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SDG Update

The Buffett/Gates Philanthropic Initiative 
 
Image: Mark Peterson / Fortune
Buffett, Gates dinner
 
Most of you have probably heard about "The Giving Pledge" announced last week by billionaire philanthropists Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.  (You may read about it in the Union-Tribune, Wall Street JournalFortune, and/or Forbes).  The pledge, the result of a series of dinners during which the men discussed how philanthropy was being affected by the recession, is an open call to all rich Americans to commit to giving at least half their wealth to charitable groups within their lifetimes or after their deaths.
 
What is of particular interest about this initiative will be the extent to which it could increase the practice of philanthropy and its ultimate impact on society.
 
The Buffett/Gates call to action is similar to the Giving While Living Campaign of The Atlantic Philanthropies.  In fact, SDG members the Jacobs Family Foundation and The Leichtag Family Foundation plan to completely exhaust their funds and sunset their foundations within defined time periods.
 
A valid point has been made that donors shouldn't simply begin handing out checks, but rather be strategic and thoughtful in their contributions in order to be effective.
 
At the very least, The Giving Pledge has sparked some important conversations about philanthropy among some very influential people.
 
"The man who dies rich dies disgraced."
Andrew Carnegie
New at SDG!
 
New Online Services for Members
SDG has switched to a new member database system that streamlines our operational procedures and offers members several new online benefits, including the ability to register for events and schedule reminders, submit new events for the web calendar, update member profiles, add or remove trustees and staff, change email addresses and phone numbers, and keep missions, giving areas and giving levels up to date.  Each member was sent an e-mail with their new website login username and password. Click here today to check it out!  E-mail phyllis@sdgrantmakers.org with any questions.
 
Michelle SlingerlandDirector of Communications Hired!
SDG welcomes Michelle Slingerland as its new director of communications.  Most recently, Slingerland was the public affairs manager at the San Diego County Apartment Association.  Slingerland's experience in communications and public policy will help enhance SDG's services to members.
 
Reminder!
We recently sent a request to the primary contacts at each member organization asking them to complete a very brief survey (5 minutes or less) on grantmaking to help families build a stronger future.  If you have not already completed the survey, please click here to do so.  Thank you for your assistance with identifying ways we can support grantmaking in this area.
SDG Events
 
Mark your calendars!
 
SAVE THE DATE: Distinguished Philanthropists Luncheon
Sept. 10, 2010, 12PM-2PM
University of San Diego, School of Leadership and Education Sciences Executive Classroom
Philanthropy is made up of the stories of individuals. The Distinguished Philanthropists panel has been designed to gather notable San Diego philanthropists together to share their stories of philanthropy, so that the San Diego grantmaking community can learn about and build upon their experiences in an intimate setting that will also include discussion about lessons learned.  Additional details coming soon.
 
October 14, 2010, 8AM-3PM
Joe & Vi Jacobs Center, 404 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Local grantmakers of all sizes, types, and giving areas convene at this event each year to explore new ideas and discuss best practices.  This valuable event only happens once a year, so register today to ensure your spot!  Follow the link above for additional details.
 
Reports from Recent SDG Programs
Members may log in to access program materials.
 
L to R: Chris Padilla, facilitator Lee Ann Kim, Pedro Anaya, Alex Montoya, Nancy Jamison
Speakers
Personal Journeys: From Poverty and Adversity to Success (June 22)
Last week, SDG members heard from three San Diego County residents who overcame social and economic challenges as adolescents - in part with the help of philanthropy - to achieve success and serve as leaders to future generations.  Each of the speakers shared the experience of being Latino men who grew up in disadvantaged San Diego County communities, and each recalled specific events that were turning points in their lives and the inspiration to work toward better futures.  It was an opportunity for grantmakers to learn exactly what those motivating experiences were, and where their resources as funders might be best applied to help others realize similar triumphs.  Interestingly, each speaker agreed that programs to help family units - be it in health care, youth sports or technology training - are the best ways to give families the ability to help themselves.
 
Sandra McBrayer, CEO, The Children's Initiative, presented key findings and outcomes from the 2009 San Diego County Report Card on Children and Families. The Report Card presents data on 26 health and well-being indicators that together present a snapshot of the health and progress for the children and families in San Diego County.  Recommendations for the region based on these findings were also presented, and SDG members Doug Sawyer and Mark Cafferty shared how their organizations use the report card to drive their funding strategies in our community.  To access the program presentation, follow the link above to the SDG member login page.   
 
Click here for a full list of upcoming SDG programs and events.
SDG Members...
In the News
 
■  SDG welcomes a new member to our local association of grantmakers: the San Diego County Commission on Children, Youth and Families!  
 
 
■  JPMorgan Chase creates a $325 million funding initiative for high-performing charter schools.
 
