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| Forum Resource Spotlight |
A searchable online directory of all regional association staff and their contact information. Don't forget to login and update your profile!
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Be Sure to Read
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This publication from Alliance for Justice provides information on 11 benefits and conversation-starters about philanthropic advocacy and lobbying.
It answers questions about legal rules and provides concrete examples, templates, resources, and tips to help foundations and their grantee partners understand how advocacy and lobbying leverages their grant dollars, strengthens their missions, and helps them shape positive policy change to benefit communities.
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Top 10 Association Management & Operations Resources
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| Newsletter Archive | |
Miss an issue of Forum Bits?
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How Effective Nonprofits Work Now Available as PDF
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How Effective Nonprofits Work, one of our most popular past publications, is now available electronically for the first time on the Forum's website.
How Effective Nonprofits Work: A Guide for Donors, Board Members and Foundation Officers is an easy-to-reference primer that shortens the traditional learning curve to empower donors, volunteers and others to become active leaders in nonprofits. The book covers essentials such as assessing nonprofits' effectiveness; the roles of staff, boards and donors; and the importance of fundraising and preparation for the future. Quick takes on nonprofit strategies, structures, and best practices are interspersed with short essays. Applicable to both new and experienced nonprofit supporters, it blends practical information with analytical perspectives from experts in the field.
Please note that the content of this guide has not been updated.
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Collaborating with the State Priority Partnership in Your State: Council of Michigan Foundations
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This is the first in a series of 3 examples of how regional associations are working with the State Priority Partnership organization in their regions.
The Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) and the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP), home of the State Priorities Partnership project in Michigan, have long partnered to raise awareness in the foundation community on federal and state fiscal issues.
Specifically, MLPP frequently advises the CMF Public Policy Committee on important issues, provides overviews and analysis of the state budget for CMF members, provides a preview of the results of Michigan Kids Count Data Book, and prepares brief summaries for Foundations on the Hill participants with talking points on key issues such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and renewal of the Children's Health Insurance Program.
"The Michigan League for Public Policy serves as a primary source for our members on how federal and state fiscal policies impact charitable nonprofits and the low-income Michiganders they serve," said Rob Collier, President and CEO, Council of Michigan Foundations.
There are many ways to collaborate with the State Priorities Partnership organization in your state. Whether your RA is sharing information with members or jointly conducting advocacy efforts, you and your members will benefit from this relationship.
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Latest SOI Data Available
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The Statistics of Income Bulletin is produced annually by the IRS with data providing a broad look at relative income and giving across the 50 states. Connecticut Council for Philanthropy combines the pertinent information from each state into one large data file that can be sorted and analyzed. Having this information on hand can help you discuss your state or region's individual giving patterns.
The dataset includes 13 different Excel tables contained in one large Excel workbook. Each table features the data sorted in a different way, so that you can see how your state(s) compares with the other states in terms of income, itemization, and philanthropic contributions.
Thank you to Connecticut Council for Philanthropy for sharing this data!
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White House Briefing on Immigration for Regional Associations
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 On September 28, almost 20 representatives from the Forum Network came together in Washington, DC to participate in a White House briefing on immigration with Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees. The meeting was a special opportunity for regionals to learn about relevant demographics and current immigration issues; examine recent policies and programs; and discuss the role of funder networks and potential partnerships with government agencies. Regional Reflections
GCIR has put together a resource page on the global refugee crisis including resources from its Philanthropy and the Global Refugee Crisis webinar series, recommendations on how funders can respond, and articles on the topic.
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Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Network Programming
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Public Policy Round Robin
Tuesday, October 13, 2-3 pm ET
These monthly calls are an opportunity for regional association staff to exchange information on policy work, both legislative and administrative.
Lobbying Rules and Regulations for RA Staff
Thursday, October 22, 2-3 pm ET Are you confused by state and federal rules and regulations regarding lobbying? Unsure of the limits and reporting requirements? Lobbying is a permissible activity for all 501(c)(3) public charities, including regional associations. However, many organizations are hesitant to lobby because they are unsure of what's allowed.
