Philanthropy Front and Center-Atlanta

Next Week at the Foundation Center-Atlanta: March 2-6

Evening hours next week! We will be open until 8:00pm on Tuesday, March 3.

We invite you to our classes this upcoming week:

Tuesday, March 3, 5:15-6:45pm
Grantseeking Basics

Tuesday, March 3, 7:00-8:00pm
Introduction to Foundation Directory Online

Tuesday, March 3, 6:30-7:30pm
Finding Foundation Support for Your Education
** at Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, Northside Branch **

Wednesday, March 4, 10:00-11:00am
Finding Foundation Support for Your Education

Thursday, March 5, 9:00am-4:00pm
Foundation Fundraising
$125

Unless otherwise noted, the classes above are free to attend, but registration is required. For programs offered over the next three months, please see our Events Calendar.

Can't visit the Foundation Center this week? Check out our webinars.

Use our library:

• Search Foundation Directory Online Professional and other research tools for free


• Borrow books about nonprofit management and fundraising


• Ask our staff of experts for information assistance

We're open to the public Monday thru Friday, 10am-5pm (first Tuesdays of each month, 10am-8pm). No appointment is necessary. See our web site for directions and parking information.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Microfinance in the News

We recently read about microfinance in “Connections” from the Southeastern Council of Foundations.   For those not familiar with the term, we checked the Grameen Foundation’s web sitefor a definition:  “microfinance is an amazingly simple approach that has been proven to empower very poor people around the world to pull themselves out of poverty. Relying on their traditional skills and entrepreneurial instincts, very poor people, mostly women, use small loans (usually less than US$200), other financial services, and support from local organizations called microfinance institutions (MFIs) to start, establish, sustain, or expand very small, self-supporting businesses.”   Atlanta’s Rockdale Foundation is an example of a local foundation which focuses on “microfinance for a better world”. 

Microlending has been associated primarily with developing countries, but Grameen America, a sister organization to the Grameen Bank which won the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, brought the Grameen brand of microfinance to New York City in January 2008. Since then, Grameen America has lent out over $1.2 million in income generating loans to 500 poor families in Queens, New York with a repayment rate of over 99%.  After achieving major success with its initial operations in New York, Grameen America is being encouraged by the North Carolina financial community to bring its lending program to North Carolina in 2009.

To learn more about this topic, you can search “microfinance” in our Catalog of Nonprofit Literature  or review “The World's Top 50 Microfinance Institutions".

Joanne Kepics, Regional Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Optimism about Philanthropic Giving?

In this economy, it is hard to find a story with anything other than dire predictions for the days ahead. The Southeastern Council of Foundations, however, recently called our attention to a more optimistic article by Sean Stannard-Stockton that appeared on the Financial Times' web site.

In "The Second Wave of Giving Will Roll On", Stannard-Stockton proposes that philanthropic giving, much like the economy in general, is cyclical in nature. He cites the example of the dot com bubble earlier this decade, when philanthropy faded into the background as other, more pressing financial needs took precedence over charitable giving. Since that time, individual giving and voluntarism have again taken center stage, due in no small part to innovative services like GlobalGiving.org, Facebook Causes, and Change.org.

Stannard-Stockton proposes that in the coming years, the convergence of baby boomer wealth and the social activism of Generation Y will help the nonprofit sector grow even further, becoming stronger and more resilient. U.S. philanthropy, much like the economy, will recover from the current downturn, and with recovery will come a second wave of philanthropy.

For further reading on current issues and emerging trends in philanthropy, we recommend the following titles:

Causewired: Plugging in, Getting Involved, Changing the World, by Tom Watson (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2009), describes how the generation known as Millennials, in addition to using sites such as Facebook and MySpace for social networking, are also engaging in philanthropic activities through online means and are actively supporting such causes as DonorsChoose and Kiva. Some other terms that are used to describe the trend are "online social activism" and "peer-to-peer philanthropy." Watson's goal in writing this book is to outline, with examples, the changes that are taking place and that will have an impact on charities and politics.

Momentum: Igniting Social Change in the Connected Age, by Allison Fine (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2006), outlines the online interconnectedness that is possible for organizations seeking to embrace social change in their communities. Using the term "connected activism" to describe the potential of newer technologies, the author provides guidance for fostering social networks.

