| MPC Members and Philanthropy News | |
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MPC News
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MPC Hires new Program and Communications Director
The Maine Philanth  ropy Center is pleased to announce that Vrylena Olney will soon be joining us as our new Program and Communications Director. Vrylena comes to MPC from the Museum of Science in Boston where for the past 10 years she has been leading a project to create and grow a learning network and programming among 14 institutions and 60 professional staff. She will begin full-time in early June. Welcome Vrylena!! 2015 Maine Giving Reports Now Available
 Because MPC members work on every side of an issue--as funders, nonprofits, foundation trustees, and volunteers--MPC is uniquely positioned to make connections among our members and make Maine a better place to live, work, and play. This month, we spotlight MPC Member, the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation and Executive Director Jay Espy. Come back to our site for quarterly introductions to MPC members, from every part of our MPC membership. |
| MPC Programs You Won't Want to Miss | |
Investing in and Advocating for Access to Justice for Poor and Vulnerable Mainers
Tuesday, May 5, 2015, 9am -12 noon (lunch included)
Maple Hill Farm, Hallowell
The Maine Bar Foundation is hosting a celebration and statewide conversation about how philanthropic organizations support access-to-justice in Maine and how legal aid helps move their agendas forward. Craig Freshley of Good Group Decisions will facilitate the gathering and also guide contemplation of the future of collaboration between Maine's natural allies-the philanthropic and access-to-justice communities. The Maine Philanthropy Center has been active in the planning for this event and encourages interested members to attend.
Please RSVP by Email to: Diana Scully, Executive Director, Maine Bar Foundation, dscully@mbf.org
Let's Talk about Health: A conversation among Maine Funders and Nonprofits
May 12, 2015
1:00-3:30pm
Maple Hill Farm, Hallowell, ME
$35 MPC members, $45 Non-member
Register now - space is limited!
Grantmakers and nonprofit organizations interested in the health of Maine people and communities will gather for an afternoon conversation about the trends and challenges that are top of mind for you in today's health arena. This learning and networking opportunity will allow participants to compare notes about interests, solutions being explored and learnings on the ground. It is our belief that fostering this type of dialogue among funders and nonprofit organizations helps strengthen the impact of philanthropy in Maine and can lead to better outcomes.
We will kick off the event with a group of health funders, from Maine and away, sharing what is most on their minds these days and where their current priorities are falling. Then, we will break into a world cafe format for table discussion on a number of potential topics such as healthcare access, oral health, mental health, healthy aging and a culture of health. These events usually sell out so register soon! Learn more and register!
Many Thanks to Our Sponsor:
Defining ROI: From Recognition to Impact
Tuesday, June 16, 8:30 a.m. -12:00noon
Freeport Community Center
53 Depot Street, Freeport
$35 MPC members, $45 Non-member
Gather with your colleagues in corporate and small business for this program about the business of giving. Local and national-profile companies, large and small, will share and discuss their definitions of "Return on Investment." It turns out that this widely used term means very different things to different people. For some it means recognition, for others increased sales and for still others a return in the community.
Karen Voci, Executive Director of the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation will kick off the conversation by sharing how Harvard Pilgrim is thinking about this topic. Reflections will follow from a diverse cross section of business leaders including:
Table conversations will then allow you to explore where your company falls on the return on investment continuum and get ideas from others.
A light breakfast will be served.
This event is intended for business leaders, charitable giving officers and those responsible for making giving and employee engagement decisions.
Make this a "Don't Miss Event" on your calendar!
Learn more and Register
The following MPC members proudly sponsor this program as a value to our corporate colleagues:
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Get On the Map
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Imagine being able to see WHO is funding WHAT and WHERE--ANYWHERE, ANYTIME, with just a few clicks... and the information you get is current, accurate, and deep. Access to accurate, up-to-date grantmaking data is critical to understanding the funding landscape and ensuring that your giving is as effective as it can be. That's what the "Get on the Map" campaign is all about.
MPC Members who have taken the pledge:
 A Kinder World Foundation Betterment Fund Hudson Foundation Emanuel & Pauline A. Lerner Foundation Onion Foundation Maine Community Foundation Maine Health Access Foundation Sam L. Cohen Foundation The Bingham Program TD Charitable Foundation United Way of York County Your organization's name could be on this list - Take the pledge today! Get on the Map May Events:
How Foundant can help you Get on the Map!
