Community Foundation Network Resource and Tool Exchange: How Does Your Philanthropic Advising Team Do That?

Posted on February 26, 2024

What tools and resources do other community foundations use in their philanthropic advising? What facilitation techniques do they use? How are they marketing their services? One of the takeaways from this year’s Community Foundations Network Workshop was that members want to share the resources that they use in their philanthropic advising work with colleagues at other community foundations. By sharing what works… Read More

Community Foundations Topical Call: Impact Investing: What Community Foundations Need to Know

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Stephanie Gripne, Casey Shultz, Renee Ferrufino

How can community foundations use impact investing strategies to amplify their mission and create change within their communities? Join Dr. Stephanie Gripne, CEO of the Impact Finance Center (IFC), for an introduction to: impact investing, financial innovation, and full spectrum capital. Discover how IFC supported community foundations in identifying impact investment opportunities within their grant portfolios and donor advised funds using… Read More

Community Foundations Topical Call: Telling the Story of your Community Foundation’s Philanthropic Services

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Nicolette Rea, Karen Hrdlicka, Tracy Burt, Jennifer Olson Curry

Community foundations have been serving giving families for many decades. Recently more and more community foundations have been re-examining how they are promoting the philanthropic services they offer to donor families. How have community foundations successfully marketed their services to encourage families to partner with them on their philanthropy? What are the changes that some community foundations have made that… Read More

Community Foundations Topical Call: Helping Donor Families Support Efforts to Strengthen Democracy and Increase Civic Engagement

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Ray Barrie-Kivel, Judy Altenberg, Kelly D. Nowlin

The United States is navigating a critical moment in our history as core principles and structures of democracy are under attack. The hyperpolarization of public discourse leaves smaller ground for effective policy formation on any issue. At the same time, however, there are movements across the country that are working to bridge divides, shore up and strengthen justice and equity… Read More

Community Foundations Topical Call: Playing Multiple Roles as a Philanthropic Advisor

Posted on February 14, 2024 by Daria Teutonico, Tony Macklin

As philanthropic services staff at community foundations, we’re called to play many, sometimes conflicting roles: order taker, steward, expert consultant, facilitator, influencer, salesperson, consigliere, and more. How can we effectively clarify and balance the expectations of these roles within and across the families we support? Can we be trusted advisors while influencing families’ giving in ways that align with our… Read More

Rural Funders Peer Network: Rural Libraries as Community Hubs

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Darryl Tocker, Stephanie Chase, Erin Borla, Wynn Rosser

Rural libraries are more than repositories of books. They are community anchors that are hubs of learning, connection and cultural enrichment. These libraries provide an array of services that cater to people of all ages, backgrounds and socioeconomic status. Young families, school kids and seniors alike are able to access information, educational support, and cultural enrichment, all in safe and inclusive spaces. [1] Libraries in… Read More

Engaging Youth Peer Network: Community Service as a Pathway to Youth Engagement

Posted on February 9, 2024 by John Dugan, Greg Weatherford II

What motivates youth to engage in and serve their communities? What kinds of support do youth need to become actively involved in their communities? Come learn about The Allstate Foundation’s work to empower youth to serve and improve communities led by The Allstate Foundation and Social Impact Managing Director Greg Weatherford II. Discuss with your peers how incorporating youth-led community… Read More

Engaging Youth Peer Network: Successful Methods for Engaging Youth in Family Philanthropy

Posted on February 7, 2024

While educating and encouraging youth to actively participate in philanthropy can be challenging, it can also be very rewarding. This conversation will center on the success stories of engaging youth. Join us to hear from Craig Kelley of the Kelley Foundation about what strategies and tools have been helpful in involving youth at his foundation. We will also have ample… Read More

Rural Funders Peer Network: Connecting with Peers to Share Successes and Opportunities

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Erin Borla, Wynn Rosser

Use this opportunity to share experiences of best practices for working in rural areas, discuss tactics and strategies, and connect with funding and partnering opportunities to leverage your investments and increase impact. This conversation will focus on successes and opportunities. Please come prepared to share! Some questions to consider: What initiatives are you attempting? What are you funding? What is… Read More