SPRING 2014

Seasons of Giving

Connect. Impact. Advance.

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and the 2014 Fall Conference for Community Foundations. It also features important work being undertaken by our members on issues affecting veterans and military families. Every day, I find inspiration in the heartfelt stories of impact from members like you. Your stories ani-mate our work. We exist to expand, enhance, and sustain your ability to advance lives in the communi-ties you serve. I hope you enjoy the newsletter. As always, I thank you for your ongoing support and membership.

AWARD PROGRAMSPAGES 4-5

DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY PAGES 6-7

CONFERENCESPAGE 3

On behalf of the Council on Foundations, I would like to welcome you to the first edi-tion of the Seasons of Giving Newsletter. This quarterly update provides information on our many efforts to build knowledge and commu-nity in the field and maintain a strong voice for philanthropy in Washington.

The Council’s spring newsletter highlights several stories of what members can achieve through partnership and collaboration. In particular, it highlights the recent success of Philanthropy Week in Washington and pro-vides updates on the 2014 Annual Conference

IN THIS ISSUE

PRESIDENT’S WELCOMEVIKKI SPRUILL, PRESIDENT AND CEO

VIEW FROM WASHINGTON PAGE 8

KNOWLEDGE CENTER PAGE 9

#CF100PAGES 10-11

For more information on conferences, contact membership@cof.org.

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NEW EXPERIENCE Join us June 8-10 in Washington, DC, as we discuss the role of philanthropy in an increasingly polarized and fractured society.

EXCITING SPEAKERS Daniel Lee and Gwen Ifill join a growing list of special guests and leaders from across the field as we discuss issues affecting our nation.

FAMILY PHILANTHROPY Enjoy programming specific to family foundations and new opportunities for field-wide discussions of common issues.

REGISTER & SAVE Register before April 30 and save $200. Visit www.cof.org/2014annual or call 888-665-9915 to register today!

2014 FALL CONFERENCE FOR COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS

COMMEMORATE 100 YEARS OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP Meet in the home of the world’s first community foundation, The Cleveland Founda-tion. Join philanthropic leaders and community foundation colleagues from around the world to examine the future of place-based philanthropy. Learn more at www.cof.org/2014fall and participate in the conversation at #CF100.

October 19-22 | Preconference October 18-19 | Cleveland, Ohio

2014 ANNUAL CONFERENCE: PHILANTHROPY EXCHANGEJune 8-10 | Preconference June 6-7 | Washington, DC

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COUNCIL AWARDS PROGRAM

KAVITA RAMDAS President and CEO, Global Fund for Women

GERALDINE MANNION Director of the US Democ-racy Program, Carnegie Corporation of New York

TARYN HIGASHI Executive Director, Unbound Philanthropy

THEOPHILUS GREGORY Senior Vice President, El Pomar Foundation

Past Scrivner Award Winners

MICHELE PRICHARD Director, Common Agenda, Liberty Hill Foundation

KATHRYN MERCHANT President and CEO, Greater Cincinnati Foundation

ROBERT HOHLER Executive Director, Melville Charitable Trust

ROBERT ECKARDT Executive Vice President, The Cleveland Foundation

Past Distinguished Service Award Winners

The Distinguished Service Award, philanthropy’s highest honor, celebrates a visionary leader who in-spires and embodies the qualities that define absolute excellence in philanthropy including commitment, courage, entrepreneurship, and impact.

Now accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award and the Robert Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking.

The Scrivner award, established in honor of the late Robert Winston Scrivner, honors an innovative grantmaker who, with a combination of vision, principle, and personal commitment, is making a critical difference in a creative way. The award recognizes an individual who demonstrates collaboration, risk, and innovation in the sector.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

SCRIVNER AWARD FOR CREATIVE GRANTMAKING

Learn more and submit nominations at www.cof.org/awards.

HUD & USDA AWARD PROGRAMTHE HUD AND USDA SECRETARIES’ AWARD FOR PUBLIC-PHILANTHROPIC PARTNERSHIPS

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and Vikki Spruill with recipients of the 2013 HUD Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Council on Foundations, announce the 2014 Secretaries’ Award for Public-Philan-thropic Partnerships.

The goal of the Secretaries’ Award is to recognize partnerships that have transformed the relationship between the public and philanthropic sectors through increased economic employment, health, safety, education, sustainability, inclusivity and cultural opportunities, or housing access. Moreover, the award highlights collective impact in increasing the quality of life for low and moderate-income Americans across urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Awards will be presented at the Council’s Fall Conference for Community Foundations in Cleveland.

