EPIP UPDATE
The Quarterly E-Newsletter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy
Winter 2004
In This Issue:
1. News from the Chapters
2. Networking at Conferences
3. New Knowledge Resources
1. NEWS FROM THE CHAPTERS
New DC Chapter Draws Large Crowd to first Meeting
This Monday, Feb 9, I joined EPIP Board member George Walker in Washington at a "listening meeting" that marks the first public event of the DC EPIP Chapter. The meeting was attended by over forty young diverse young people engaged in grantmaking, philanthropy support organizations, nonprofits, graduate studies, and as donors. Hosted by the Aspen Institute, the meeting attracted folks from across DC as well as a number from Baltimore, and featured interactive icebreakers, small-group brainstorming sessions, and plenty of door-prizes. The group shared stories, ideas, frustrations and inspirations about working in philanthropy. They asked tough questions about their own roles and the problems and potential of our sector. Already in the works are an official DC EPIP Launch Event on the evening of March 25, and a Happy Hour event on April 22. Thanks to the DC EPIP organizing committee for their great work. For a list of committee members and more information, see the DC EPIP page of the EPIP website.
EPIP Wins Midwest Primary -- Chicago Votes for EPIP
Chicago's "Peer Network of New Grantmakers" - a part of the Donors Forum of Chicago voted to affiliate with EPIP as the Chicago EPIP Chapter. The vote, which took place on Thursday, Feb. 5, is one of numerous signs of interest in EPIP across the Midwest U.S. in areas such as Cincinnati, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Indianapolis and Michigan. While every EPIP chapter works in close partnership with its respective regional association of grantmakers, this affiliation from a pre-existing local group is a first within the network; we now have to work out details with the Donors Forum -- but we are excited to have an official group in the Midwest.
Philanthropology Workshops
The New York City and Bay Area chapters of EPIP will hold Philanthropology workshops during Spring 2004. These workshops are part of the Philanthropology Project, EPIP's signature effort to provide constituents with peer-based educational tools about foundation work and the field of philanthropy. Our goal is to model these workshops and other programs across our chapter network, so that eventually a diverse set of written and face-to-face Philanthropology resources are available to all EPIP constituents to help them excel in their efforts to advance effective social justice philanthropy.
2. NETWORKING AT CONFERENCES
EPIP Presents at North Carolina Grantmakers Conference
On Thursday Feb 19, I sat on a panel discussion of emerging grantmakers at the conference of the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers in Greensboro, NC. The well-attended session presented the viewpoints of, and resources available to, young people working in philanthropy both regionally and nationally. Organized by EPIP Board member Melissa Johnson, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, and Natasha Nimmons, Winston-Salem Foundation, the panel was moderated by Athan Lindsey of the Warner Foundation. It also featured speakers Courtney Young, who works on Southeastern outreach for Resource Generation, Eric Johnson, a Fellow at the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, and Keri Muuss, who works in donor services at the Winston-Salem Foundation. Participating in the day-long conference enabled EPIP to do state-wide outreach all in one place. The following day, I had dinner with staff and board members of the young nonprofit professionals network of North Carolina to discuss the potential for partnerships between our networks.
EPIP and Partners hold Reception at COF Family Foundation Meeting in NYC
I joined a good number of EPIP members and leaders at a lively reception held on Sun, Feb 8 at the COF Conference for Family Foundations. The reception, which drew a great inter-generational crowd, featured refreshments and lots of networking. The event was co-sponsored by EPIP, Resource Generation, Third Wave Foundation, Changemakers, 2164 - a Division of Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies, and Younger Funders group of the Jewish Funders Network. Resource Generation and the Bronfman foundation also organized a full-day Next Generation Retreat and other activities for young people with wealth at the conference.
