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News Rack

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Rural Philanthropy
Rural Health Information Hub has some good insights in its new report, Challenges Rural Organizations May Face in Seeking Philanthropy Support.
Funder Affinity Groups
Funder affinity groups are ongoing open-facing collaborations of grantmakers interested in a specific area of grantmaking (health, environment, K-12 education, for example). Inside Philanthropy explains Affinity Groups:
A group or network of funders that come together around a shared interest.
Circles where funders can interact, and often collaborate, to maximize impact.
There is a funder affinity group for about every community or issue imaginable.
Most affinity groups are hosted by a larger organization, such as the Minnesota Council of Foundations. We thought we would jump on the wagon and provide a couple links for affinity groups sponsored by the national Council of Foundations and Minnesota Council of Foundations:
Implications for Grantseekers:
  • As a prospecting resource, lists of affinity group foundation members are a good way to find out which funders are interested in K-12 funding or homelessness.
  • Also as a prospecting tool, sometimes affinity groups will list the names of program officers who represent the foundation at the affinity group table. Good to know which program officers are serious about health issues.
  • Often affinity groups will talk about upcoming conferences or webinars. It’s good to know what issues are in the forefront of climate change funders and what kind of language and terms funders are using.

FUNDING NOTES May ’22

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Target Foundation Funding Opportunity: Racial Equity Grants. This opportunity is up to $200,000 in general operating support, with an opportunity to request support over two years for BIPOC-led organizations. Four priorities:

  • Entrepreneurship and Small Business
  • Workforce Development
  • Housing
  • Asset Building

The Foundation supports organizations that improve the asset building opportunities available to traditionally marginalized communities, especially those that are engaged in work to increase financial inclusion, wealth building and overall financial health.

Mortenson Family Foundation is making three key changes to its grantmaking process:
  • Schedule a 30 minute call with Community Relationship Officer Ambar Hanson (for Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families grants) or Danyelle O’Hara (for Sustaining Environmental Systems grants).
  • Share updates on the outcomes you stated you want to accomplish in your 2021 application. No more budget reports.
  • If you have an annual report that includes last year’s outcomes, the foundation can use that report.[1]
  • We applaud the Mortensons for streamlining grantseeking for nonprofits.

This may confuse some applicants- there is a different process/contact depending on grant.
See: mortensonfamily.org/explore-partnership/

Huntington Bancshares (which merged with TCF) announced it wants to be the largest SBA funder in the Twin Cities market. No small feat, since climbing to #1 in SBA loans means creating A LOT of general banking business – both consumer and corporate lines. In turn, this means a lot more presence in the Twin Cities and lots more community investments, including Community Reinvestment funds. Consequently, more funding for community causes. Watch these folks, especially, Marcio Thompson, Community Development Relationship Manager.
Groundbreak Coalition – You’ll be hearing about these folks and the $2 billion they’re investing in thousands of BIPOC homeowners, businesses, rental units, and commercial developments in the neighborhoods most affected by the George Floyd protests. Th effort is led by representatives of major regional and national foundations, including the McKnight, Minneapolis, and Bush Foundations, our Twin Cities Mayors, several banks (PNC, Sunrise, Wells Fargo, US Bank, JPMorgan, and others), Chambers of Commerce, the Center for Economic Inclusion, Hennepin and Ramsey counties, and several private businesses.

Our Favorite Dysfunctional Financial Corporation – Our friends at Otto Bremer Trust are getting things together with the help of Ramsey County District Judge Robert Awsumb. Two big things:

  • The judge removed trustee Brian Lipschultz from the OBT board of trustees. Read the Star Trib article here.
  • The judge said the trustees could still move forward with the proposed sale of Bremer Bank, one of the things that started the relationship meltdown between the trustees and the bank official.

Lots of questions about the remaining trustees’ ongoing interest in selling the bank. But there’s no question that someone would be willing to pay big bucks for it, its presence in four states and its great relations with local (rural and urban) communities.

One of the top current bidders is Huntington Bank (the new TCF). Would Huntington keep up OBT’s community grants and outreach programs? They don’t have a history in their own banking practices, but maybe.

