June 2015

In This Issue

Upcoming Program

Charitable Giving Tops Pre-recession Mark

Foundations on the Hill

Youth Philanthropy

Rocky Mountain Tax Seminar

Member News

Stay Connected

Welcome to New and Returning Members

Thornburg Foundation

(Santa Fe, NM)

Lucress Watson and Dick Watson Children's Foundation

(Franklin, TX)

Job Openings

Have a job opening? Please let us know.

2015 Annual Conference

Will we see you in Santa Fe?

Mark your calendars to be with us October 22 - 24, 2015 in Santa Fe for Philanthropy Southwest's 67th Annual Conference. Trustees and staff from grantmaking foundations across the Southwest will come together to reconnect with peers, engage in philanthropic learning, and explore a unique city with old world charm, culture and cuisine.

The current schedule of events, as well as speaker and travel information, is available in the Annual Conference section of our website, which is continuously updated with the latest conference details. Online registration is available now - we look forward to seeing you in New Mexico!

The hotel block at the Eldorado is full. Contact our offices if you need a room and would like to be added to the waiting list. If you have a reservation which you will not need, please contact our staff before cancelling.

Thank you to our Annual Conference Sponsors! Learn how your organization can also sponsor Philanthropy Southwest's 2015 Annual Conference.

Demystifying Financial Statements

And the Form 990

Join us on August 27 in Dallas for "Demystifying Financial Statements and the Form 990" to explore examples of hidden secrets in financial statements and the 990. Don't miss this opportunity for grant officers, trustees and other private foundation staff and trustees to learn how to read financials and tax returns with greater insight.

Also, be sure to visit the Events section of our website often as it is continually updated with the latest educational program offerings.

Charitable Giving in the U.S.

Tops Pre-recession Mark

A new report on Americans' charitable giving shows giving has

surpassed the pre-recession mark.

Giving USA 2015 estimates a record $358.4 billion in charitable giving last year, representing an increase of 7.1% over the previous year. The study reports 2014 as the best year ever for charitable giving, with the recovery period following the 2008 recession being much shorter than the decade-or-more many experts predicted it would take.

New Resource

www.mentalhealthtx.org

May was Mental Health Awareness month and saw the formal launch of www.mentalhealthtx.org, a website designed to be a one-stop shop for Texans seeking mental health information as well as resources. To see more details, please visit the resource section of our website.

On May 2 Philanthropy Southwest was pleased to be a co-sponsor of Youth Philanthropy on the Road that took place in Houston. Philanthropy Southwest considers the development of multi-generational generosity among all families important to our communities and society.

Rocky Mountain Tax Seminar

September 16 - 18, Colorado Springs, CO

Every year, at the historic Broadmoor Hotel and Penrose House, located at the foot of Colorado Springs' Pikes Peak, private foundation managers from across the country gather to advance their understanding of the often complicated world of private foundation tax law.

SHORT TAKES

Member Happenings

Cathy McGonigle, executive vice president of the Flinn Foundation (Phoenix), has announced her retirement, effective June 26, prompting three additional leadership changes. Brad Halvorsen has been named the Foundation's new executive vice president, and Matt Ellsworth will fill Mr. Halvorsen's position as vice president, communications. Anne Lassen has been hired from the University of Arizona to serve as assistant vice president, Flinn Scholars Program.

Bao-Long Chu and Tonyel Simon have joined Houston Endowment as program officers. Mr. Chu comes to Houston Endowment with an extensive background in literacy, arts and community engagement. He most recently served as associate director of Writer in the Schools. Ms. Simon joins Houston Endowment from DiscoverU where she served as executive director.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation (El Paso) has elected Carolyn Mora as their new board chair. She is joined by Jose Prieto, M.D. as vice-chair and chair elect, as well as four new members: Guadalupe "Pita" de la Vega, Bruce Esterline, Marina Monsisvais and Lisa Saenz.

Foundation News

The Episcopal Health Foundation (Houston) has approved $2.9 million to benefit 15 new grant partners, bringing the Foundation's total grants for 2015 to $5.3 million. This is the second group of grants to be awarded under the Foundation's strategic plan to transform the people, institutions and places across 57 Texas counties to create healthy communities for everyone.

In June, the St. David's Foundation (Austin) announced grants totaling more than $26 million being awarded to over 35 area nonprofits. "With this precedent-setting amount, St. David's is investing significant funds in addressing some of the most pressing health care needs in our community," stated Earl Maxwell, CEO.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation has awarded five grants totaling more than $3.2 million to reduce smoking rates among intermittent smokers, pregnant women, people living with small children, and those who lack the resources to provide for their own well-being.

To read more member news continuously added to our website, click here.

UPCOMING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Don't forget to visit Philanthropy Southwest's upcoming events listing.

About Us

Philanthropy Southwest actively promotes opportunities to exchange ideas, build relationships and advance philanthropic excellence. Founded in 1949, Philanthropy Southwest is the most enduring association of grantmakers in the United States, providing timely information and connecting colleagues across the region to help them thrive and succeed in their work. Philanthropy Southwest connects trustees and staff with foundations in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming environment with members who generously help other members, working together toward a better future.

For more information, visit www.philanthropysouthwest.org

Philanthropy Southwest | 214.740.1787 | adrienne@philanthropysouthwest.org

624 N. Good Latimer Expressway | Suite 100 | Dallas, TX 75204