Think Regionally, Outreach Nationally -- EPIP at Conference of Regional Associations
I recently attended the annual meeting of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. Held Feb 4-6 in Washington, DC, this year's conference brought together staff and board members of the 29 regional associations across the U.S., along with staff from 41 local "New Ventures in Philanthropy" coalitions and other colleague organizations in the field (like... EPIP!). Also present at the conference was EPIP board member Melissa Johnson, and Forum staff Danielle Hicks and Jessica Bearman, who are both members of the DC EPIP Organizing Committee. EPIP held a breakfast roundtable as well as dinner at a nearby restaurant. Overall, participating in the meeting enabled us to build a national presence with all the regional associations of grantmakers, who are key partners in developing the EPIP chapter network across the country. The New Ventures groups have been supported by a Forum grantmaking initiative to promote new philanthropy in communities of color, rural areas, the newly wealthy, etc. Click here for more on New Ventures in Philanthropy.
3. NEW KNOWLEDGE RESOURCES
Community-Based Philanthropy
At the Family Foundation Conference mentioned above, the Changemakers Fund brought together conferees to brainstorm ways to promote community-based grantmaking. Community-based grantmaking empowers activists from a foundation's grantee community to have a formal role in the foundation's grantmaking and governance. EPIP Board members Laura Loescher of Changemakers and Alison Goldberg of Resource Generation, who co-led the conversation, distributed a new report on the subject, "Community-Based Public Foundations: Small Beacons for Big Ideas" just published by the National Committee on Responsive Philanthropy.
The Disconnect between College Seniors, Career Centers & Nonprofit Organizations
A new study from New York University looks at the missed connections among nonprofit organizations, college seniors and campus offices of career service. "For too many young people interested in nonprofit sector work, the conduit to get them there is missing. On college campuses, graduating students are not finding the resources they need to connect to the public service careers they desire. And at small and mid-size nonprofit organizations in particular, already over-taxed staff are struggling to find ways to recruit and retain the most talented workforce possible. Click here for a PDF copy of Recruiting and Retaining the Next Generation of Nonprofit Sector Leadership
New Evaluation Report on Youth Activism as Youth Development
A new evaluate report presents findings from the Youth Leadership Development Initiative, a 3-year youth activism grants and learning initiative funded by the Ford Foundation. The 2-part report looks at how civic activism can be an effective approach for reaching disenfranchised youth who are not engaged in conventional youth development programs. Click here to view a PDF of the Executive Summary of Lessons in Leadership: How Young People Change Their Communities and Themselves. The full 2-part report is $14 and can be purchased by contacting the Innovation Center for Community & Youth Development: telephone (301) 270-1700 or email info@theinnovationcenter.org.
Monday, February 23, 2004
Friday, January 30, 2004
The 2004 EPIP Board
Today the EPIP Board of Advisors held an orientation for four new members. The 2004 Board is as follows:
Kisha Bird, The Philadelphia Foundation (Philadelphia, PA)
Rohit Burman, JP Morgan Private Bank Global Foundations Group (New York, NY)
Dolores Estrada, The California Endowment (Los Angeles, CA)
Sonya Garcia, Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (Denver, CO)
Alison Goldberg, Resource Generation (Cambridge, MA)
Melissa Johnson, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (Greensboro, NC)
Laura Loescher, Changemakers (San Francisco, CA)
Eleni Sotos, Jenifer Altman Fund (San Francisco, CA)
Rusty Stahl, EPIP (ex officio) (New York, NY)
George Walker, Center for Community Change (Washington, DC)
Chapter Information Now Featured at Epip.org
New at our website: Epip.org now features pages for each local EPIP chapter. They are informative and fun to use! Just go to http://www.epip.org/networking.htm, and click on your local chapter to find out basic information, upcoming events, and to see a list of steering committee members.
Yours,
Rusty
Today the EPIP Board of Advisors held an orientation for four new members. The 2004 Board is as follows:
Kisha Bird, The Philadelphia Foundation (Philadelphia, PA)
Rohit Burman, JP Morgan Private Bank Global Foundations Group (New York, NY)
Dolores Estrada, The California Endowment (Los Angeles, CA)
Sonya Garcia, Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (Denver, CO)
Alison Goldberg, Resource Generation (Cambridge, MA)
Melissa Johnson, Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro (Greensboro, NC)
Laura Loescher, Changemakers (San Francisco, CA)
Eleni Sotos, Jenifer Altman Fund (San Francisco, CA)
Rusty Stahl, EPIP (ex officio) (New York, NY)
George Walker, Center for Community Change (Washington, DC)
Chapter Information Now Featured at Epip.org
New at our website: Epip.org now features pages for each local EPIP chapter. They are informative and fun to use! Just go to http://www.epip.org/networking.htm, and click on your local chapter to find out basic information, upcoming events, and to see a list of steering committee members.