Meantime, the trust’s grantmaking operation remains remarkable, one of the best, if not the best, in Minnesota. April announcement of $7.3 million to 96 organizations.

James R. Thorpe Foundation, one of our favorite local funders, offers funding twice a year, once for youth and once for seniors. Youth requests are due June 15. Most grants are in the $6,000 to $12,000 range.
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council  — This is the voter-approved State of Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund, one of four funds created by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Deadline May 27, 2022.
G4GC’s Black Girl Freedom Fund (BGFF) is part of the Grantmakers for Girls of Color network. In only its second round of grants, BGFF awarded $4 million to 68 groups nationwide
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation issued its first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Progress Report. Will such reports become a standard annual thing for major foundations? We hope so.

Minneapolis Foundation – has three news items on grants made or grants to come:

Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation – another tried and true Metro area family foundation, the Butler Family Foundation continues to grow in financials and in wisdom. Although we aren’t crazy about the closed Invited Grants program, we understand this is a generations old family fund with its own family traditions. See the latest round of grants.

A Few Other National Opportunities:

US Agency for International Development recently announced plans to invest $50 million in global childcare infrastructure. USAID will invest $50 million in the World Bank’s Childcare Incentive Fund to expand global access to quality childcare and early learning programs.

People on the Move:

We welcome CEDRICK BAKER, the McKnight Foundation’s new Chief of Staff, who recently served as Chief of Staff for Saint Paul Public Schools. NA ENG, previously Communications Director at the McKnight Foundation, has been named new Chief Communications Officer at People for the American Way (PFAW).

ISO Director of Development for cancer research

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Organization: Rein in Sarcoma

Position: Director of Development

Compensation: $70,000 – $80,000

https://www.reininsarcoma.org/

CONTACT

[email protected]

Access Philanthropy is pleased to conduct the search for a Director of Development for Rein in Sarcoma.

Organization Background

Rein In Sarcoma, (RIS) is a leading resource for patients and families touched by sarcoma cancers. Sarcomas are an uncommon and often lethal group of bone and soft tissue cancers that may strike both children and adults. While rare among adults (less than 2% of all cancers), sarcomas are one of the most common cancers among children and young adults (17%).  Sarcomas are often diagnosed late or misdiagnosed contributing to its high mortality rate. We work in collaboration the Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota to carry our mission of sarcoma education, patient and family support.  Education relationships are beginning in Wisconsin at The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and University of Wisconsin Madison College of Medicine. In addition, Rein in Sarcoma (RIS), works in partnership with the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic and Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota to fund innovative, collaborative and high impact research.

RIS is the largest sarcoma foundation in the Midwest. It is a Minnesota Nonprofit tax exempt (501c3) organization and meets all of the Minnesota Charities Review Council’s standards.

Since its creation in 2001, the foundation has been led by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported by the efforts of hundreds of volunteers. Rein In Sarcoma has reached thousands of people and raised more than $2 million for sarcoma cancer research.  In July of 2017, an Executive Director with strong relationships in the RIS community was hired. Office space is located in Fridley, MN.

RIS has developed a fundraising plan in partnership with an external consultancy organization. The current objective is to hire a contract Director of Development to implement the development framework and expand relationships with community members, businesses and foundations.

Mission

Rein In Sarcoma Foundation is dedicated to:

  • Educating the public and medical community about sarcoma cancers
  • Supporting sarcoma patients and their loved ones
  • Funding research directed toward developing new treatments and finding a cure for sarcoma cancers

Key Responsibilities

As the sole development staff leader, the Development Director reports to the executive director and is staff member to the Development Committee comprised of motivated, dedicated volunteers.  In collaboration with the Development Committee Chair and members, the Development Director is responsible for implementing the comprehensive 2018 development plan and time line. Ensuring funds from individuals and corporations meet goals to support programming and operations in order to sustain and grow a dynamic, diversified organization. They are to empower and collaborate with a strong team of volunteer leaders and build relationships with existing donors to achieve the goals of the organization. Their work is guided by the mission (above), which articulates the strategic direction.

  • Strengthen overall fundraising capacity by building upon our previously approved fundraising plan.
  • Implement an integrated fundraising program including:
  • Institutional fund development: grant seeking, sponsorships, annual giving
  • Individual fund development: direct mailing, high net worth individuals (HNWI), named funds, monthly donations, long term estate planning, fundraising event management
  • Strengthen and sustain relationships with current donors and partners.
  • Recruit, orient, and train volunteers to support fundraising events and activities

Required Qualifications

    • Demonstrated results in nonprofit fundraising (corporate and foundation solicitation, grant writing, individual fundraising, event management)
    • Proven ability to develop strong relationships both internally and externally. Able to consistently build rapport with board volunteers, community donor base, as well as organizational leaders.
    • Proven ability to achieve results while managing a variety of projects and deadlines.
    • Excellent verbal/written communication and effective presentation skills.
    • Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
    • Experience with Salesforce, maintaining fundraising and constituent management database.
    • Discretion in handling and securing confidential information, as well as the ability to conduct oneself in a highly professional manner.
    • Oversees management of development expenses, budgets and goals.
    • Incorporates new technologies, research methods, and trends to ensure long term relationships

with existing and new donors.

  • Provides objective and insightful feedback to strengthen the work of staff and volunteers carrying

out the organization’s mission.

  • Promotes and supports a positive culture in the office and inspires sarcoma community in the field.
  • 5 years of development/fundraising experience
  • 4-year college degree
  • Ability to work occasional weekend and evening events as required
  • Successfully complete a background check
  • Licensed with the State of Minnesota

 

Preferred Experience

  • Fundraising with health-related nonprofits, sarcoma or underserved diseases
  •  Increasing donations in multi-approach strategy
  • Preparing and editing effective marketing materials

 

Compensation

The annual compensation range is $70,000 – $80,000.

Rein in Sarcoma affirms its social and legal commitment to promote an atmosphere and environment that recognizes the principle and practice of equal employment opportunity. As such, Rein in Sarcoma does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, status with regards to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission or citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

How To Apply 

Submit cover letter and resume to Access Philanthropy, at [email protected].

The search committee will accept applications on a rolling basis with a final deadline to apply of March 25, 2022.

DOWNLOAD THE JOB DESCRIPTION

Contact us

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Need a sounding board for your development ideas? Need promising new ideas from the philanthropic sector? Need someone to think about the big picture or the day-to-day fundraising stuff? AP crew members offer 30-minute chats for free.

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Research and Workshops

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Small Family Foundation Giving in Minnesota Workshop

Presented by the MN Council of Nonprofits – Tuesday, June 28, 2022, 01:00 PM – 04:00 PM

Link to Small Family Foundation workshop materials

Small family foundations are defined as giving less than $1M, annually. More than 1,000 of these foundations support Minnesota nonprofits.

In this three-hour Virtual Live/Online Event:

  • Access Philanthropy president Steve Paprocki will deliver information and insight on Small Family Foundations that fund in MN; what they are funding, what they want from you, and how to approach them – first steps, strategies, and building relationships. His presentation will include a deeper look at 30 of these foundations.
  • A discussion with three nonprofit Executive Directors about their experiences with Small Family Foundations: Darrell Thompson (Bolder Options); Bill Roddy (Osiris), and Linda Her (Asian American Organizing Project).
  • Small group breakout sessions, facilitated by Access Philanthropy advisors and community contacts, with focus on Arts; Education; Human Services & Health, and other sectors.

This events includes 100+ funder profiles in a complementary book and AP online database (two-week access), and the presentation powerpoint.

Register at the MN Council of Nonprofits website  LINK

Sample Powerpoint Slide from Workshop
Sample Funder Profile from Book

AP Philanthropy Landscape Reports

Cryptocurrency and Philanthropy

Read the report

Mental Health Funding Trends in Minnesota

Read the Report

AP Workshop Materials

The following pages are password protected. Codes were provided to attendees. If you have misplaced yours, and are experiencing trouble accessing the materials, please contact us at [email protected]
2021 National Foundations
2021 MCN Small Family Worksop Materials