Join us for a brief webinar to learn about how these regulations impact your regional association and your members. Presenters include: Abby Levine, Legal Director, Bolder Advocacy at Alliance for Justice and Erin Skene-Pratt, Director, PolicyWorks for Philanthropy at the Forum.
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Response to the Roseburg Tragedy: How You Can Help
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Nonprofit Repositioning Fund Formed in Philadelphia Region
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 Local philanthropic organizations in the Greater Philadelphia area have collaborated to form the Nonprofit Repositioning Fund, a regional effort to improve the capacity, effectiveness, and financial health of nonprofits. The Fund has committed $1,425,000 over three years for grants that will encourage and support formal, long-term collaborations between nonprofit organizations including alliances and back-office consolidations, programmatic joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions. The Fund will make grants at three levels, including early stage seed awards, exploratory grants of up to $40,000, and implementation grants of up to $100,000. These grants will help to support technical assistance and one-time costs associated with repositioning activities among two or more nonprofits serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and/or Philadelphia counties.
Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia will host and administer the Fund.
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What Has Been Your Best Program This Year?
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Have you submitted it to the Grantmaker Education Programming Directory? This searchable database of regional associations' "best" grantmaker education programs, favorite speakers, and planning tools, was developed by and for regional associations to help them more effectively and efficiently meet their members' diverse educational needs.
Submitting a program is easy through our web form.
If you have any questions about the directory, please feel free to contact Mary O'Neill.
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WRAG's Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility
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 In 2014, Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers launched the Institute for Corporate Social Responsibility in partnership with Johns Hopkins University. This professional development curriculum offers CSR practitioners from across the country the opportunity to earn a professional certificate from Johns Hopkins in just six months.
WRAG is excited to offer this high-quality opportunity to the Forum Network as a member benefit. Additional details:
- Discounted tuition: Your corporate members may register for the Institute at the WRAG member rate of $5,000 (a discount of $2,500). To take advantage of this offer, your members will need to select your RA's name from the drop down list on the application form.
- $500 referral bonus for each registrant: For each of your members who registers as a result of your RA's outreach efforts, WRAG will send you a check for $500. (WRAG will confirm how registrants heard about the Institute via the application form).
Throughout the fall, Katy Moore, WRAG's Director, Corporate Strategy, will be sharing a series of sample marketing materials that you can use to help get the word out about this opportunity to your membership. To get you started, WRAG has shared a sample blog post.
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Iowa Council of Foundations Appoints New President
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 The Board of Directors of the Iowa Council of Foundations has announced the appointment of Kari McCann as ICoF's new President. She begins her new role on October 12, 2015.
Kari comes to the ICoF from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD) where she has served as Director of Nonprofit Partnerships and Grantmaking since 2013. Prior to her position at the CFGD, she worked at Lumina Foundation and The Clowes Fund in Indianapolis. In addition, Kari has worked for Grantmakers for Effective Organizations and the R.J. McElroy Trust. Kari is a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.
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Save the Date: Joint Policy Institute
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Join policy leaders from across the country for a Joint Policy Institute of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers and National Council of Nonprofits in Chicago on August 29-31, 2016!
Building on the success of the Forum's longstanding PolicyWorks Institute and the National Council of Nonprofits' national and regional advocacy institutes, we're pleased to bring our two networks together to enhance collaboration and catalyze action at the state level. We hope to have three representatives from each regional association and state association of nonprofits participate, including RA staff and RA committee or board leaders interested in policy work. Mark your calendar for this important event and watch your email for additional details! Questions about the Institute? Contact Erin Skene-Pratt, Director of PolicyWorks for Philanthropy
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Upcoming Programming for Grantmakers- Share With Your Members
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Through partnerships with other organizations in the field, the following webinars are available to members of regional associations. Please consider sharing with your networks and contact Mary O'Neill with any questions.