Tuesday 5 May 2015, 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM EST
Get on the Map Users Group
Tuesday, May 26
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Maine Health Access Foundation, Augusta or call in
This informal meeting is being offered to help you get started and have an opportunity to compare notes with your peers. Do you have questions about coding? Preparing the grants list? Stories of success with your grants management software? Come share your concerns and successes! We hope you can join us even if you haven't take the pledge yet and are looking for more information.
Register Now!
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Other Programs
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Philanthropy & Social Media
Tuesday, May 5, 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Maine Health Access Foundation, Augusta
The Council on Foundations is sponsoring this conversation about how your foundation can use social media as a tool to connect with your community. Allison Carney, community manager at the council, will lead this exploration of increased transparency, visibility and connection.
Public Forums on the Recommendations of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare TRC
Maine Women's Fund Annual Luncheon
Tuesday, May 19
Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland
The Maine Women's Fund Leadership Luncheon brings together more than 600 business, professional and community-minded people to discuss women's leadership, network and invest in economic security for Maine's women and girls.
The 2015 Leadership Luncheon is SOLD OUT!
MANP Community Catalyst Celebration Thursday, June 11, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn The MANP Community Catalyst Celebration is an opportunity to honor the inspiring work of Maine's nonprofits in communities around the state, and to recognize the extraordinary work of people who have made significant impacts on their communities. This year's Maddy Corson Community Catalyst Award winner is Jim Wellehan. Learn more and register |
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Public Policy Efforts
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MPC Public Policy Survey
The deadline for the Public Policy Survey has been extended to Friday, March 8th. It is important that you take the time to let your voice be heard!
Organization leaders are encouraged to bring this survey to the attention of your board/trustees and seek their input/participation as deemed appropriate.
Click here for the survey
The Proposed Elimination of Charitable Deductions
While eagerly awaiting the recommendations from the Public Policy Task Force that are due out in June, the Maine Philanthropy Center Board of Directors in March felt it important to speak out in opposition to provisions in the Governor's biennial budget that would eliminate or negatively impact charitable tax deductions. A letter, accompanied by a copy of our newly released Maine Individual Giving Report, was sent to all members of the Taxation and Appropriations Committees. We strongly urged the committee members to keep the importance of charitable tax exemptions and philanthropy in mind as budget decisions are being made. Click here to view the full letter.
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MPC Members Take National Lead in Divestment From Fossil Fuels
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Unity College and the Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation lead Maine and the country in joining an international effort to remove investment money from fossils fuels. The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation is the first foundation in Maine to divest from the top 200 fossil fuel companies while Unity College is the nation's first higher education institute to do the same.
For more information, please contact Lissa Widoff, Executive Director of The Robert and Patricia Switzer Foundation at lissa@switzernetwork.org
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Save-the-Date
MPC Invites Funders to a 2015 Funder Forum, October 1
| |  Why wait until the 2016 Philanthropy Partners Conference and Funders Forum to gather with your colleagues in philanthropy? After the 2014 Funders Forum, many of you asked, "Why do we wait two years to get together and dive into issues that are so important to our every day work as funders?" MPC heard that feedback and plans to remedy the situation with a 2015 Funder Forum on October 1. Look to future MPC Grantmaker Member Enews and to mainephilanthropy.org for more information on the program and registration. |
FORUM Network News:
Where Regional Grantmaker Associations Connect | |
The Power of a Network to Amplify Philanthropy's Voice
In a recent post for the Center for Effective Philanthropy, David Biemesderfer , the President of the Forum Board of Directors and leader of the Florida Philanthropic Network, blogs about the Forum, Foundations on The Hill and public policy efforts across the nationwide network.
Program Invitations from Philanthropy West Virginia
Our colleagues from West Virginia have extended an invitation to MPC members to participate in the following programs if interested:
WV Philanthropic Ethics & Leadership Academy a five part series with honorary dean West Virginia University President Emeritus David C. Hardesty, Jr. for Private, Family, Corporate and even Community Foundation Board Members, CEOs, Program Staff, and others. It is a five part series with an In-Person Launch Seminar in June, three webinars over the summer, and a final In-Person Seminar on October 6-7.
Community Foundations Boot Camp will be presented on June 10th by national presenter and community foundation Judy Sjostedt, Executive Director of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation & Regional Affiliates. This one-day program is being held prior to the WV Community Foundations Institute on June 11th. Our neighbors near by and those far away are welcome to join us.
For more information
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