Yours,
Rusty
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
A Week in the Life of EPIP
Last week was busy and productive all across the EPIP network. Here’s a snapshot of what happened…
On Wednesday, January 14, approximately sixteen members of Los Angeles EPIP met to unanimously approve a paper outlining a structure for chapter governance and programming. They made initial plans for a program this in spring, discussed how social justice themes can be integrated into the chapter’s work, and shared information about upcoming conferences and meetings.
The next day, a snow-filled Thursday morning, EPIP New York City held a breakfast concluding the six-month pilot phase of the chapter’s Mentoring Program. Due to the weather, not all eight pairs of mentors and mentees were in attendance, but there was still a good-sized crowd. The Mentoring Committee, which planned and ran the program, solicited evaluation and feedback from mentors and mentees. It quickly became clear that all participants found value in the program, particularly in learning about other types of foundations. The group concluded that they will implement another six-month round of pairing, and continue to support pairs from the pilot round, if they wish to continue.
At lunchtime on Thursday, The Philadelphia Foundation (TPF), in partnership with Delaware Valley Grantmakers (DVG), hosted an EPIP luncheon meeting attended by twenty-five new and young local foundation staffers. This was the fourth Philadelphia EPIP exploratory meeting, and participants showed great enthusiasm to start local brown bag discussions, workshops, and mentoring opportunities. TPF has enabled EPIP Board member Kisha Bird, a Program Officer there, to use staff time to coordinate local activities, and Kisha has been invited to join DVG’s annual conference committee.
At the same time on Thursday afternoon, members of the local EPIP organizing committee and others met in Washington, DC over lunch at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. The meeting focused on formalizing the committee, which is now ten people strong. Participants committed to various roles and tasks within the committee, and began planning an event to reach out to more colleagues in the DC area, in order to officially launch the chapter.
And so grows the movement to organize the next generation of grantmakers…
Yours,
Rusty
Last week was busy and productive all across the EPIP network. Here’s a snapshot of what happened…
On Wednesday, January 14, approximately sixteen members of Los Angeles EPIP met to unanimously approve a paper outlining a structure for chapter governance and programming. They made initial plans for a program this in spring, discussed how social justice themes can be integrated into the chapter’s work, and shared information about upcoming conferences and meetings.
The next day, a snow-filled Thursday morning, EPIP New York City held a breakfast concluding the six-month pilot phase of the chapter’s Mentoring Program. Due to the weather, not all eight pairs of mentors and mentees were in attendance, but there was still a good-sized crowd. The Mentoring Committee, which planned and ran the program, solicited evaluation and feedback from mentors and mentees. It quickly became clear that all participants found value in the program, particularly in learning about other types of foundations. The group concluded that they will implement another six-month round of pairing, and continue to support pairs from the pilot round, if they wish to continue.
At lunchtime on Thursday, The Philadelphia Foundation (TPF), in partnership with Delaware Valley Grantmakers (DVG), hosted an EPIP luncheon meeting attended by twenty-five new and young local foundation staffers. This was the fourth Philadelphia EPIP exploratory meeting, and participants showed great enthusiasm to start local brown bag discussions, workshops, and mentoring opportunities. TPF has enabled EPIP Board member Kisha Bird, a Program Officer there, to use staff time to coordinate local activities, and Kisha has been invited to join DVG’s annual conference committee.
At the same time on Thursday afternoon, members of the local EPIP organizing committee and others met in Washington, DC over lunch at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. The meeting focused on formalizing the committee, which is now ten people strong. Participants committed to various roles and tasks within the committee, and began planning an event to reach out to more colleagues in the DC area, in order to officially launch the chapter.
And so grows the movement to organize the next generation of grantmakers…
Yours,
Rusty
Friday, December 12, 2003
So what's new?...
