward: Grantmakers Reflect on a Convening with State and Local Government Education Leaders" is based on interviews with participants at a national gathering convened in January 2011.      FPN News       Read FPN Stories & Highlights from 2010 FPN is pleased to present our 2010 Annual Report, which highlights our accomplishments during 2010 to support and advance the philanthropic efforts of our members to build a better Florida. Along with providing all the traditional data of an annual report, the report showcases some stories of our impact in 2010. The report is available as an online document only that can be viewed online, downloaded, printed and shared.      > FPN President Elected Vice Chair of National Philanthropy Board FPN President & CEO David Biemesderfer has been elected vice chair of the board of directors of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers in Arlington, VA, a national philanthropic leader and a network of 35 regional associations of grantmakers.          Government & Policy Watch         Charitable Deduction Not Touched in Debt-Ceiling Deal The new federal law to increase the debt-ceiling limit does not make any changes in the tax deduction that donors receive for making charitable gifts. But a cap on the deduction is likely to be considered by the "super" committee meeting over the next few months to identify more cuts. FPN's president & member leaders recently voiced support for preserving the charitable deduction in The Miami Herald, Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Jacksonville Times-Union.      People        Nicole (Desmarais) Coudal        Edward King Jr.   > Nicole (Desmarais) Coudal was named to the newly created position of chief of staff for The Community Foundation of Sarasota County, where she will be responsible for development strategy and act as liaison to the board of directors. Coudal brings a wealth of human resource and business management experience to the position through her previous work in the municipal and corporate sectors including with the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, Arthur Andersen LLP and The Zenith Insurance Company.     > Alberto Ibargüen, President and CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, was named to The NonProfit Times' Power and Influence Top 50 list for 2011.   In Memoriam   > Rev. Edward King Jr., senior program officer for the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, died on July 13 after a long illness. He was 60 years old. Rev. King's life was guided by his deep faith and his concern for others, and he expressed those values in his choice of occupations and his personal demeanor. Much of his 18-year career in philanthropy was spent working with churches and religious organizations, and he was a vocal champion of community work on behalf of the poor and underserved. He joined the Dade Community Foundation (now The Miami Foundation) in 1989 as a program officer working on affordable housing and economic development in economically depressed neighborhoods. In 1995 he moved to the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, where was senior program officer for the Fund's religion portfolio during most of his tenure. The board and staff of FPN extend our condolences to Rev. King's family, friends and co-workers.      Jobs Recent job postings on FPN's Jobs Board:      > Controller, Community Foundation of Central Florida.     > Director of Gift Planning, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties.      Funding Opportunities       Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Foundation: Embrace a Healthy Florida Initiative The foundation invites proposals for Embrace a Healthy Florida, its initiative addressing the causes of childhood obesity, which has been launched in Jacksonville, Central Florida, Opa-Locka, Hialeah, Sulphur Springs (Tampa) and Tallahassee. Deadline: Aug. 8.         Gulf Coast Community Foundation: 2011-2012 Grant Guidelines The foundation has posted its 2011-12 grant guidelines for program or operating grants for its current fiscal year. First grant deadline: Aug. 23.         Lightning Foundation: Community Heroes Program The Lightning Foundation, the charitable arm of the Tampa Bay Lightning, welcomes nominations for community heroes who are making Tampa Bay a better place to live, work and play. At each of the team's 41 regular season home games in 2011-12, the Lightning will honor a Community Hero and award $50,000 to an eligible nonprofit representing that Hero's cause. First nomination deadline: Aug. 15.         The Miami Foundation: Nonprofit Executive Grants The foundation is offering grants of up to $5,000 for nonprofit executives to attend leadership skills and management development programs, as part of its initiative to support and recognize leaders who are making outstanding contributions in the community. Deadline: Aug. 12.            Winter Park Health Foundation: Supporting Health Programs in Faith Communities The foundation invites applications for grants of up to $7,500 to support the development of health programs in faith community settings, focused on faith communities with a strong representation from Eatonville, Maitland and Winter Park. Deadline: Aug. 19.      Welcome New FPN Members     > Community Foundation for Brevard, Melbourne.     > A.D. Henderson Foundation, Fort Lauderdale.     > Lightning Foundation, Tampa.     > The Mosaic Company, Lithia.     > Sweetbay Supermarket, Tampa.        Follow FPN on Twitter @flphilanthropy    Follow FPN on our new Facebook page           Florida Philanthropic Network is a statewide association of grantmakers working to strengthen philanthropy through research, education and public policy.     Join Florida Philanthropic Network.   Not a Grantmaker?  Become a Friend of the Network.