 Revitalizing Our Cities - How Foundations and Grantmakers Can Invest in a Better Economic Future (Sponsored by Venable LLC)Wednesday, October 21, 1-2 pm ET
Register to participate
Across the country, large cities are grappling with the challenges of increasing economic disparity and urban decline. Alongside the efforts of state and local governments, private foundations and grantmakers can play a leading role in fostering economic revitalization and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and visionaries who see a brighter future for our cities. Please join Venable LLP and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers for an analysis and discussion of program-related investments and similar strategies to make a meaningful impact on the economic landscape. Our panel will address both legal and practical considerations for foundations, including case studies, and lead a conversation on current priority areas for some of the cities at the forefront of these efforts.
Speakers
 What Every Funder Needs to Know to Evaluate Technology Requests (Hosted by Idealware) October 27 & 29
This two-day webinar (October 27th and 29th ) will empower more program officers and other decision makers to look closely at proposals that include technology requests and determine when it is the right fit for a particular project and when it's an unnecessary "extra."
Become a Promotional Partner By working with Idealware to promote the course, your members will receive a discount code that allows them to register for $10 off the registration fee of $95. You'll also receive a full list of your participating members. As an added bonus, you'll be invited to send a staff member from your RA through the training series for free. As a promotional partner we ask that you market the course to your members by sending, at a minimum, one standalone email. Want to do more? To support your marketing efforts, Idealware has created a detailed marketing packet that includes a course description, emails, and social media posts written with your members in mind. Contact Lauren Zdunczyk at Idealware if you would like more information and she will send you a specific discount code, a link to the registration page, and the marketing packet.
Building a Program-Based Budget, and Other Secrets to Successful Financial Management (Sponsored by The Wallace Foundation)
Tuesday, Nov. 3rd, 2-3pm ET
Do you know the real cost to your nonprofit of running each individual program? Developing an accurate budget can help you better understand your program's true costs. This webinar will demonstrate a free, newly developed planning tool designed to assist nonprofits with aligning budget line items for restricted (and unrestricted) revenue sources.
Participants will receive a free copy of the tool for use in their own organizations, as well as a virtual tour of StrongNonprofits.org- a free, web-based financial management toolkit and an introduction to some of its other top tools, such as:
- A cash flow projection template
- A guide to budget development
- A tool for making decisions on new funding opportunities
- A webinar to help board members understand their financial responsibilities
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Reminder: Webinar Series Opportunity on Philanthropy Consulting
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Please consider sharing this opportunity with your members.
Based on the groundbreaking Spring issue of The Foundation Review, the first edition dedicated to the practice of philanthropy consulting, the National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers (NNCG) is presenting a series of seven webinars that will dive deeper into many of the publication's article topics. Remaining webinars include:
This series is co-sponsored by the Council on Foundations, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, The Foundation Center, Learn Philanthropy, Northern California Grantmakers, and The Foundation Review.
NNCG members can register at no cost and non-NNCG members can receive a multi-webinar discount.
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Forum Network in the News
|  Recent media mentions of regional associations around the country:
Southern California Grantmakers: Los Angeles County Creates Center for Strategic Public-Private Partnerships (Center creation the result of a recommendation of the Foster Care Funders Collaborative-led by SCG)
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Highlights from RA Blogging
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Upcoming Events
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FOR REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
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Forum Office Contacts
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 Dan Brady, Communications Manager (202-521-9161)
- Contact Dan with questions about the Knowledgebase, content management, listservs, social networking, and online content strategy.
Courtney Moore, Member Services and Operations Manager (202-888-7428)
- Contact Courtney for general information about Forum membership and services, regional association contact information, conference and teleconference logistics, member surveys, and orientation for new regional association staff. Courtney is also the main contact for regional association staff updates.
- Contact Mary with questions about grantmaker education, public policy, organizational partnerships, and special projects such as the Essential Skills and Strategies for New Grantmakers.
Val Rozansky, Director of Knowledge Services (202-888-7430)
- Contact Val with questions about the Forum's Knowledge Management Initiative, KM system partnerships, membership databases, and all issues relating to technology and electronic communications.
- Contact Erin with questions about the Forum's public policy work including protecting the charitable deduction, building capacity of regional associations to engage in policy, and the PolicyWorks for Philanthropy initiative.
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Courtney Moore, Member Services and Operations Manager  Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers |
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Our colleagues at Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington and Philanthropy Northwest have partnered with the 