Southeastern Council of Foundations

In a recent column in Business Lexington, Anne Nash, a philanthropic advisor in Lexington, Kentucky, offered a fairly comprehensive summary of the ways in which the field of grantmaking is beginning to shift. In short, the lines between traditional grantmaking and business models seem to be getting more and more blurred. Perhaps one day, it will be difficult to distinguish between a grantmaking foundation and business empire.

Not that I completely disagree; there are plenty of arguments out there for adopting a more rigorous and results-driven approach to investing one's social capital. And no doubt new charitable foundations rules and regulations, along with ongoing foundation legislation, will evolve in response to these new trends. 

While it's great that a growing number of corporate and business leaders and thinkers are eager to make their marks in the philanthropic sandbox, it's also true that no one understands the real challenges of foundation grantmaking like those who have been toiling here for decades. That's why it's so critical that foundation executives and trustees make their voices heard among state and national policy and law-making bodies. And one of the best places to do that is at Foundations on the Hill, March 16 and 17th.

It's still not too late to sign up. The more of us who visit the Hill, the louder our voice and the stronger our influence as our field grows and changes. Get the details on the SECF Foundations on the Hill webpage.

To add your name to the list, contact Helen Ishii, Director of Member and Government Affairs, Southeastern Council of Foundations, (404) 524-0911 or helen@secf.org. 

See you in DC!