August 17, 2020
We’re Still Here
We’re still here and so is the despicable pandemic which is having a terrible effect on funders, donors and especially the people who need support to make it through.
All of us older folks did made it through the last downturn in 2009-2011, when Just like now, thousands and thousands of people and the organizations that supported them are dying.
But somethings has changed since 2009-2011. Recently, a former student of mine reminded me that in 2010, a major foundation CEO publicly remarked:
“In light of reduced grantmaking budgets, support the strong ones
and let the weak ones merge”
I’m not sure what percent of funders would accept this strategy now (probably still more than half). But there are lots of funders who are eager to open their eyes, ears, and funding processes to new ways. For example:
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A group of young Twin City artists of color have been meeting regularly with local arts funders to talk about how larger funders can support small arts groups gain access from their coffers. Some funders have dropped out, but a bunch have stuck around.
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We’ve challenged all kinds of foundations to accept unsolicited requests (you know, “unsolicited proposals will not be accepted”), especially from smaller, less well known groups. So far, three progressive funders and four less progressive groups have accepted the challenge and opened up their grantmaking to less well-known groups
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PEAK Grantmaking, an affinity group of progressive program officers and funders recently published Principles for PEAK Grantmaking – Driving Equity, a few guidelines for funders who want to be, but are not sure how to be engaged. Interesting
The pandemic won’t make grantmaking perfect, but at least the topic is on the table now.
Half Hour of Love… Come talk to us. We’re still offering thirty minutes of phone time to talk about anything bugging you, worrying you, or just keeping you curious. Some focus want to know about fundraising strategies, some want to know about specific funders and others just need to talk. We’re open for ad-free chat and advice.
Speaking of Affinity Groups…these funder trade associations have mutual geographic and interest areas, such as statewide funding, education, environment, aging, immigrants. If you’re thinking about expanding your solicitation to national funders, consider visiting Affinity Group websites to see:
- Who their members are (not all publish member lists, but many do).
- What trends, topics, and language they’re using right now. Their interest might be yours
- Which groups have open memberships to non-funding groups
- If/when their annual conventions/conferences are. Not so much this year, but many are holding on-line annual meetings, that are sometimes open to you (those coffee breaks and end-of-the-day cocktail hours are killer meeting times)
Many of Access Philanthropy clients have scored great contacts and several good-sized grants from these conferences and the conversations that happen afterward.
Here are a few affinity groups that publish their membership list. But remember, publishing their names doesn’t mean they are open to talking with you. They’re just new untried prospect names.
Faster than Pronto Pups at the State Fair… Our online database of 1550+ Minnesota Relevant Funders continues to sell faster than, well pronto pups at the State Fair. $250 for 12 months of 1550+ in-depth profiles. Offer ends 8/31. Click here to subscribe.
Funds and People
GHR Foundation – one of the great local Rauenhorst/Opus related funds is looking for an Education Program Associate.
Borealis Philanthropy – a donor-advised-fund style progressive funder based in the Twin Cities is looking for a new President.
The Gill Foundation - the Denver-based grandparent of LGBTQ funders needs a new Program Officer, Grants Manager, Communications Assistant and Accountant.
Our Mistake… Last week we talked about Otto Bremer Trust’s upcoming deadlines. Only the September 22nd deadline is real. The other deadlines are a little like the Gopher’s 2021 Rose Bowl dreams – nice ideas, but ain’t going happen this year. Our apologies. And, we wish the best ending for the nasty OBT difficulties. One of the best funders in Minnesota, deserves peace.
Nevertheless, They Persisted -- If We Were Together This week… We would join in a big toast to the 100th anniversary of the day the 19th amendment become part of the U.S. Constitution and guaranteed women the right to vote (August 26). But then someone would bring up the current Post Office fiasco and we would remember
We must keep persisting and persisting and persisting.
Next Week: Our Special MacKenzie Scott (Bezos) Edition.
Have a good week.
