Member eBrief - April 2017 | Connecticut Council for Philanthropy

Monday, April 3, 2017

The power of good work . . . CCP updates >>

The power of good networks . . . CCP program and network meeting calendar >>

The power of good connections . . . Member news >>

The power of good ideas . . . New resources >> Trends and perspectives >> Other events >>

The power of good people . . . Colleague news >>

The power of good work . . . CCP updates

HAVE YOU INVITED YOUR BOARD, STAFF, COLLEAGUES AND GRANTEES?

Register Now for CCP's Annual Meeting & Philanthropy Awards >>

CCP encourages you to register for the Annual Meeting & Philanthropy Awards and invite those within your circle of influence, including your board and staff, colleagues, community leaders, and grantees. Use this PDF invitation >> CCP has engaged Heather McGhee, president of Demos, to give a thought provoking keynote address: We the People: Equity, Democracy and the New American Demos. We trust that Heather McGhee will inspire dialogue and action to advance social justice within our organization and in our communities. Thanks to a grant from Newman's Own Foundation, CCP will follow up with programs later this year to help our members explore the issues of "diversity, equity and inclusion." MORE GREAT REASONS TO COME TO THE EVENT: meet new CCP President Karla Fortunato, welcome new CCP Board members and congratulate the Philanthropy Award honorees >>

When: Friday, May 12, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Where: Hartford Marriott Downtown

Keynote: We the People: Equity, Democracy and the New American Demos

Heather C. McGhee is president of Demos, a public policy organization working for an America where we all have an equal say in our democracy and an equal chance in our economy. A recognized thought leader on the national stage, McGhee frequently appears on shows such as Meet the Press, Real Time with Bill Maher, and Hardball with Chris Matthews. Read Heather's recent opinion piece in the New York Times - 'I'm Prejudiced,' He Said. Then We Kept Talking. >>

CCP CONFIRMS BOARD LEADERSHIP AND ELECTS NEW MEMBERS

At the March meeting, the CCP Board confirmed board leadership through March 2018 and elected three new board members.

Continuing in their Board leadership roles are Chair Judith Meyers, president and CEO of the Children's Fund of Connecticut, Vice Chair Michael Johnston, CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford; and Secretary Christine Traczyk, executive director of Farmington Bank Community Foundation. CCP Board Member Paul Ballasy, a partner with CohnReznick, is the new board treasurer.

Newly elected members to the CCP Board of Directors are: Maryam Elahi, president and CEO of The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut; Kelly Giordano, managing director for Newman's Own Foundation; and Judy Rozie-Battle, senior vice president for the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

At the Annual Meeting & Philanthropy Awards on May 12, CCP will formally recognize three retiring board members for their service: Bob Haggett, executive vice president for Newman's Own Foundation; Linda Kelly, immediate past president of Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; and Guy Rovezzi, CEO of Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation.

HELP PROTECT NONPROFIT NONPARTISANSHIP

The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy has signed on to the Community Letter in Support of Nonpartisanship, joining our partners in the state and around the country that have endorsed this important statement. We encourage CCP members, as well as all grantmakers and nonprofit organizations, to sign on and help maintain and preserve the historic commitment to remaining independent of partisan election politics. Follow the link to review the statement and endorse it on behalf of your organization.

Sign on before the end of business today, March 31! The sign-on letter will be released to Congress next week: https://www.givevoice.org/community-letter-support-nonprofit-nonpartisanship

HELP US HONOR THE 2017 PHILANTHROPY AWARDEES

2017 John H. Filer Award
for creative leadership in philanthropy
Sheila Perrin
Co-Founder and Board Chair
Perrin Family Foundation

2017 Martha S. Newman Award
for exemplary service to the philanthropic sector
Diane Sierpina
Director of Justice Initiatives
The Tow Foundation

LOOKING FOR A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY?

All staff with administration, operations and finance responsibilities are welcome to participate in CCP's Foundation Administrator Network. Many Network members justify the meeting time as professional development and are able to bring knowledge, best practices and resources back to their organizations.

The March Foundation Administrator Network meeting focused on taking accurate meeting minutes in adherence to good board governance practices. Past CCP Board Member Jack Horak presented on the topic. Jack is with The Alliance for Non-profit Growth and Opportunity (TANGO) and was formerly with Reid & Riege, PC, where he was the director of the Non-profit Practice Group. Senior administration staff and support staff alike were both enlightened on ways in which varying staff can keep their organization in compliance and good standing with their respective bylaws. You can access the presentation material here >>

Register for an upcoming Foundation Administration Network meetings: Thursday, July 13 and Thursday, November 16 at 10:00 am.

OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

Nominate a Grantee

Everyday Democracy is pleased to announce the first inaugural Paul and Joyce Aicher Leadership in Democracy Award. This will be given to an individual or organization that demonstrates the values on which Everyday Democracy was founded, such as focusing on community, developing new leaders, taking action, and giving people voice. Nominations opened on April 1 >>
The Fund for Shared Insight is offering several opportunities to be involved in their Listen for Good (L4G) initiative. L4G is an initiative dedicated to building the practice of listening to the people funders seek to help. They invite nonprofits and funders to join in exploring a simple but systematic and rigorous way of getting feedback from the people at the heart of their work. Listen for Good is focused on applying a semi-standard survey instrument, which includes using the Net Promoter SystemSM (NPS®) employed widely in customer feedback circles, to the nonprofit beneficiary context. Organizations implementing L4G are all customer-facing nonprofits. In order to apply to participate in L4G, a nonprofit must be nominated by a current funder (existing or new). If the nonprofit(s) a funder nominates is selected to participate in L4G, the nominating funder will contribute $15,000 of the $45,000 grant total for each nonprofit selected.* Selected grantees will receive a $45,000 grant over two years: $30,000 paid the first year and $15,000 the second year. Proposals will be accepted from funder-nominated nonprofits until Friday, May 26. Learn more and register for a nominating co-funder informational webinar on April 7 or April 21 >>

Past Program Materials

“Creating Authentic Relationships and Avoiding Power Dynamics with Your Grantees” was the theme of the March 7 Program Officer Network meeting. Aimee Hendrigan, vice president of programs for Melville Charitable Trust, shared a presentation on Melville’s Grantee Perception Report prepared by the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP). Aimee’s contact information is at the end of her presentation if you’d like to get in touch with her.

The power of good networks . . . CCP program and network meeting calendar

FEATURED PROGRAMS

Secrets of the 990: How to Evaluate and Assess the Risk Profile of Your Grantees

Program Description: Each grant-making organization has a responsibility to ensure that grant funds are used appropriately and effectively. An applicant and grant recipient must be able to demonstrate their ability to use the funds to support the program strategy, to protect their assets, to effectively account for the use of funds and to provide outcome reporting. This program will discuss the information available on financial statements and tax returns and how that information can help you evaluate applicants and monitor grant recipients.

When: Tuesday, April 25, 10:00 - 11:30 am
Where: CohnReznick Training Center, Hartford
Presenter: Patricia E. McGowan, Partner, CohnReznick

Small Assets, Big Impact

Program Description: Join members of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy and Exponent Philanthropy for a workshop to explore ideas and best practices on how small funders can make a big impact. In this interactive session, participants will share knowledge and examples of high impact philanthropy with their peers in the Connecticut and New York region.

When: Wednesday, April 26, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Charter Communications, Stamford
Facilitator: Doug Bauer, Executive Director, the Clark Foundation

PROGRAM and MEETING CALENDAR >>

For questions about any of CCP's programs or Network meetings, contact Dee Goodrich, Director of Member Engagement, 860-525-5585.

SELECT OTHER EVENTS

Funder Roundtable Radical Possibilities: The Power of Youth in the Fight for Social Justice
MAY 22, 2:30-6:00 pm, Boston, MA

The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions, in partnership with the Ford Foundation, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, Funders Collaborative for Youth Organizing and the Hyams Foundation, are organizing this roundtable with the purpose of sharing with philanthropic leaders and other participants models of youth-led organizing and exemplars of authentic youth-adult partnerships in the work for social change. The roundtable will showcase the radical possibilities and power of youth voice, leadership, and organizing, and the role of philanthropy in supporting these efforts. For more information or to RSVP contact Christina Kostuk at Christina.Kostuk@aspeninstitute.org; 202-736-5809.
Reimagining Justice Conference
JUNE 14-15, Hartford - SAVE the DATES
Governor Dannel P. Malloy and First Lady Cathy Malloy are convening a national conference focusing on the human impact of crime and incarceration. The conference will foster conversations about new approaches to juvenile and young adult offenders, pretrial justice, incarceration, and re-entry. Leaders and experts from around the nation will meet with a diverse group of participants, including formerly incarcerated individuals, victims of crime, academics, business leaders, members of faith communities and representatives of labor to discuss progress that has already been made and to examine national and international models of criminal justice reform. The conference will include robust discussions about the collateral consequences of contact with the criminal justice system and will aim to strengthen a growing consensus that states must reimagine justice in order to reduce crime and end the cycle of mass incarceration. For information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Monika Nugent at Monika.Nugent@ct.gov.

MORE EVENTS >>

CCP has curated a list of webinars and local, regional and national events of interest to CCP members.

The power of good connections . . . Member news

MEMBER PUBLICATIONS and REPORTS

Connecticut Health and Development Institute of Connecticut (CHDI), an affiliate of Children's Fund of Connecticut, has released a new issue brief: Supporting Young Children Who Experience Trauma. The brief discusses the effects of trauma on young children and ways Connecticut can support young children who experience trauma.

MEMBER ANNUAL REPORTS and NEWSLETTERS

Aetna - Winter 2017 Community Newsletter >>

Donaghue Foundation - Winter 2017 Practically Speaking Newsletter >>

United Way of Central and Northeastern CT - 2016 Annual Report >>

United Way of Connecticut - March Community Connection >>

MEMBER BLOGS

Connecticut Health Foundation - Academy Leader Spotlight: Nichelle A. Mullins >>

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford - A Cause for Celebration >>

Paul J. Aicher Foundation (Everyday Democracy) - What Does Co-Production of Public Safety Look Like? >>

Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut - CT Rallies to Protect Our Care >>

MEMBER WEBSITE REFRESH

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut >>

The power of good ideas . . . New resources

FUNDER PRACTICE

The Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP) interviewed leaders of 11 limited life foundations to learn more about their decision to spend down. The result of these interviews is a new report by CEP, A Date Certain: Lessons from Limited Life Foundations. The research illustrates the ways in these foundations approach spending down in nine key areas: why spend down, investing, staffing, grantmaking and strategy, what they owe to their grantees, collaborations, communications, evaluation, and archiving knowledge.

FUNDING OVERHEAD

The Nonprofit Quarterly's recorded webinar, Why Funding Overhead Is Not the Real Issue: The Case to Cover Full Costs, presents a conceptual review to help nonprofit executives’ understanding of the issue, frame overhead costs and how it relates to funding and mission. "The myths and misinterpretations of the true full costs of delivering vital programs have contributed to a chronically fragile social infrastructure for our communities."

EDUCATION/JUSTICE

The Washington Post recently reported on a study, Mass incarceration and Children's Outcomes, released by the Economic Policy Institute. The study says that “evidence is overwhelming that the unjustified incarceration of African American fathers (and, increasingly, mothers as well) is an important cause of the lowered performance of their children” and of the racial achievement gap. Learn more >>

The power of good ideas . . . Trends and perspectives

Greater Equity Through Data Collection, Courageous Conversations, and Collaborations >>

-- Philanthropy News Journal

Why Racial Equity? Why Now? >>

-- The Center for Effective Philanthropy

Data Disrupts Corruption >>

-- Stanford Social Innovation Review

The power of good people . . . Colleague news

Are you new to your organization or have you received a promotion, certification or award? Have you presented at a conference or event or have you published a blog or report? Send your news and a photo to: Laurie Allen, Director of Communications.

COLLEAGUE WELCOME

The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut welcomes Jill Blanchette as its new communications officer. She brings 30 years of experience as a journalist — reporter, designer, manager, technology specialist and trainer — to the position. She also has been a key player in developing social media strategies, creating digital workflow and leading website redesigns.

The Tow Foundation is pleased to announce that Beeta Jahedi has joined its team as the Director of Strategy and Communications. In this newly created role, Beeta will focus on amplifying the visibility of the Foundation’s work to address critical social issues in the areas of justice reform, medical innovation, higher education, and cultural institutions as well as actively engaging external audiences on solutions. Beeta joins the Foundation after serving as the senior director of learning and programs at San Diego Grantmakers. “Beeta brings the skills and experience to amplify the Foundation’s visibility and execute our strategic vision. We are excited to have her join our team,” said President and Executive Director Emily Tow Jackson. Read more >>

Betty Sugerman Weintraub has been appointed the new Grant Program Manager at the Connecticut Health & Facilities Authority (CHEFA). In her new capacity, she will be responsible for all of CHEFA’s grant programs; including the Non-Profit, Client, and Targeted Grant Programs. Previous to joining CHEFA, she worked for the Liberty Bank Foundation in several capacities, most recently as the Associate Director for Community Initiatives. Her background also includes positions at the United Way and American Red Cross in CT and MA.

COLLEAGUE HAPPENINGS

Nadia Alia has been promoted to a newly created position of Director of Operations at The Tow Foundation. She joined The Foundation in 2013 as grants manager and was promoted to Manager of Grants and Communications in 2015. In this newly created role, Nadia will create and direct the Foundation’s various operating systems. She will also develop and implement the Foundation’s internal activities that enable the Foundation’s current board and next generation family members, staff and grantees to achieve the highest level of impact. “Nadia has shown tremendous strength in improving and developing systems and processes to increase our efficiency and effectiveness,” said President and Executive Director Emily Tow Jackson. Read more >>

IN MEMORIAM

We join with the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving in mourning the sudden passing last week of Sharon O'Meara, director of community engagement. Sharon was also the chair of CCP's Workforce Affinity Group. Sharon dedicated more than 20 years of service to the Hartford Foundation. In a public announcement, the Hartford Foundation related about Sharon, "She was well-known in the community for her wonderful sense of humor and commitment to her work with nonprofits. Sharon leaves behind a legacy of creativity and innovation in her work as well as the memory of the kindness and caring she exhibited toward all of us. During this extremely difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with all those were part of Sharon's life."

About the Member eBrief

The Member eBrief, is a CCP members-only electronic newsletter. Members receive the monthly publication to keep them current on upcoming CCP programs, member and colleague news, trends, and new resources. Members are encouraged to send press releases, public events, announcements, newsletters and colleague news to Laurie Allen, Director of Communications. 2017 Publication Dates: April 3, May 1, June 5, July, 10, August 7, September 5, October 2, November 6 and December 4. Submission Deadline: Close of business one week before the publication date.

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Member eBrief - April 2017