New Members of the EPIP Board of Advisors. I am proud to announce that the following individuals will join EPIP's national governance body in 2004:
Rohit Burman, J.P. Morgan Global Foundations Group
Dolores Estrada, The California Endowment
Sonya Garcia, Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training
Melissa Johnson, The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
In addition, we are excited to welcome to the Program Committee of the Board of Advisors the following:
K. Emerson Beyer, GrantCraft, A Project of the Ford Foundation
Milano Harden, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Danielle Hicks, New Ventures in Philanthropy, A Project of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
These individuals exemplify the diverse individuals, foundations and partner organizations that are creating the EPIP network. They are all committed to strengthening the next generation of grantmakers, and advancing effective social justice philanthropy. Congratulations to all!
Networking Highlight of the Day - The KnowledgeWorks Foundation. This Wednesday I had a great conference call with about five EPIP constituents at the KnowledgeWorks Foundation . I will just call it KWF. KWF is a "conversion foundation." Like the healthcare conversion foundations (California Wellness Foundation, Healthcare Georgia Foundation, etc.), it was created when a non-profit became a for-profit, and had to get rid of its tax exempt assets, thus creating a foundation to carry on its nonprofit mission. In the case of KWF, however, it was not a healthcare entity, but a student loan provider. So the foundation is focused on education. On top of that, it is an operating foundation - it uses its assets not to give grants, but to do research and operate programs of its own. There are not many of these kinds of foundations either. KWF is a rarity all around. The staff are generally new to the field, and working on some innovative approaches to things. One is really interested in foundations and public policy. Another is pondering how their foundation can explain itself to its community and the public. And yet another is curious about how EPIP and others define "social justice philanthropy," and why it seems like a great idea to some in the field, and an anathema to others. And they are all looking to gain stronger connections in the foundation community, and with colleagues across the Midwest.
Regional EPIP Networks. In fact, my phone call with KnowledgeWorks was part of an upcoming effort in 2004 to explore the possibilities of an EPIP regional network across the Midwest -- to help bridge EPIP constituents in Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Flint, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Chicago, amongst other places. We will also be exploring such options in the Southeastern region, where we have constituents in disparate areas such as Durham, Greensboro, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Knoxville.
Workshop at COF Annual Conference 2004. For another taste of what is coming in 2004, I will tell you about an upcoming workshop. For those of you planning to attend the next Council on Foundations annual conference (in Toronto!), EPIP is working with the GrantCraft Project on a highly interactive and exciting workshop. The session is titled "The Power to be Authentic: Leadership Development at Work in Foundations." Here's our description... How do emerging grantmakers get supportive, learning experiences from their foundations? How do established leaders support, mentor and develop the staff working at their organizations? This workshop will bring together senior foundation leaders, program staff and emerging practitioners to explore the challenges of taking up their roles, and engaging in mutual support. The session will help participants, who are often caught in the middle of competing demands, to be as authentic as possible (or simply live with themselves) in negotiating the dynamics of life in their organizations. Participants will get to engage with one another with regard to these issues, and be introduced to networking resources and concrete tools.
That is all for now. Over and out,
Rusty
New Members of the EPIP Board of Advisors. I am proud to announce that the following individuals will join EPIP's national governance body in 2004:
Rohit Burman, J.P. Morgan Global Foundations Group
Dolores Estrada, The California Endowment
Sonya Garcia, Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training
Melissa Johnson, The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro
In addition, we are excited to welcome to the Program Committee of the Board of Advisors the following:
K. Emerson Beyer, GrantCraft, A Project of the Ford Foundation
Milano Harden, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Danielle Hicks, New Ventures in Philanthropy, A Project of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
These individuals exemplify the diverse individuals, foundations and partner organizations that are creating the EPIP network. They are all committed to strengthening the next generation of grantmakers, and advancing effective social justice philanthropy. Congratulations to all!
Networking Highlight of the Day - The KnowledgeWorks Foundation. This Wednesday I had a great conference call with about five EPIP constituents at the KnowledgeWorks Foundation . I will just call it KWF. KWF is a "conversion foundation." Like the healthcare conversion foundations (California Wellness Foundation, Healthcare Georgia Foundation, etc.), it was created when a non-profit became a for-profit, and had to get rid of its tax exempt assets, thus creating a foundation to carry on its nonprofit mission. In the case of KWF, however, it was not a healthcare entity, but a student loan provider. So the foundation is focused on education. On top of that, it is an operating foundation - it uses its assets not to give grants, but to do research and operate programs of its own. There are not many of these kinds of foundations either. KWF is a rarity all around. The staff are generally new to the field, and working on some innovative approaches to things. One is really interested in foundations and public policy. Another is pondering how their foundation can explain itself to its community and the public. And yet another is curious about how EPIP and others define "social justice philanthropy," and why it seems like a great idea to some in the field, and an anathema to others. And they are all looking to gain stronger connections in the foundation community, and with colleagues across the Midwest.
Regional EPIP Networks. In fact, my phone call with KnowledgeWorks was part of an upcoming effort in 2004 to explore the possibilities of an EPIP regional network across the Midwest -- to help bridge EPIP constituents in Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Flint, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Chicago, amongst other places. We will also be exploring such options in the Southeastern region, where we have constituents in disparate areas such as Durham, Greensboro, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Knoxville.
Workshop at COF Annual Conference 2004. For another taste of what is coming in 2004, I will tell you about an upcoming workshop. For those of you planning to attend the next Council on Foundations annual conference (in Toronto!), EPIP is working with the GrantCraft Project on a highly interactive and exciting workshop. The session is titled "The Power to be Authentic: Leadership Development at Work in Foundations." Here's our description... How do emerging grantmakers get supportive, learning experiences from their foundations? How do established leaders support, mentor and develop the staff working at their organizations? This workshop will bring together senior foundation leaders, program staff and emerging practitioners to explore the challenges of taking up their roles, and engaging in mutual support. The session will help participants, who are often caught in the middle of competing demands, to be as authentic as possible (or simply live with themselves) in negotiating the dynamics of life in their organizations. Participants will get to engage with one another with regard to these issues, and be introduced to networking resources and concrete tools.
That is all for now. Over and out,
Rusty
Friday, December 05, 2003
Ford Foundation to Maintain Major Support for the EPIP Network.
We received confirmation today from the Ford Foundation that a grant has been approved to the New World Foundation for $150,000 over two years to support the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. New World is our fiscal sponsor and provides pro-bono office space. Thanks to the staff in the Community Philanthropy and Civic Culture program at Ford for their continuing support of this growing network.
New at EPIP.org - Chapter Pages.
Check out the new pages now live at http://epip.org/networking.htm. Each EPIP chapter now has a page of its own, providing some basic info and listing its leadership. The chapter pages will allow each local network to present information about its goals and programs! This has been too long in coming.
Networking Highlight of the Day - Alabama Giving.
I talked for the first time with Beth Dennis of Alabama Giving (www.alabamagiving.org), told her about the EPIP network, and how we are trying to increase our presence and services in the Southeastern part of the country. She was excited about finding ways to get involved. Alabama Giving is a four-year program to increase, promote and encourage philanthropy statewide. It is one of many local and regional coalitions intent on increasing and improving philanthropy in their communities, all funded by a special initiative called New Ventures in Philanthropy, which is in turn a program of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. To see a list of all the New Ventures groups, check out http://givingforum.org/about/ventures_community_grantees.html.
Shwewww. There are so many things going on at the local, national and international levels in this field that it is hard to keep up. Plus we had a snow storm in New York City today, which makes it hard to concentrate and stay warm...
Have a great weekend everybody!
Rusty
We received confirmation today from the Ford Foundation that a grant has been approved to the New World Foundation for $150,000 over two years to support the Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. New World is our fiscal sponsor and provides pro-bono office space. Thanks to the staff in the Community Philanthropy and Civic Culture program at Ford for their continuing support of this growing network.
New at EPIP.org - Chapter Pages.
Check out the new pages now live at http://epip.org/networking.htm. Each EPIP chapter now has a page of its own, providing some basic info and listing its leadership. The chapter pages will allow each local network to present information about its goals and programs! This has been too long in coming.
Networking Highlight of the Day - Alabama Giving.
