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Member Benefit Highlight
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What can AGF do for your organization?
Contact foundation peers directly with the AGF Listserv!
Do you have a question to ask other foundation professionals? Do you know of an event or resource in which other funders might be interested?
Use the AGF listserv for easy, direct communication with the entire membership.
Simply send your email to
agf-forum @talk.netatlantic.com
Email Emma any questions! |
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Please help us welcome Kelli Solomkin to the AGF staff!
 Kelli Solomkin has joined the AGF team as our Manager of Programs & Member Services. Kelli has a strong background in event planning, communications, media relations and donor relations. Until recently, she was Director of Special Events and Alumni Relations for the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism where she planned and executed over 100 events a year. Prior to this, she was Program Coordinator at the ASU Foundation, where she supported the growth and retention of the Women & Philanthropy program. Kelli has a Master's degree in Public Relations from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. AGF is thrilled to have her! Only 49 Days left until Arizona Gives Day! 
How many Arizonans do you know? Have you told them about Arizona Gives Day? We need you to help spread the word so that every Arizonan knows that March 20th is the day to show their support for the nonprofit sector.
So what can you do?
- Remind your grantees to register their nonprofits!
- "Like" the Arizona Gives Day Facebook page
- Find them on Twitter
- Spread the word and encourage your board, co-workers, friends, and family to do the same!
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Feb. 1 Evidence-Based Practices to Better Ensure Impact
Feb. 6 Keys to Advancement: Earning Leadership Credibility
Feb. 12 AGF Board Meeting
Feb. 22 Program-Profile of AGF Affinity Groups
March 28 Education Funders Meeting - Overview of Build Initiative
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Belen Gonzalez honored for her work in Latino philanthropy
 Belen Gonzalez, program officer for Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and AGF Board Member, was honored for her work in creating the Latina Giving Circle, which is part of the Latinos Unidos, a philanthropic initiative of the Arizona Community Foundation. Under Belen's leadership, the first-of-its-kind Arizona group inspired similar organizations in San Francisco and Mexico City. Please visit the group's website at www.azlatinagivingcircle.org.
 Profile of the Professionals: Kelly Balthazor, US Airways Kelly Balthazor, Director of Community Relations for US Airways, will be a featured speaker on an upcoming webinar for the Center of Corporate Citizenship, housed at Boston College. The webinar will be February 6, 2013 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET. Learn more here. Apply today for the APS Foundation Spring grant funding cycle The APS Foundation is committed to making an impact in Arizona communities and does so by supporting nonprofits throughout the state that advance knowledge in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. The Foundation supports a range of STEM programs as well as a signature initiative that focuses on supporting teachers by developing content knowledge in the STEM subjects as well as strong pedagogical skills. The goal of the Foundation is to best equip the next generation of Arizona's workforce and keep the state strong and competitive. Privately endowed by Pinnacle West Capital Corp. in 1981 as an independent 501(c)(3) organization, the APS Foundation distributes funds through a bi-annual grant process. Since its inception, it has invested more than $31 million in Arizona nonprofits. The Foundation is now accepting grant applications for its Spring funding cycle. The grant application deadline is Friday, March 1. For Foundation guidelines and to access the grant application, visit www.aps.com/corporategiving and click on "APS Foundation."
