Philanthropy Information

Dr. Sherece West is president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation in Little Rock, Arkansas. She will be participating in a panel discussion on philanthropic leadership at the SECF Annual Meeting in November.

I recently read a blog post from Pablo Eisenberg entitled, “The Social Innovation Fund: Innovation for What?” In it, Mr. Eisenberg criticized the Obama Administration’s Social Innovation Fund for focusing too small an investment on only a few large, well-known nonprofits and engaging only a small number of very large foundation supporters.

In particular, Mr. Eisenberg points to rural communities that will essentially be left out of the game, and notes an opportunity for innovation that the fund will certainly miss:

Thousands of small nonprofits in rural areas and in regions currently underfunded by philanthropy are in desperate need of financial support. To meet this need, the Administration could use the Presidential bully pulpit to urge the foundation community to create new, large rural and regional foundations with the capacity to reach out to these overlooked nonprofit organizations and their communities.

Working in Arkansas, a predominantly rural state, I completely agree with Mr. Eisenberg’s criticism of the Social Innovation Fund and about missed opportunities in rural philanthropy, and I hope he’ll speak more to that during his live debate at the SECF Annual Meeting. But I also think that those of us who live in rural states bear our share of the responsibility for changing the game. Before we create “new, large rural and regional foundations,” those of us who are already working in rural areas need to ask ourselves some serious questions:

• What are we going to do to make rural America a priority for national funders and the federal government?

• What are we going to do to attract public resources to leverage our grantmaking and make scalable best practices?

• What are we going to do to influence public policy decisions?

• What are we going to do with our limited resources to be part of the solution as opposed to continuing to perpetuate the problems through grantmaking practices and approaches?

I can think of three things.

First, we can become advocates.  We can help policymakers in Washington correct their misconceptions of rural America as an agrarian Utopia and help them see the true challenges of joblessness, poverty and out-migration that rural communities face. We can inform the process of advocating federal dollars so that rural localities could collaborate on initiatives that would benefit broader regions. We can go to the Hill and talk with our congressional leaders about funding formulas. We can support research that informs the policy debate. We can bring in technical experts to help us consider the best short?term and long?term approaches. We can use our convening power to spur conversation and educate policymakers and advocates about what is best for our rural communities.

Second, we can be activists. Philanthropy is sometimes called the research and development arm of society. At our best, we can use our unique role to identify and understand the dimensions of deeply rooted social problems, test strategies to address them, and serve as a catalyst for change. The creation of new economies in rural areas with livable wage jobs; building the capacity of our nonprofit infrastructure to play its vital role in rural society; and bringing to scale the outstanding work of many of our nonprofits to provide services and supports to rural citizens — all of these are more likely to happen with activism. I know that “activism” is a scary word to most funders, but we need to get over our fear and begin collecting good data, educating our constituencies to develop community change goals and actively influencing how resources are attracted to and used within our communities.

And finally, we can be accelerants, the catalysts for change that light a fire under rural grantmaking. Nationally, more needs to be done to grow the capacity of our vitally important community foundations in rural areas and the affiliate structures in those areas with affiliates. But community philanthropy must include those who live and work in rural communities as part of the solution and not simply as the recipients of benevolent gifts. Foundations and communities must join together in collective or collaborative strategies for community change.

Yes, Mr. Eisenberg is right. Rural America deserves philanthropy’s attention. But it’s up to us to make sure we get it.

Reason #10 – November’s not really that far away.

Even though summer’s just begun, we’ll all only get busier as the year goes on. Don’t let the Southeast’s premier event for grantmakers get lost in the shuffle. Register now to secure your spot and check it off your list.

Reason #9 – The “Clash of the Titans” is for real.

Right now, there are two strong opinions in our sector about what foundations could and should be doing. How that conversation develops will doubtlessly influence how federal and state policies about philanthropy are shaped. No one represents the two sides of the debate better than Pablo Eisenberg and Dr. Leslie Lenkowsky. These two thought leaders will go head to head at the SECF Annual Meeting — and you can have a front row seat. 

Reason #8 – It’s better than having a crystal ball.

The SECF Annual Meeting follows immediately on the heels of what will to be a very critical election. You’ll hear the “morning after” impressions from experts about what the results could mean in terms of legislative policy for philanthropy, investment strategies for foundations and the short and long-term future of grantmaking.

Reason #7 – The Great Recession’s not over yet.

Things may be looking up, but we’ve still got a long way to go. At the SECF Annual Meeting, you’ll learn new strategies for tackling the full suite of recession-related realities — from internal investment approaches to ways to develop a community workforce and jobs.

Reason #6 — Powerful philanthropy starts with meaningful conversation.

There’s no place like the SECF Annual Meeting to gather with sector-leading peers in a format that encourages open, honest communication. In fact, the exchange of ideas in hallways and elevators alone has sparked ideas that have changed communities. Although we can’t promise everyone a life-changing moment, we can guarantee you’ll leave with plenty to think about.

Reason #5 — The Gulf Coast gets our support.

SECF secures meeting sites years in advance, and at the time we set this year’s Annual Meeting in Mobile, Alabama, no one could have foreseen the disastrous oil spill that now challenges the Gulf Coast.  While we wish the spill had never happened, we’re heartened that we have a chance to help by visiting the region, helping to generate revenue for the community, and learn about the role foundations will play in the ongoing recovery efforts.

 
Reason #4 — We ditched the stuffy dinner.

Conversation is key. Instead of plated entrees and podiums, we’ve heard the call for more informal networking — loud and clear. This year we’ve replaced the chairman’s dinner with a grand, Southern-style reception. We’re talking heavy on the hors’deouvers and mingling, and light on the interruptions. In fact, we’ve minimized the talking heads and stuffy panels throughout the entire Annual Meeting, and emphasized the opportunity for more discussion, interaction and collective reflection.

Reason #3 — Mobile invented Mardi Gras.

That’s right. Mardi Gras began in Mobile, Alabama, and the spirit of celebration and hospitality still imbues this beautiful city, along with great restaurants, breathtaking architecture and plenty of galleries and shops. What better place to celebrate and share the great work of your foundation? Although we’ll take a look at the serious issues facing our country, our communities, and our philanthropy, we’ve also made sure there’s time for you to enjoy a taste of Mobile and explore one of our region’s historic gems with your friends and colleagues.

 
Reason #2 — You just might sleep easier, because it’s free.

There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep — and yours could be free! Complete your SECF Annual Meeting registration by July 1 and you could win one free night at either The Battle House or Renaissance Riverview Hotel. All you’ll need to do is show up and snooze. (After a full day of action-packed Annual Meeting sessions, that should be a cinch!)

Reason #1 — All your friends and colleagues will be there.

We know what your mama told you: “If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?” But in this case, we think she’d approve. All of your friends and colleagues are coming together to share ideas, meet new leaders and thinkers, learn from experts and enjoy the fellowship of philanthropy. Shouldn’t you?

Don’t miss out. Learn more and register now. See you in Mobile!

• Nonprofits do not perceive funders to have communicated their responses to the economic downturn clearly, if at all.
• Nonprofits report that funders have offered them little useful help in responding to the challenges of the downturn. 

• Clearly communicate with grantees about their own responses to the economic climate.
• Be involved helping grantees consider changes they are making in response to the economic climate.
• Work to build better relationships with grantees, particularly by taking the time to understand the goals and strategies of grantee organizations.

An article in the January 10 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, "Transition from Sparks Hospital to Charitable Entity a Long Process," is noteworthy in two respects: it is a great example of a local reporter, Laurie Whalen, reaching out for a larger perspective on philanthropy, setting up a foundation and foundation regulations; and it underscores the importance of having foundation officials who are accessible to the media, willing and capable of explaining philanthropy policy in terms that the average reader can digest and comprehend.

In this instance, Heather Larkin, president and CEO of the Arkansas Community Foundation in Little Rock, offered a very helpful explanation of health conversion foundations, while articulating that transparency and accountability must be hallmarks of all foundations. Kudos to Whalen and Larkin for helping Arkansas citizens to understand the challenges and nuances involved in the creation of the Fort Smith Regional Healthcare Foundation out of the sale of the non-profit Sparks Regional Medical Center to a for-profit health care provider and simultaneously increasing public awareness of the extraordinary benefits that foundations offer their communities.