I talked for the first time with Beth Dennis of Alabama Giving (www.alabamagiving.org), told her about the EPIP network, and how we are trying to increase our presence and services in the Southeastern part of the country. She was excited about finding ways to get involved. Alabama Giving is a four-year program to increase, promote and encourage philanthropy statewide. It is one of many local and regional coalitions intent on increasing and improving philanthropy in their communities, all funded by a special initiative called New Ventures in Philanthropy, which is in turn a program of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. To see a list of all the New Ventures groups, check out http://givingforum.org/about/ventures_community_grantees.html.
Shwewww. There are so many things going on at the local, national and international levels in this field that it is hard to keep up. Plus we had a snow storm in New York City today, which makes it hard to concentrate and stay warm...
Have a great weekend everybody!
Rusty
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Today I am working on a workshop that EPIP will be presenting with GrantCraft, a project of the Ford Foundation (www.grantcraft.org) during the Council on Foundations annual meeting in April 04.
The workshop is dubbed "The Power To Be Authentic: Leadership Development at Work in Foundations." Emerson Beyer, who works at GrantCraft, and I have been planning the session to be highly experiential, using a case study and role play amongst participants. If you are an EPIP member and plan to attend the Toronto conference, let me know -- we will need some volunteers! Here's the workshop description:
The Power To Be Authentic: Leadership Development at Work in Foundations
How do emerging philanthropic leaders experience foundations and grantmaking? How do established leaders respond to their needs? This workshop, presented by the GrantCraft (a project of the Ford Foundation) and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, will bring together senior foundation leaders, program staff and emerging practitioners to explore the challenges of taking up their roles. This session will help participants, who are often caught in the middle of competing demands, to be as authentic as possible (or simply live with themselves) in negotiating the dynamics of life in their organizations. Participants will get to discuss these issues with one another, and be introduced to concrete tools for making use of their experiences and drawing lessons that they can share.
Rusty
The workshop is dubbed "The Power To Be Authentic: Leadership Development at Work in Foundations." Emerson Beyer, who works at GrantCraft, and I have been planning the session to be highly experiential, using a case study and role play amongst participants. If you are an EPIP member and plan to attend the Toronto conference, let me know -- we will need some volunteers! Here's the workshop description:
The Power To Be Authentic: Leadership Development at Work in Foundations
How do emerging philanthropic leaders experience foundations and grantmaking? How do established leaders respond to their needs? This workshop, presented by the GrantCraft (a project of the Ford Foundation) and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, will bring together senior foundation leaders, program staff and emerging practitioners to explore the challenges of taking up their roles. This session will help participants, who are often caught in the middle of competing demands, to be as authentic as possible (or simply live with themselves) in negotiating the dynamics of life in their organizations. Participants will get to discuss these issues with one another, and be introduced to concrete tools for making use of their experiences and drawing lessons that they can share.
Rusty
Monday, December 01, 2003
Thanksgiving vacation was good. Now it's back to the daily EPIP grind!
On returning to the office this morning today, I found two new memberships in the mail, from staff at the California Wellness Foundation and the Southern Californa Association for Philanthropy. Thanks, guys. It always feels great to get new members.
Later today I had a good talk with Marcelle Good from the Appalachian Community Fund (ACF). We talked about how EPIP could build a helpful regional network in the Southeastern US, and also about generational issues in progressive philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. We also talked about the different models of philanthropy, and how much they involve donors, grantee leaders and others in decision making. ACF is a member-institution in the Funding Exchange, a network of local public foundations that empower their grantee community to make grantmaking decisions alongside or in place of traditional donors. I told her that I hope EPIP can work with others in the field to develop case studies about these and other models, to help EPIP members think about how they could make innovative structural changes that fit the needs and missions of their own foundations.
Now I am off to sit in on a class at the New School University, a course about nonprofit advocacy. Today's session is about the role of funding -- and it should be fascinating to this philanthropy nerd.
Goodnight.
Rusty
On returning to the office this morning today, I found two new memberships in the mail, from staff at the California Wellness Foundation and the Southern Californa Association for Philanthropy. Thanks, guys. It always feels great to get new members.