■  The Gary and Mary West Foundation gives $25 million to the West Wireless Health Institute to advance wireless technology advances in health care.  (Also read about it here and here).
 
■  The San Diego Commission for Arts & Culture releases its 2009 Economic & Community Impact Report during a press conference with San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders.  The report is also covered in an article by the San Diego Business Journal.
 
■  The San Diego Women's Foundation announces grant recipients during its 10th annual Grants Celebration.
 
■  The James Irvine Foundation announces $8.6 million in new grants, including funding to the La Jolla Playhouse.
Member Collaborative Updates
 
Next meeting: July 21, 2010, 3PM-5PM
Click here to indicate whether you'll attend.
SDG is thrilled to announce that the Coming Home to Stay working group is the recipient of a $500,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships grant!  Local grantmakers have agreed to contribute additional funds in excess of $800,000 over a three-year period.
 
Next meeting: Aug. 23, 2010, 10AM-12PM
Click here to indicate whether you'll attend.
Members of the Homelessness Working Group pooled their funds to support the creation of a "Keys to Housing" Advisory Council and Steering Committee tasked with developing a regional vision for ending family homelessness that can eventually be adopted by various jurisdictions.  The goal is to produce a regional planning document with agreed upon measurable outcomes and strategies by fall 2011.  San Diego Councilman Todd Gloria is Chair of the Advisory Council, which is comprised of a group of elected officials and community leaders from throughout San Diego County to work in conjunction with the Steering Committe and other stakeholders.  Two recent opinion pieces by Councilman Gloria (one in the Union-Tribune and one in the North Park News) describe the need for such a collaboration. 
Grantmakers & Government 
 
■  After the unsuccessful attempt in California to pass AB 624, which would have required foundations to disclose diversity-related information, there has been significant debate about the extent of government regulation of the philanthropic sector.  Since then, Florida passed Senate Bill 998, which specifically prohibits the state or its local governments from requiring foundations to disclose certain demographic data about board and staff members, as well as grantees, without their written permission, and also prohibits the state from requiring a diverse board or requiring a foundation to make grants based on demographic information.  While some maintain that the law prevents onerous regulations on grantmaking organizations, others argue (here and here) that it projects a desire for secrecy, and may therefore undermine public support for philanthropy.
 
■  So, what is the right relationship between philanthropy and government?  Respondents to a GrantCraft survey attempt to answer this question.  Several articles on Governance in The Symposium on the Law of Philanthropy Part 1 also explore government regulation of the third sector.  Lastly, the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative's report Not Exactly Retiring in Florida provides an in-depth look at one example of good government-philanthropy collaboration.
 
■  Last month, the Council on Foundations released an Issue Paper explaining why grantmakers should support simplifying the excise tax on private foundations.
Worth the Read
Conversations on Grantmaking
 
Giving USA 2010.  Giving USA Foundation.  June 9, 2010.
 
"Strengthening small, community-based nonprofits." Grantee (a publication of The California Wellness Foundation).  Spring 2010.
 
"Why financial ratios aren't the way to evaluate nonprofit organizations."  Retrieved from GreatNonprofits.org.  June 24, 2010.
 
"Youth perspectives in philanthropy."  Blog.  The Center for High Impact Philanthropy.  June 3, 2010.
 
"Help us build the ultimate philanthropy bookshelf."  Blog.  The Chronicle on Philanthropy.  May 24, 2010.
Resources for Grantmakers
 
■  Charity Navigator - 2010 Metro Market Study.  Contains a metro market profile of San Diego's charitable sector.
 
■  Expertise on Demand from Philanthropedia, for grantmakers in need of expert advice.  Sean Stannard-Stockton, founder and CEO of Tactical Philanthropy Advisors and slated moderator of the morning plenary at the SDG 2010 Annual Conference, is chair of the steering committee tasked with designing Expertise on Demand.
 
■  The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has created a Guide to Actionable Measurement to help staff decide how best to allocate time and resources.
 
 
 
 
■  University of Arkansas, Clinton School of Public Service report "Community Philanthropy: Strategies for Impacting Vulnerable Populations".
 
■  McKinsey & Company White Paper "Learning for Social Impact: What Foundations Can Do".
Other Events of Interest
 
Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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We'd love to hear from you!
 
Thank you for being a member of San Diego Grantmakers.  We are always trying to improve our services to members, and we welcome your feedback.  Please send your thoughts, comments and suggestions to nancy@sdgrantmakers.org.
June 2010
In This Issue
Buffett/Gates Pledge
SDG Events
SDG Member News
Working Group Updates
Grantmakers & Government
Conversations on Grantmaking
Grantmaking Resources
Quick Links
 
Featured Member Benefit:
 
 
SDG has updated its disaster grantmaking resource page with information about philanthropic responses to the Gulf oil spill.