Thursday, March 19, 2009

Philanthropy's Response to the Economic Crisis


For those of you tracking how philanthropy is dealing with the economic crisis, here is a link from the Foundation Center that gives detailed information on how our nation's largest foundations are addressing the issue.  In some cases, you will see how foundations are "scaling-up" as opposed to reducing the size and scope of their portfolio to meet the needs of communities.

Take a look at how the Atlantic Philanthropies, Open Society Institute and MoveOn.org are mobilizing to assist nonprofits impacted by the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme.  

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Future for Nonprofits



In the midst of great economic challenge, there is also great opportunity to reflect on the future of the nonprofit sector.  Many nonprofits are in defense mode trying to weather the current economic tsunami while also trying to sustain a level of social services needed in their communities.  Other nonprofits are looking at the current economic crisis as an opportunity to reflect on scale and scope and identify ways to improve efficiencies--both as an organization and as a sector. 

Holly Sidford, principal consultant for the Helicon Collaborative proposes looking at the "Five A's" to evaluate the viability of institutional change proposals for any nonprofit contemplating transformation.  They include: 

Analysis and Anticipation:  Is the organization planning based on good research and solid projections--including the loss of significant revenue?

Attitude:  Is the organization projecting forward based on opportunities or are they focused on challenges putting them in retrenchment mode?

Adaptability:  "Is there a track record of flexibility, seizing new opportunities, willingness to let go of what no longer works?  In other words, can the organization evolve?"

Articulation:  How clear and concise is the plan moving forward?  Does it have broad stakeholder support?  Are there genuinely new approaches and strategies in the plan?

Audacity:  Is the approach as bold as the situation? 

Social entrepreneurs are chomping at the bit to generate innovative approaches to long-standing social issues.  Strategies such as service and volunteerism as a major infrastructure piece to support health care, education, after school and anti-poverty initiatives is one of the many proposal currently out there to assure that services in communities can be scaled-up with more human capacity.  You can also see that Sidford's 5 A's borrow from free market, private sector approaches to conducting business.  

The long-term viability of the nonprofit sector--much like the private sector--will require vision, innovation and most importantly, a solid business plan!  

Holly Sidford's 5 A's were taken from the Arts and Culture Blog produced by the Cleveland Foundation.  

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Tracking the Recovery Act

Sen. Jeff Bingaman's office offered up a quick tip for tracking opportunities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, otherwise known as the Recovery Act.  We have all heard of the incredible amount of money being reinvested in our country to stimulate the economy, rebuild our ailing infrastructure and redefine how our government goes about doing its business. What is less known, however, is just how the Recovery Act impacts state and local governments and businesses wishing to carve out opportunities through the legislation.  Here are a couple of easy steps to tracking progress and opportunities through the Recovery Act:

Recovery.gov.  Recovery.gov will give you a detailed account of how your taxpayer dollars are being spent.  There are also useful links on the page that allow you to share your story and track state progress and resources available through the Recovery Act.  

Federal Department/Recovery.  Each federal department has its own Recovery page.  For example, you can type in www.doe.gov/recovery to see how the Recovery Act impacts the Department of Energy or www.dol.gov/recovery to see how the act is being implemented by the Department of Labor.  Most importantly, most of the department Recovery pages will link you to funding opportunities available for government agencies, nonprofits and small businesses seeking to do business with the federal government. 

Hope you find this helpful!  

Monday, March 2, 2009

Go Get the Gardener

Looks like your tax dollars to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not exactly nabbing hardened criminals.  An editorial in today's LA Times sheds some light on some of our nation's misguided immigration enforcement efforts.  According to the article, U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 96,000 illegal immigrants from 2003-2008.  The Bush Administration increased ICE's budget during this time period by 1,300% to apprehend more illegal immigrants with criminal records.  

Here's the problem:  Almost three-quarters of immigrants arrested did not have a criminal background.  According the report, most were apprehended for illegal entry into the country and ignoring deportation orders.  Most of the immigrants apprehended were working in low-wage service jobs and were posing no real security threat to our country (Unless you see missing aprons and dishrags as a threat to national security).  

We understand that ICE has an enforcement job to do.  However, they may want to re-think their approach to immigration enforcement.  How about deporting hardened criminals that are currently in U.S. prisons?  How about stricter enforcement of cargo entering our borders?  

The senseless raids of workforce sites throughout the country to deport waitresses, car washers and food service workers is not sound security enforcement policy.