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For more information, contact Brian Horn at brian.horn@cof.org.

Now accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award and the Robert Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking.

and their families. A group of community foundations, led by the Lincoln Community Foundation, answered the call by coordinating the development of a model for community foundation intervention and for the establish-ment of a network of foundations that could build capacity. The participating community foundations on this project included: Califor-nia Community Foundation, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Miami Foundation, The Dallas Foundation, Gulf Coast Community Foundation, and San Antonio Area Foundation.

An example of effective collaboration can also be found in 2012 when the Council and the Blue Shield of California Foundation assembled a select group of philanthropic colleagues, federal officials, and nonprofit leaders to discuss how philanthropy can help returning veterans transi-tion back into their communities.

The conversation led ten foundations, a regional association, and an affinity group to form the Council’s Veterans Philanthropy Advisory Group, co-chaired by Don Cooke of the McCor-mick Foundation and Peter Long of Blue Shield of California Foundation. This group has guided the Council on the positioning of the philan-thropic sector in national policy discussions on veterans support.

Due to combat and separation during the longest period of war in American history, many soldiers brought high levels of stress into their house-holds, affecting their safety and the well-being of their families. As the largest funder of domestic violence prevention in the state, Blue Shield of

Americans are proud of their men and wom-en in uniform and quick to honor the sac-rifices made while they are serving overseas, but too often we forget that the sacrifices do not end when they return home. More than 2.6 million U.S. military personnel, includ-ing close to one million National Guard members and Reservists, have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001. While they transition home, we must be mindful of the burden they carry and remember that for too many a new struggle has just begun.

Areas like wellness, education, and employ-ment pose obstacles for many veterans and military families as they return to civilian life, but foundations have stepped up to address these needs. Grantmakers across the country now have innovative programs that seize new opportunities to integrate support for veterans, military spouses, and children. Furthermore, the urgency and complexity of these issues create valuable opportunities for funders to partner and coordinate across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

By working together through public-private partnerships, foundations can revive local organizations, navigate rigid bureaucracy, and synchronize efforts to create lasting and transformative change.

At the Council’s 2010 Annual Conference in Denver, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen called foundations to action in support of veterans

DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY: SUPPORTING THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED

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Rise and Shine - U.S. Marine Corps - Sgt. Austin Hazard

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California took the opportunity to examine this issue deeper. Blue Shield of California’s in-state work paints a vivid picture of what coordinated impact looks like. Local service organizations’ lack of awareness and understanding of military culture prompted Blue Shield of California to utilize public-private partnerships to implement routine veteran cultural competency training for police officers, domestic violence service providers, and mental health clinicians in a dozen California counties. Thanks to their efforts, military service providers have integrated tools for domestic violence prevention into their family support resources.

Because of their work, Blue Shield of California was able to provide the most comprehensive docu-mentation and research into veteran mental health since the Vietnam War. Moreover, they have helped position domestic violence as a key issue policymakers consider when developing legislation to support service members and their families.

If we want to create meaningful pathways for vet-erans and their families as they return to civilian life, we need all hands on deck.

The national Joining Forces Initiative, led by the First Lady Michele Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, con-tinues to encourage citizens to volunteer and com-

mit to helping achieve successful transitions for veterans and their families. Philanthropy, however, can play a critical role by identifying sustainable funding streams and developing new partnerships in communities across America. As evidenced by these examples of collaboration, philanthropy can fuel innovative and effective programming and im-prove alignment of investments across the public and private sector to enhance collective impact on key issues affecting veterans and their families.

Whether your foundation focuses on issues of homelessness, unemployment, mental health ser-vices, or family housing, embracing public-private partnerships can provide necessary resources and expertise that can be effectively shared to better serve those who have given so much in service to our great nation.

On April 30, the Council will launch a new online resource for foundations that assist our men and women in uniform. This tool will offer a platform that enables funders to connect with peers, share insight and knowledge, and receive access to real time information on emerging public policy and federal programs.

For more information, contact Stephanie Powers at stephanie.powers@cof.org.

Marines Through the Ages - U.S. Marine Corps - Lance Cpl. Matthew Bragg

To feature your story in Seasons of Giving, contact Calvin Harris at calvin.harris@cof.org.

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In collaboration with the Council, the House and Senate

Caucus chairs, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Con-gressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH-12) and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA-5), will host a series of discussions and briefings on the vital role of philanthropy in America. This dialogue will provide Congress with a means

to engage with the philanthrop-ic sector on a broad range of issues, including ways in which philanthropy works in collabo-ration with states and the federal government to address complex social issues within local com-munities across the country.