To find more books, articles, and other resources on the future of philanthropy and trends in giving, you can search our  Catalog of Nonprofit Literature(CNL) for the subjects "Philanthropy--analysis", "Philanthropy--trends", or "Philanthropy--economic aspects".

Links to additional resources and information on engaging youth in philanthropy can be found in this resource list at our web site.

For more articles and analysis on the current economic crisis and the nonprofit sector, see the Foundation Center's Focus on the Economic Crisis.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Charles Loridans Foundation Announces Awards for Individual Artists

The Charles Loridans Foundation announced recently the winners of their annual awards to individual artists.  Four Atlanta artists were honored for their artistic work and their long-term contributions to the city’s cultural life.  Each will receive the Loridans Arts Medal and a grant of $15,000. 

• W. Dwight Coleman, director of the Georgia State University School of Music and its Harrower Opera Workshop.  He is also the resident stage director of La Musica Lirica Summer Opera Festival in Italy.

• Klimchak, a performer and composer who has worked with numerous Atlanta theaters for the past 20 years.

• Larry Larson,an actor and playwright, has been active in Atlanta theater since 1980.

• Juan Ramirez-Hernandez, a first violinist with the Atlanta Symphony, leads the Atlanta Virtuosi and the Buckhead Youth Orchestra.

The Loridans Encouragement Awards were awarded to four young artists.  Sheila Pree Bright, a photographer, and Jason von Hinezmeyer, a performer and designer at the Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts will receive $10,000 each.  Ariel de Man and Maia Knispel, actors and founders of Out of Hand Theater, will receive $7,500 each.

The Charles Loridans Foundation was established in 1952.  Its focus on the arts including a theater initiative began in 2001. It has since expanded to support a broad spectrum of arts organizations.

Kayron Bearden, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Grant Guides Have Gone Digital

The 21 titles in the Foundation Center's popular Grant Guides series, which provide detailed listings of recent foundation grants for selected subject areas, population groups, and types of support, are now available for purchase as digital editions.

In addition to detailed information on recent grants, each guide includes helpful indexes, key statistics, lists of top funders, and key facts for identifying funding prospects.

The new digital format includes added features, such as a keyword text search, links to our free Foundation Finder web tool, and subject, geographic, and recipient indexes.

Titles in the series include:

• Grants for Children & Youth
• Grants for Community & Economic Development
• Grants for Elementary & Secondary Education
• Grants for Foreign & International Programs
• Grants for Medical Research
• Grants for Minorities
• Grants for Services for the Homeless
• Grants for Women & Girls

Visit the Marketplace section of our web site to view all 21 titles in our Grant Guides series. Each guide can be purchased for $39.95 and is licensed for one download per customer.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Next Week at the Foundation Center-Atlanta: February 23-27

Evening hours next week! We will be open until 8:00pm on Thursday, February 26.

We invite you to our classes and events this upcoming week:

Tuesday, February 24, 10:00am-12:00pm
Meet the Grantmakers

Thursday, February 26, 5:15-6:45pm
Proposal Writing Basics

Thursday, February 26, 7:00-8:00pm
Proposal Budgeting Basics

The classes above are free to attend, but registration is required. For programs offered over the next three months, please see our Events Calendar.

Can't visit the Foundation Center this week? Check out our webinars.

Use our library:

• Search Foundation Directory Online Professional and other research tools for free


• Borrow books about nonprofit management and fundraising


• Ask our staff of experts for information assistance

We're open to the public Monday thru Friday, 10am-5pm (first Tuesdays of each month, 10am-8pm). No appointment is necessary. See our web site for directions and parking information.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Words of Wisdom for Tough Economic Times

As a board member of the Atlanta Nonprofit Professionals (ANP), I have the privilege of hearing leaders in the nonprofit sector talk about issues in the field. Luckily, you don’t have to be a board member to take advantage of the professional development opportunities presented by ANP. You can sign-up for these free presentations and network at the same time.

Nan Thomas, director of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta African American Partnership (AAP) was the guest speaker at our most recent event. She spoke candidly about the tough economic times that we are in and how we can navigate this rocky terrain. She offered the following advice to nonprofits, particularly to those with the responsibility of fundraising:

 Respect the time: We have to face the realities of the present economy. This is not a time to have your head in the sand. Therefore, acknowledge what is happening and assess the current and future impact that job losses and cut backs will have on your organization. You can not manage what you don’t acknowledge.