US Airways Community Relations is accepting 2013 requests for contributions
US Airways Community Relations guiding principle is to engage, educate and inspire. We believe good corporate citizenship contributes to the economic and social well-being of our employees, shareholders, customers and the communities in which we operate. Through corporate philanthropy and employee volunteerism, we help to make our communities better places to live, work and play. In 2012, our investment of time and philanthropic gifts totaled more than $9 million. To fulfill our commitment, the airline supports multiple programs to provide support to nonprofit organizations and schools throughout our route system. Please review the information on all funding opportunities with US Airways. On-line applications and information on each opportunity is available at www.usairways.com/corporategiving. Piper announces Marilee Del Pra as Vice President of Programs
 Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust has appointed Marilee Dal Pra vice president of programs. In this new role she will oversee Piper Trust's community initiatives and strategic program development. Dal Pra has been a program director at Piper Trust since 2001; her position as vice president of programs is effective immediately. Carol Kratz, a program director who also joined the Trust in 2001, has moved to a part-time capacity and will continue to lead the Trust's rich body of work and initiatives related to older adults and arts and culture. More info. Reminder about Homelessness and Hunger Funders CollaborativeThe Funders Collaborative is coming together one more time to provide critical supports to organizations providing relief to individuals and families as it relates to food and emergency shelter targeting the homelessness. This will be the 5th and final year of this collaboration. As a funder, please consider contributing to this collective pool of funds. We believe the need for the special support for basic services still exists. If you are interested in participating in this funder collaborative, please contact Ed Portnoy by January 31st. |
 Denise Higgins Vice President/Trustee Ibis Foundation of Arizona
Name: Denise Andriello-Higgins
Age: 54
Birthplace: Bronx, New York
Family: Married to David for 32 years. We have a 21-year-old son, 18-year-old daughter and a 13-year-old son. We also have 2 dogs and a cat.
Current Position: Vice-President/Trustee of the Ibis Foundation of Arizona. Currently Secretary of Educare Arizona Board of Directors, Vice-Chair of Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health (NOAH) and Director, Balsz Community Education Foundation
First job: My first job out of college was a Caseworker Secretary in San Diego for the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. It was in a beautiful building downtown. I learned to interview potential candidates who would be matched up with the children. I also learned how to make coffee in a 25- cup urn and I'm still not very good at making coffee.
Hobbies/Favorite Pastime: I have been taking ballroom dance lessons for a year. I love to read and write and I attend a weekly creative writing group. I like to scrapbook and do art journaling. I enjoy traveling and being in the outdoors. I also love to watch our daughter play in volleyball tournaments and watch my son play hockey.
What I do After Work: Read up on current literature in health, education, policy and events related to Foundation work.
Path to Philanthropy: I started out in my career as a health educator and part of my job required that I write grants for health education programs. All of my education and training was around issues that impacted the community and I worked with a number of disadvantaged groups. In 2005, my husband and I had the opportunity to start a private foundation and formalize our giving. It has been an on the job learning experience for both of us. It continues to be extremely gratifying to be able to be in the position of giving. We both feel blessed. AGF was one of the first organizations that I have joined and it has provided tremendous resources and professional support for which I am grateful as well.
Favorite Quote: I have so many favorites. "The energy it takes to ignore an inner longing is greater than the leap of faith it takes to move you in the direction of your dreams." -Anonymous
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Community Events/Resources
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Call for Nominations: Excellence in Philanthropy Awards The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy is seeking nominations for our First Annual NCRP Awards Program. Nomination deadline is February 1st. Foundation staff and board members (as well as nonprofit staff and board members) can nominate up to three foundations for each award. Learn more.
What does the American Taxpayer Relief Act mean for nonprofits?
Congress recently passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act which provided some temporary good news for the charitable sector. However, it is important that funders to understand the implications of the decisions which have already been made and those that are still to be addressed. This summary of recent articles may help you to get up to speed.
Looking for a job in the philanthropic sector in Arizona? Visit the
Jobs page on the AGF website today!
Local Events
YNPN Kickoff Event, January 31, US Airways Center
Phoenix Theater Gala, February 1, Arizona Biltmore
Scottsdale League for the Arts: Scottsdale Culinary Festival, April 9-14, Scottsdale
National Philanthropy News & Events
Sixth Annual Media Learning Seminar, February 10-12, 2013
Registration is now open for this Knight Foundation-sponsored seminar, which gathers philanthropic, media, and technology leaders to explore how to localize the latest trends in news and information. Participants will be able to see firsthand how these community and place-based foundations are advancing our field by meeting local information needs.
Check out AGF's compilation of national philanthropic websites "Calendar of Events" for a complete list.
For a list of more national webinars, visit the Council on Foundations comprehensive Events page.
Other Resources:
Chronicle of Philanthropy
Council on Foundations Newsroom
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