PHILANTHROPY CAUCUSES

VIEW FROM WASHINGTONThe Council is working closely with Members of Congress and their staff to ensure that tax reform will allow philanthropy to continue to thrive. By col-laborating with colleagues in the field and collecting stories of impact, we are building the case for philanthropy.

House Ways and Means Chair-man Dave Camp’s (R-MI-4) proposed a bill that makes many changes to how foundations can do business—including new UBIT rules, a simplified private foundation excise tax, a 5-year payout for donor advised funds, and the repeal of Type II and Type III supporting organiza-

tions. It also makes the charita-ble deduction available to fewer taxpayers and reduces its value for those who can still claim it. The Council is also pushing Congress to renew the expired charitable “tax extenders”, especially the IRA charitable rollover.

COUNCIL TO IRS: PROPOSED 501(C)(4) REGULATIONS GO TOO FAR “We are highly concerned that the proposed rules would chill the civic engagement efforts of 501(c)(3) organizations as well as deprive the public of invaluable tools to create an informed and active democratic citizenry.”

~Vikki Spruill, President and CEO

TAX REFORM: WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

COUNCIL RALLIES PHILANTHROPY AROUND TAX POLICYIn March, the Council, along with our partners at the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers and the Alliance for Charitable Reform, as-sembled over 200 leaders from across the country for Philan-thropy Week in Washington.

Chairman Camp’s tax reform proposal provided a perfect

platform for participants to de-liver key messages to lawmakers: Thriving Philanthropy Equals Thriving Communities; Tax Policy Matters; and Commu-nity Philanthropy-Community Solutions.

For a recap of the week, visit www.cof.org/pwdc-highlights.

For weekly updates on policy issues, sign up for Washington Snapshot at govt@cof.org.

COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS 9

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTHAVE A QUESTION? WANT AN ANSWER? PROBLEM SOLVED. THE COUNCIL’S KNOWLEDGE CENTER We encourage our members to acquaint themselves with the Knowledge Center. The Council on Foundations’ Knowledge Center is a free member ben-efit, which offers a centralized information hub and access to an experienced team well-versed in foundation management. Whether you’re a large com-munity foundation or a small family philanthropy, the Knowl-edge Center team can provide background information on best practices, sample templates,

conference registration, publica-tions, and website log-in.

No matter the question, the Knowledge Center is here to connect you with the right people and resources to help you achieve your mission. Our team of professionals are on hand to answer your questions.

If you are a Council member, please call us at 703.879.0645 or email your inquiry to us at membership@cof.org.

Recent requests for information included:

• Insight on membership and benefits

• Questions on current publications

• Guidance in partnering with local government

• Inquiries on industry best practices and peer activities

• Requests for sample letter templates, benchmarking data, and legal information

DID YOU KNOW? • There are 1.9 million children, ranging in ages from newborn to 18 years old, who are the children of military families— 1.3 million of whom are school-aged.• Of military children, 765,000 have Active duty parents, and 225,000 have a parent who is currently deployed.• 73,000 service members are active duty single parents, and 40,000 are active duty dual military parents.

Source: ourmilitary.mil

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BROOKLYN’S BOOM BRINGS CHANGE AND CRISIS TO SOME

“We need more agency for people in communities, not just people with money. We’re giving so much voice to new people moving in...My grandmother shouldn’t have to battle to keep her apartment.”

These words were spoken by Donovan, a 16-year-old resident of East New York, last month in a roundtable meeting with young men from neighborhoods across Brooklyn.

Donovan is among the nearly 800 Brooklynites participat-ing in Brooklyn Insights—a project the Brooklyn Commu-nity Foundation launched in January to convene a Borough-wide discussion on Brooklyn’s future: the pressing needs of our neighborhoods, opportunities for change, and strategies for collective action.

These conversations are laying the groundwork for a new ap-proach to supporting communi-ty-led solutions at the Brooklyn Community Foundation, building upon our communities’ strengths and experience.

If you haven’t heard, Brooklyn is hot, and it’s changing, rap-idly. Brooklyn has become the epicenter of a new generation of young people flocking to cities, starting new businesses, buying and fixing up homes, and raising families. It has also become a destination for Manhattanites looking for human-scale, family-friendly, lower-density places to live.

The branding of Brooklyn has led to an explosion of real estate development and exponential increases in the cost of living, and rendered numerous neigh-borhoods virtually unrecogniz-able from just a few years ago. For some, the changes in Brook-lyn have been a windfall, but for most, change is precipitating a crisis—especially for nearly half of all residents who are living at or below the poverty line.Brooklyn includes more than 2.6 million people living in

70 neighborhoods. We’ve got energy, diversity, history, pride, and of course, an NBA team. But we also have deeply entrenched challenges. One in three Brooklyn children is grow-ing up in a household making less than $23,000 a year. Of the 10 poorest census tracts in New York City, five are in Brooklyn.

And now, Brooklyn has the third highest rate of income inequality in the country.

When I joined the Founda-tion last September as its new President and CEO, I knew I had a tough job ahead of me. How do we truly understand a place as big and as complex as Brooklyn—and shape programs that can have a genuine impact here?

I lived in Brooklyn for over 25 years, and yet I had a lot to learn. That’s why, while attending the Council on Foundation’s 2013 Fall Conference for Community Foundations, it was a revelation to hear the stories of places like Humboldt County, Denver, and Dubuque, where community foundations have become agents of sustainable transformation by

By Cecilia Clarke, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Community Foundation

The Council is proud to mark the 100th anniversary of the nation’s first community foundation, The Cleveland Foundation, by celebrating the impact of the first century of community philanthropy and looking ahead to the next 100 years. As we prepare for the Community Foundation Conference on October 19-22, the Council is highlighting stories of how community foundations around the world are addressing critical local and regional issues. To learn more, visit www.cof.org/cf100.

#CF100: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CENTENNIAL

COUNCIL ON FOUNDATIONS 11

BROOKLYN’S BOOM BRINGS CHANGE AND CRISIS TO SOMEcontinuedengaging and empowering real experts—their local residents.

I came back from the conference ready for action. I learned that community engagement has im-plications far beyond how we do grantmaking. It also shapes how we support leaders, and become stronger community leaders our-selves. It’s the critical factor that will give our work an authentic point of view and direct us to where we can have a substantial, lasting impact by lifting up what is already succeeding in our communities.

Brooklyn Insights has been a tremendously generative process, fully supported by our Board and donors. In just three months, we’ve sat down with over 400 residents, leaders, advocates, and entrepreneurs. In addition to nearly 20 sector-based roundtables (like Crimi-nal Justice, Immigration, and Arts Education), we’ve hosted a dozen neighborhood meetings (some in two languages) and

have been welcomed into living rooms, schools, and community centers.

The objective in each conversa-tion is the same: discover what is working and what more needs to change.

The truly beautiful part of Brooklyn Insights is affirming how much all Brooklynites have in common. No matter the meeting topic, the neighbor-hood, or the people at the table, Brooklynites believe in their neighborhoods and share similar hopes and fears tied to afford-ability, opportunities for youth, community spaces, equity, and government policy. Exciting directions for the Foundation’s future work are emerging, and in the process we’ve met phenomenal leaders and gained countless new partners.

As we move forward, here are just a few of the questions we keep coming back to:

• What are the elements of community strength?• What is the role of beauty in people’s lives?• How do we stimulate co-ordination among siloed city services?• Is investment in youth a vec-tor for multiple social justice issues?

We plan to complete this cur-rent phase of Brooklyn Insights in June, and we will release a full report on our findings over the summer. In order to be transpar-ent about our process and find-ings, we are charting the entire project at www.BrooklynInsights.org and on social media with #BrooklynInsights.

We don’t want Brooklyn’s future to be determined by a select few, but with diverse Brooklynites at the decision-making tables, in-cluding energetic and thought-ful young people like Donovan.

To share your story, contact us at cf100@cof.org.

MISSIONThe Council on Foundations’ mission is to provide the opportunity, leadership, and tools needed by philanthropic organizations to expand, enhance, and sustain their ability to advance the common good.

VISIONThe Council on Foundations is a strategic leader that raises issues of shared interest, expands the thinking about our field, builds collaborative efforts, and breaks down barriers that stand in the way of effective and dynamic philanthropy.

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IMPORTANT CONTACTSVikki Spruill, President and CEO president@cof.org Renée Branch, Vice President of Partnerships renee.branch@cof.org Peter Panepento, Senior Vice President of Knowledge and Community peter.panepento@cof.org Vince Rodriguez, Vice President ofMember Experience, Diversity and Inclusion, vince.rodriguez@cof.org Jesse Salazar, Vice President of Communications jesse.salazar@cof.org Sue Santa, Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Legal Affairs sue.santa@cof.org To receive weekly updates on the latest Council news, contact membership@cof.org to sub-scribe to This Week at the Council.

To receive weekly updates on the latest policy news affecting philanthropy, contact govt@cof.org to subscribe to Washington Snapshot. For more information on Seasons of Giving, contact Calvin Harris at calvin.harris@cof.org.