Prepare mentally: Fundraising professionals must get mentally tough. Institute or reinstitute any religious or spiritual practices that you may have practiced. This can enhance your ability to cope with higher rates of rejections you may receive and help you deal with instability you may face due to economic conditions.

Assess your plan: All fundraising plans need to be assessed throughout the year to make sure you are on target. By re-evaluating your plan, you will be able to see where you may need to cut back, or increase your efforts to cover expenses in your organization.

Change your plan: Don’t be afraid to change your original plan. If you discover that your plan will not get you where you need to go, change your plan, not your goals. Get creative about fundraising and continue to ask, ask, ask!

Deploy more foot soldiers: Continue to recognize your donors and keep them abreast of the difference their contributions are making to those you serve. Create small feel-good gatherings to reward their work, which also allows them to invite others who may share a passion for your mission. Help them to get the word out about your organization, which includes promoting the need for in-kind gifts.

When raising money in tough economic times, you have to return to the basics of what you do. If you stay true to your mission, formulate and execute creative fundraising strategies, and cultivate your volunteers and donors, your organization will weather this economic storm.

To learn about creating a fundraising plan and diversifying your revenue, take the Foundation Center’s Introduction to Fundraising Planning class live, via webinar or on demand.

Asia M. Hadley, Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Free Shipping on Decision-Making Book Set

This February, the Foundation Center is offering free shipping on two best-selling books by Dr. Dennis R. Young that are designed to help nonprofit managers take a more strategic approach to achieve sustainability in challenging times:

• In Effective Economic Decision-Making by Nonprofit Organizations, practical guidelines show nonprofits how to advance their mission while balancing the interests of funders, trustees, and staff. Price: $34.95 - Buy now


• In Wise Decision-Making in Uncertain Times: Using Nonprofit Resources Effectively, Dr. Young helps managers understand how to cope with funding cutbacks when the demand for services has increased. Price: $34.95 - Buy now

Order both books together and save $10! Your price for the set is $59.90 and includes free shipping for this month.

As demand for services rises and charitable contributions are diminished, nonprofit managers must make crucial decisions in order to keep their organizations fiscally sound. Learn how to steer your nonprofit through tough economic times by ordering these management guides today.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

New Tool! Foundation Giving Forecast

The Center's Focus on the Economic Crisis online information hub has yet another targeted tracking tool to offer foundation watchers!

Foundation Giving Forecast is a dynamic chart that takes information from multiple data sources and in one place presents foundations' planned responses to the economic crisis, news about these foundations, their most recent fiscal information, and summary forecasts for giving in the near future. Users can use the chart to gain insight on how the philanthropic sector is confronting the economic crisis and how the largest foundation in the country plan to support the work of nonprofits.

Local foundations listed in the forecast chart include the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation and The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

The forecast tool is free and available to all and will be updated on a continuous basis, so check it out and let us know what you think.

Next Week at the Foundation Center-Atlanta: February 16-20

The library will be closed Monday, February 16, for the President's Day holiday. 

We invite you to our classes this upcoming week:

Tuesday, February 17, 9:30-10:45am
Introduction to Fundraising Planning

Wednesday, February 18, 9:30-10:45am
Your Board and Fundraising: An Introductory Class for Small Nonprofits

Wednesday, February 18, 11:00am-12:30pm
How to Turn Your Organization into a Marketing Maverick

Thursday, February 19, 9:30-11:00am
Grantseeking Basics

Thursday, February 19, 11:15am-12:15pm
Introduction to Foundation Directory Online

The classes above are free to attend, but registration is required. For programs offered over the next three months, please see our Events Calendar.

Can't visit the Foundation Center this week? Check out our webinars.

Use our library:

• Search Foundation Directory Online Professional and other research tools for free


• Borrow books about nonprofit management and fundraising


• Ask our staff of experts for information assistance

We're open to the public Monday thru Friday, 10am-5pm (first Tuesdays of each month, 10am-8pm). No appointment is necessary. See our web site for directions and parking information.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta