Philanthropy Front and Center-Atlanta

Looking for corporate funding?

You may first want to learn more about corporate funding for nonprofits and we have several opportunities available.   Our full day class “Securing Corporate Partnerships” is for grantseekers who want to explore various corporate/nonprofit partnership models and provides our most in-depth learning experience.  Scholarships are available to Georgia nonprofits with budgets under $500,000.

If you want an overview, you may attend our “Introduction to Corporate Giving”  class which provides a free one-hour introduction to the world of corporate support for nonprofits and to the effective utilization of the Foundation Center's print and electronic resources on corporate giving.

You may want to take the same class as a free webinar or as a free interactive online guided course that reinforces lessons with interactivity, assignments, and self-tests.

If you’re looking for answers, check our Frequently Asked Questions section on funding resources for corporations.

When you’re ready to search for potential corporate funding partners, you may use the Foundation Directory Online database at no charge here at our library or at any of the Cooperating Collections.

Good luck with your work!

Joanne Kepics, Regional Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta 

Ready for America's Giving Challenge?

When the first edition of America's Giving Challenge was launched in late 2007/early 2008, social networks and online giving were a still novelty for most people. Sponsored and widely promoted by the Case Foundation, PARADE Publications, and Causes on Facebook, the challenge did much to change that. Indeed, 71,000 people participated in the month-long campaign, which generated a total of $1.8 million in donations to nearly 700 charities.

Well, the challenge is back and expectations for the new campaign, which runs through November 6 at 3:00 EST, are high. The program has been designed to serve as "an example of how social networking is transforming the way people participate in philanthropy," and this year participants have the opportunity to compete for daily and overall cash awards totaling $170,000 ($150,000 from the Case Foundation and $20,00 from the Program on Philanthropy and Social Innovation at the Aspen Institute).

Nonprofit organizations and individuals who wish to participate can get involved in one of two ways:

Champion a cause. Individuals who are passionate about a specific cause can become "cause champions" and compete to obtain the most donations for their cause through the Causes application.

Promote, donate, or join a cause. All individuals are encouraged to take part in the challenge by joining, promoting, or donating to causes they care about. (Facebook membership is not required to donate to a Giving Challenge cause.)

To learn more, to register to compete, and/or to donate to a cause, visit: http://www.americasgivingchallenge.com/.

This post came from our sister blog PhilanTopic – which will update the results as they are tabulated and released. Good luck to all!

Joanne Kepics, Regional Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Using Social Media for Development: Flash in the Pan or Wave of the Future?

In case you missed this lively program presented earlier this month by Kelly Hornbuckle, Manager of Marketing & Communications, Georgia Restaurant Association, you can view her presentation. (We will also have a recording of this program available in the video event archives section of our web site in the near future.)

Kelly talked about how nonprofit organizations can leverage Web 2.0 tools and do more with less. The program discussed using social media to find creative ways to drive your organizations’ missions forward; to increase donations with applications and widgets and to use search functionality to attract new donors with similar interests; to raise mission awareness through the viral nature of web 2.0 with measurable web traffic; and to mobilize volunteers using technology that makes recruiting and volunteering easier than ever. She referred to a helpful webinar available from Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta on the “Legal Issues of Social Networking.” 

You may also want to look at The Case Foundation’s web site which has a resource page with links and tutorials on social media sites for nonprofits.

Another resource comes from the Foundation Center-Washington DC’s  program “Facebook, Twitter, and Causes -- Are They Right for Your Organization?” In this program, three speakers discussed social media and how nonprofits can use these outlets to connect with their constituents and raise awareness of their message. Panelists included:
• Dahna Goldstein, Founder of Philantech, LLC
• Jocelyn Harmon, Director of Business Development for Triplex Interactive and blogger at Marketing for Nonprofits 
• Evan C. Parker, Manager of Digital Membership for The Nature Conservancy

You can find the slides for Dahna and Jocelyn's presentation and for Evan's presentation online. Here are some highlights from the program:
• The Pew Internet and American Life Project has compelling statistics on Internet use that can be useful in planning a social media strategy.
• Panelists reinforced the reality that social media helps you engage new audiences rather than turn them into immediate donors.
• Panel members had different opinions on which social media tools were most effective, but all agreed that picking a social media tool  based on which would appeal to your organization's primary audience is critical.

In case you were wondering, most people agree that social media tools are the wave of the future and not a flash in the pan. Please share your thoughts and experiences with social media.

Joanne Kepics, Regional Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Local and National Funds Addressing the Arts Crisis

Although the economic crisis is impacting every sector, the arts community seems to be especially hard hit.  Declining philanthropic dollars and earned income (ticket sales) have been a double whammy on the arts sector.  All is not lost, however; there is some light in the dark tunnel. 

Atlanta Arts Recovery Initiative
In June, The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, a partnership of The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, announced the Atlanta Arts Recovery initiative, a two-year, $2.5 million program designed to keep metro Atlanta’s small and midsized arts organizations stable as they face the turbulent economy and unpredictable financial challenges. The Initiative builds on the Arts Fund’s previous program of grantmaking, management consulting and loans to strengthen arts organizations.  It includes two grant cycles each year in 2009 and 2010 with each cycle distributing $500,000 in general operating support.

Already, the Arts Fund has awarded $500,000 to 11 organizations during its spring grant cycle.  Recipients include: Actor’s Express, Atlanta Celebrates Photography, Atlanta Chamber Players,
Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County, Dad’s Garage Theatre Company, Georgia Shakespeare, Madison Morgan Cultural Center, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Theatre in the Square,
True Colors Theatre Company, and Youth Ensemble of Atlanta.  You can find information about the organizations and grant amounts at the Arts Fund web site.

It is too late to apply this year, but it’s not too early to begin planning for the 2010 grant cycle. 

Arts Stabilization Toolbox and Arts Loan Fund
The Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund is continuing its Arts Stabilization Toolbox awards, which are awards of management consulting projects that help organizations implement scenario planning, update strategic plans, build stronger boards and improve financial plans. Further, changes to the Arts Loan Fund program will increase the maximum size of loans from $25,000 to $40,000 and extend the timeframe that organizations have to pay back loans.

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
The Recovery Act has appropriated $50 million in funds to The National Endowment for the Arts to be distributed in direct grants to fund art projects and activities that preserve jobs threatened by the current recession.  Nine Georgia arts organizations will receive a total of $625,000 through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These organizations include:  Atlanta Ballet, Inc., Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Inc., Center for Puppetry Arts, Fulton County Arts Council, National Black Arts Festival, Phoenix Theatre Academy, Inc., Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center, Inc., Sautee Nacoochee Community Association, Inc., and Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia.  You can find details at the NEA web site.

Funding for the  Arts Month in October 2009
Join us in October for our Funding for the Arts Month Activities as we present free classes, workshops, and podcasts aimed at helping artists and nonprofit arts organizations.  Our kickoff event will be our annual Resource Market for the Arts on Monday, October 5, at the Rialto Center for the Arts.  Visit our calendar for information about our other programs in October.

Pattie Johnson, Director, Foundation Center – Atlanta

Big Oops!

We’re human; we make mistakes.  The July/August 2009 issue of Advancing Philanthropy is devoted to this topic.  If you are a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, you get this periodical as part of your membership.  If not a member, you can subscribe online or come to the Foundation Center and read the articles here. 

The main article in this issue, “Uh Oh! How to Turn Mistakes into Valuable Learning Opportunities” by Mary Ellen Collins and Paul Lagasse, features eight lessons, stating the problem as a case study and analyzing the result. You’ll read them with one of two thoughts going through your mind, “Thank goodness that has never happened here,” or “Oh how I relate; we did the same thing last year.”  Two points from this article stand out in my mind:  (1) When dealing with donors and their money, any interaction has the potential to be an accident; and (2) The saddest mistake is the one you repeat; learn from each oops.

Don’t have time to read the 10-page article?  At least take a look at the sidebars, particularly “What to Do – and What Not to Do When a Crisis Happens.” In addition to actual quotes from experts from a variety of highly regarded consulting firms, there is a summary list of Dos and Don’ts.   

 Pattie Johnson, Director, Foundation Center – Atlanta

Giving in Installments

I saw an interesting article in our local paper, the AJC (Atlanta Journal-Constitution), about local charities allowing patrons to buy tickets to big-ticket special events on an installment plan:  "Charitable Giving Goes Layaway Route". The term "layaway" is not typically used; and those who buy tickets over time can expect discretion. According to Vicki Palefsky, chair of the Alliance Theatre's spring gala: "It preserves folks' dignity. It allows them the opportunity to give at a higher level than they might otherwise be able to, preserves the donor base, fills the house, and ensures that you'll reach your financial goals."

Have you had any experiences with creative ways you're handling special events?  Please let us know.  To learn more, check out our FAQ "Where can I find information on fundraising through special events?"

Joanne Kepics, Regional Training Coordinator, Foundation Center-Atlanta

For-profit Ventures for Nonprofit Organizations

I came across a really interesting article the other day about how some nonprofit organizations are setting up for-profit subsidiaries to help generate additional revenue and to further their mission.

You can find the article, "Safety Line", in the June 2009 issue of Fundraising Success Magazine.  The author gives several examples of nonprofits that have set up for-profit subsidiaries, including Open Hand, based here in Atlanta.  This local organization delivers meals and nutritional information to low-income people with chronic diseases.  In 2005, they began a for-profit arm, Good Measure Meals, in response to a demand for nutritious meals for people who could afford to pay for them.  Although it wasn’t initially set up as a fundraising venture, Good Measure Meals contributed $430,000 to Open Hand in 2008.