Later today I had a good talk with Marcelle Good from the Appalachian Community Fund (ACF). We talked about how EPIP could build a helpful regional network in the Southeastern US, and also about generational issues in progressive philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. We also talked about the different models of philanthropy, and how much they involve donors, grantee leaders and others in decision making. ACF is a member-institution in the Funding Exchange, a network of local public foundations that empower their grantee community to make grantmaking decisions alongside or in place of traditional donors. I told her that I hope EPIP can work with others in the field to develop case studies about these and other models, to help EPIP members think about how they could make innovative structural changes that fit the needs and missions of their own foundations.
Now I am off to sit in on a class at the New School University, a course about nonprofit advocacy. Today's session is about the role of funding -- and it should be fascinating to this philanthropy nerd.
Goodnight.
Rusty
Friday, October 31, 2003
Rockin with the Rockefellas
So, now I am up at the Pocantico, the conference center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Myself and three others have been preparing all afternoon for a weekend mini-conference about inter-generational learning amongst social justice activists. I don't know most of the people who are coming, so I feel like anything can happen. It is nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. The facilitators are top notch, so I have confidence that we will not go off-track. EPIP is co-sponsoring this meeting with LISTEN Inc., a group that supports urban youth leadership efforts. At least from the EPIP perspective, this meeting is part of our efforts to increase support for young people in each generation who seek out meaningful social change careers.
Drinks and dinner start in 1/2 hour, and I am need a little nap beforehand. Talk to you later,
Rusty
So, now I am up at the Pocantico, the conference center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Myself and three others have been preparing all afternoon for a weekend mini-conference about inter-generational learning amongst social justice activists. I don't know most of the people who are coming, so I feel like anything can happen. It is nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. The facilitators are top notch, so I have confidence that we will not go off-track. EPIP is co-sponsoring this meeting with LISTEN Inc., a group that supports urban youth leadership efforts. At least from the EPIP perspective, this meeting is part of our efforts to increase support for young people in each generation who seek out meaningful social change careers.
Drinks and dinner start in 1/2 hour, and I am need a little nap beforehand. Talk to you later,
Rusty
Philanthropy in The Northeast Cooridor...
It's been a whirlwind week. Sunday through Tuesday in the Nation's Capitol saw lunch with the local EPIP leadership at Kramer's Books and Cafe. While the service left something to be desired, the food was good, and the content we delivered was great. We talked about what the nacent chapter has done, and what it can look forward to doing in the coming year. After that I met with George Walker, member of the EPIP Board of Advisors, at his office at the Center for Community Change. Then it was on to Georgetown, where I sat in on a graduate class on the history of philanthropy. It just so happened that the professor used the session to talk about what foundation professionals experience (he has been in both the academy and philanthropy for some time), so I shared a bit about my experience working at the Ford Foundation, as well as my work in establishing EPIP.
From DC it was off to Baltimore for the annual conference of community foundations. Here I helped to put on an seafood dinner at the Rusty Scupper (no relation to yours truly -- truly!) for EPIP folks. We had 14 people, a good mix of our current leaders and new folks who are not in our mix yet. We even had our own Rusty Scupper van pick us up and drop us off at the hotel! Much fun. The next morning, bright and early, we held a roundtable to provide a more substantive discussion about the interests and needs of people in our network. About 9 people came - some who came to the dinner, others who did not. They gave me constructive criticism about what we have and have not been doing, and brainstormed some great new ideas. I know it was helpful for me, and I think it was for the other participants.
While I was in Baltimore, I also swung by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and met with some of their Program Assistants. An interesting group of folks there, who work on the Making Connections initiative (they are each assigned to one or two cities where they spend a great deal of time helping to
"make connections" for community development). I learned a lot about the Foundation (and its beautifully sunlit, open offices) and met some great people.
Big thanks to Wanda Jenkins from the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley for helping to put together the dinner, and thanks to everyone who participated in these activities!
On my way back to New York, I stopped in Philadelphia to see family. My niece is really growing up (she's almost 3 years old) and, if I may say so myself, she is beautiful, creative and smart as a whip.
It's been a whirlwind week. Sunday through Tuesday in the Nation's Capitol saw lunch with the local EPIP leadership at Kramer's Books and Cafe. While the service left something to be desired, the food was good, and the content we delivered was great. We talked about what the nacent chapter has done, and what it can look forward to doing in the coming year. After that I met with George Walker, member of the EPIP Board of Advisors, at his office at the Center for Community Change. Then it was on to Georgetown, where I sat in on a graduate class on the history of philanthropy. It just so happened that the professor used the session to talk about what foundation professionals experience (he has been in both the academy and philanthropy for some time), so I shared a bit about my experience working at the Ford Foundation, as well as my work in establishing EPIP.
From DC it was off to Baltimore for the annual conference of community foundations. Here I helped to put on an seafood dinner at the Rusty Scupper (no relation to yours truly -- truly!) for EPIP folks. We had 14 people, a good mix of our current leaders and new folks who are not in our mix yet. We even had our own Rusty Scupper van pick us up and drop us off at the hotel! Much fun. The next morning, bright and early, we held a roundtable to provide a more substantive discussion about the interests and needs of people in our network. About 9 people came - some who came to the dinner, others who did not. They gave me constructive criticism about what we have and have not been doing, and brainstormed some great new ideas. I know it was helpful for me, and I think it was for the other participants.
While I was in Baltimore, I also swung by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and met with some of their Program Assistants. An interesting group of folks there, who work on the Making Connections initiative (they are each assigned to one or two cities where they spend a great deal of time helping to
"make connections" for community development). I learned a lot about the Foundation (and its beautifully sunlit, open offices) and met some great people.
Big thanks to Wanda Jenkins from the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley for helping to put together the dinner, and thanks to everyone who participated in these activities!
On my way back to New York, I stopped in Philadelphia to see family. My niece is really growing up (she's almost 3 years old) and, if I may say so myself, she is beautiful, creative and smart as a whip.
Friday, October 24, 2003
A Philanthropic Journey Across the US
I am preparing to go on a big journey, a sort of road trip (by air) across the philanthropic U.S. I'm headed to Washington DC first, to meet up with a professor who teaches the history of philanthropy at Georgetown. I am gonna sit in on his class - I hope its full of gossip and juicy factoids. Then I'll meet up with EPIP leaders in the DC area for lunch. Nice folks, and we are headed to Kramer's on Dupont Circle, one of my favorite restaurants in that city.
Then I head to Baltimore for the Fall Conference on Community Foundations. I went to this conference for the first time last year, and it was interesting to learn about how much the community foundations struggle with issues of diversity (in terms of staff, trustees, who gets funding, and who they fundraise from). It was pretty eye-opening.
Then, on my way back up the Northeast Cooridor, I get to go home to Philadelphia for a few days, to see my little niece and the rest of my family, which I am really looking forward to. Then I get back to NYC. But I barely get to rest -- that is just the beginning of a three-week journey! I feel kinda like Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit when he is about to leave the Shire for the first time on his big journey...
I will try to keep you updated on this trip.
Rusty
I am preparing to go on a big journey, a sort of road trip (by air) across the philanthropic U.S. I'm headed to Washington DC first, to meet up with a professor who teaches the history of philanthropy at Georgetown. I am gonna sit in on his class - I hope its full of gossip and juicy factoids. Then I'll meet up with EPIP leaders in the DC area for lunch. Nice folks, and we are headed to Kramer's on Dupont Circle, one of my favorite restaurants in that city.
Then I head to Baltimore for the Fall Conference on Community Foundations. I went to this conference for the first time last year, and it was interesting to learn about how much the community foundations struggle with issues of diversity (in terms of staff, trustees, who gets funding, and who they fundraise from). It was pretty eye-opening.
Then, on my way back up the Northeast Cooridor, I get to go home to Philadelphia for a few days, to see my little niece and the rest of my family, which I am really looking forward to. Then I get back to NYC. But I barely get to rest -- that is just the beginning of a three-week journey! I feel kinda like Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit when he is about to leave the Shire for the first time on his big journey...
I will try to keep you updated on this trip.
Rusty
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
EPIP is Getting Blogged Down
Today I started this blog to share thoughts as I work with many great folks to build Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP). I hope this journal will allow members, friends, and visitors to our website, EPIP.org, to understand better our goals and efforts. I'm psyched!
- Rusty
Today I started this blog to share thoughts as I work with many great folks to build Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP). I hope this journal will allow members, friends, and visitors to our website, EPIP.org, to understand better our goals and efforts. I'm psyched!
- Rusty
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