The article stresses the importance of mission fit—aligning the work of the for-profit subsidiary with the mission of the nonprofit.  This will help at tax time when the nonprofit doesn’t have to pay unrelated business income tax (UBIT) on the revenue that comes from the for-profit venture. 

Another key point discussed is that starting a revenue-generating venture may not be right for every organization.  Along with profits can come risks, but those risks can be lowered through proper planning.  A nonprofit considering starting a for-profit subsidiary should consider 3 important characteristics to make sure doing so is right for them:

• Organizational assets: brand or reputation, skills and expertise
• Market opportunity: potential customer base
• Organizational capacity: able to handle checks, process invoices, manage customer service; appropriate managerial talent in place

For additional information on earned income, look in our Catalog of Nonprofit Literature using the search terms “Nonprofit organizations-entrepreneurship” or “Social entrepreneurship”.

Has your nonprofit set up a for-profit subsidiary?  Share your story with us.

Kayron Bearden, Reference Library, Foundation Center-Atlanta

 

Online Fundraising Holding Steady

This past month, M+R Strategic Services and the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) released the 2009 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study. This annual research study is intended to measure the effectiveness of online fundraising and advocacy and to assist in establishing industry-wide metrics in these areas. The 2009 study provides an analysis of online messaging, fundraising, and advocacy data from 2008 for 32 leading nonprofit organizations working on environmental, legal/civil rights, health and international aid issues.

Key findings of the study include:

• Online fundraising, in terms of total dollars raised, was up by 26%.
• Email fundraising and advocacy response rates held steady this year, with only slight declines shown in open and click-through rates.
• While the average online gift size shrank from $86 to $71, this decline was offset by a 43% increase in the number of online donations.
• Email lists continue to grow, though more slowly every year: growth was at 17 percent in 2008, down from 19 percent in 2007 and 21 percent in 2006.

You can download a free copy of the 2009 eNonprofit Benchmarks Study here.

Looking for information and resources to help jump-start your online fundraising? The Foundation Center-Atlanta will be hosting a free presentation next week for nonprofits looking to expand their outreach activities through an organizational website or e-newsletter:

Casting a Wide 'Net: Websites & E-Newsletters That Get Noticed
Wednesday, June 17, 11:00am-12:30pm
Presenter: Dalya F. Massachi, Founder, Writing for Community Success
Register. 

For additional resources, see our FAQ, "Where can I find information on online fundraising? "or search the Catalog of Nonprofit Literature, the Center's bibliographic database, for the subject "Fundraising--computer aided" or by using the term "online fundraising" in the keyword field.

Stephen Sherman, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta

Webinars for Funding for Education Month

Throughout June, the Foundation Center is celebrating Funding for Education Month. In addition to free classes and special events, we've developed a couple of free webinars focused on foundation funding for education. From the comfort of your home or office you can learn to create customized lists of prospective education donors using Foundation Directory Online and hear a timely discussion of foundation funding trends in higher education.  Register on our web site for Researching Education Funders with Foundation Directory Online, Friday, June 12, 1:00-2:00 pm or Foundation Funding Trends in Higher Education, Monday, June 29, 3:00-4:00 pm.

Special Event with Dan Pallotta, Author of Uncharitable

Join us for a presentation by Dan Pallotta, author of Uncharitable – How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential, on Friday, May 29, 2009, at the Rich Theater in the Woodruff Arts Center. 
Mr. Pallotta disagrees with the restrictions imposed on nonprofits. He argues that nonprofits must be allowed to use the tools of commerce and that the public needs to reconsider its perspective on the costs of fundraising and marketing and overhead ratios.

In a lively give and take, panelists will challenge Pallotta’s ideas, such as the appropriateness of using standard business strategies to create robust and healthy charities.

Panelists include:        

• Joe Bankoff, Moderator, President and CEO, Woodruff Arts Center
• Bill Bolling, Founder and Executive Director, Atlanta Community Food Bank
• Martin Lehfeldt, Author and Former President, Southeastern Council of Foundations
• Milton J. Little, Jr., President and CEO, United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta
• Carol Naughton, Vice President for Communities, New Community Ventures, LLC

Continental breakfast will be served beginning at 8:00 am followed by Mr. Pallotta’s presentation at 8:45 am.  There will be time for questions and answers as well as a book signing at 11:00 am; copies of the book will be available for purchase.

The event is co-hosted by Alston + Bird LLP, The Foundation Center-Atlanta, Nonprofit Studies Program at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, The Southeastern Council of Foundations, The Woodruff Arts Center, and the  United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. 

RSVP or questions should go to RSVPdanpallotta@woodruffcenter.org or 404-733-4285.

Additional resources about Mr. Pallotta’s ideas concerning nonprofit management include:

• Irvin, Renee. “The Double Standard,” Stanford Social Innovation Review, Spring 2009.
• Kristof, Nicholas D. “The Sin in Doing Good Deeds,” New York Times, December 24, 2008

Kayron Bearden, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta