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In their own words, this is what D5 is about.

‘D5 is a five-year coalition to grow philanthropy’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2010, foundations and philanthropy organizations came together to form an unprecedented coalition of 18 infrastructure organizations and set a strategic agenda to help philanthropy become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The world is changing. We believe philanthropy should change with it. The ultimate goal of this work is to help foundations achieve greater impact in an increasingly diverse landscape.’

Among the resources that are provided is a study of 15-Successful-Diversity-Focused-Funds.

The PDF is found at http://www.d5coalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/Social-Catalysts-15-Successful-Diversity-Focused-Funds.pdf.

These are teh 15 funds studied:
1. Asian American Federation (New York)
2. Asian Pacific Fund (San Francisco)
3. Asian Women’s Giving Circle (New York)
4. African American Legacy Initiative (Chicago)
5. Twenty-First Century Foundation (New York)
6. The Hispanic Development Fund (Kansas City, MO)
7. Hispanic Federation (New York)
8. Latino Community Foundation (San Francisco)
9. First Nations Development Institute (Longmont, CO)
10. Potlatch Fund (Seattle)
11. Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development (Arcata, CA)
12. Horizons Foundation (San Francisco)
13. Pride Foundation (Seattle)
14. Chicago Foundation for Women (Chicago)
15. Women’s Foundation of California (San Francisco)

Like other funders you may approach…Because a good case has been put forward that speaks their language:

‘The language of social responsibility and social justice’

If you missed last Thursday’s webinar with a wealth of information and insights on Labour Philanthropy: Union Giving 2012, Order the recording at http://recordinguniongiving.eventbrite.com/

Mechanical contractors, piping trades union donate $275,000 to Hamilton, Ontario hospitals

http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id51394/ohs

Union spokesmen cite tremendous value the hospitals provide to the community.

Funds are earmarked for

• MRI campaign at Hamilton General Hospital
• CIBC Breast Assessment Centre at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre,
• Special “chair glide”at McMaster Children’s Hospital
• A set of new wall-mounted “flip-down” chairs that provide a resting spot for elderly patients at St. Peter’s Hospital.

I found this Motown song ringing in my head after this morning’s AFP breakfast on Foundation Funding and how to get it.

The panel included representatives of the Vancouver Foundation, VanCity, United Way Lower Mainland and TELUS.

One of the presenters (VanCity) that has worked with the Demonstrating Value Project commented that the process of evaluation following a grant had been too onerous for charities.

I took the opportunity to ask the panel if any progress had been made in constructing a common evaluation form. Apparently, at least in these circles, it is being discussed but little progress has been made so far.

In the meantime, charities are encouraged to act as though no amount of work/time is too much if that is what the funder wants.

We are nearing the end of two decades of measuring outcomes, proving value and assuring the funder that their money has been well spent.

Have we gone too far? Is it time to rein in those expectations and take advantage of technical advances that could provide all the answers our donors need without spending all our precious time on this one aspect of our jobs?

Are we ready to ask our donors to commit to this endeavour?

There is not a lot of official infrastructure in Chile and Latin America currently for recycling such as the municipal programs that are now the norm in North America. That situation provides an opportunity for social enterprises (among others) to run a recycling business. UPASOL operates a free collection of household recyclables. The recycled material is then sold to companies that use the material in the recycling and production processes, generating profits for the organization and environmental benefits. The profits (currently over $60,000 per year) support disability rehabilitation programs. This group works with NESsT

Another example is a social enterprise named Recycla that recycles High-tech garbage — broken computers, mobile phones, fax machines etc. Much of it ends up in landfills and its components, which contain toxic chemicals, often contaminate groundwater and harm the environment. Led by CEO Fernando Nilo Nunez, Recycla employs former prisoners to recycle components of high-tech waste and deliver them to potential buyers. In this case the social benefit is job creation for a group that is chronically unemployed.

Both examples show both the business opportunity currently available in Chile that can deliver social benefit as well as financial return.

Excellent and timely Globe & Mail article http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/globe-to/microloans-for-mental-health-patients-rolling-out-across-ontario/article2449823/

By some estimates one in five cope with substance abuse or mental illness. For most of us, our work life looms large and provides identity as well as income. Holding a conventional job can be next to impossible for those subject to severe mood swings.

According to the Globe and Mail article today, ‘Joblessness among Canadians with severe disorders is sky high – 70 to 90 per cent, according to CAMH’. We know that working actually contributes to health in a clear and measurable way.

Self employment with its greater autonomy and flexibility can be a much better option.

The pilot micro-credit project run by the Rotman School of Management and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health over the past two years is an attempt to provide another solution.

With spotty work histories, those who chronically suffer with mental health issues and/or substance abuse are poor candidates for convential bank loans.

There are several examples given in the article of recipients of loans who have done exceptionally well and are starting to experience financial independence and the increased self esteem that comes with that.

No word yet on whether the program will continue once the pilot is complete but if these accounts are typical of the results seen, this should both continue and be emulated.

Social Benefit + Dollar Return

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/meet-the-canadian-billionaire-whos-giving-it-all-away/article2444154/

One of my favourite expat Canadian billionaires is Jeff Skoll. He was featured in Saturday’s Globe and Mail where he is described as giving away over one billion dollars already while shunning the limelight.

Yes he has signed the Gates/Buffett and is so far the only Canadian to have done so.

I am not sure I would agree that Jeff shuns the limelight. No one as involved in movie making as he is can be said to be really out of the news.

However, he is a very important example of entrepreneurship married to social vision and generosity. When he advises fellow billionaires, he does not tell them just to write cheques. He suggests instead that they invest in the kind of change they want to see.

This is another aspect of social enterprise. Will it eventually replace traditional philanthropy altogether?

On another note that might be related, a colleague was commenting this week on the kind of road cyclist who signs up for the long distance bike rides many charities hold. They remain popular and each rider hits up their friends for sponsorship. Profits go to the charity of course and they are good fundraisers using  third parties as the source of funds.

He fretted that these kinds of donors are not being stewarded for continuing support. After thinking about his comments, I question whether these riders (who are motivated more by the chance to do the ride than a desire to help the charity) are really donors at all.

Perhaps as charities, we should recognise them less as donors and more as customers. By providing a high quality event we may get them as repeat customers. Rather than seeking donations, perhaps they will eventually just pay a hefty entrance fee. They can fundraise for it of course. What would be the downside of turning some of these events into straight business propositions?

Increasingly where do we draw the line and is it important for us to do so?

Today I had the pleasure of hosting a webinar at conniehubbs.com on African American Giving. Diversity is one of my passions and I have been looking forward to hosting the session with Marybeth Gasman and Nelson Bowman III for some time. They are two of the America’s leading experts on the subject, and have published and present frequently.

They lived up to expectations, presenting thoughtful well resourced material on the potential and practice of African American Philanthropy.

Not too surprisingly, there is a wide diversity in the incomes and capacity to give in Black America and in many cases African Americans want to be seen and approached as philanthropists not just recipients of charity.

It turns out that in proportion to income, African Americans are the most generous group in America.

Why does this matter? I apply this to fund development because that is the sector I work in but it is really much bigger than that.

By inviting in those that are not already inside, we increase opportunities for ourselves. (In this context, identifying new supporters) Even more important, we create community and increase understanding and compassion in our world. We can’t afford not to do this!

I have been invited to join the Diversity Committee of AFP Vancouver and we meet for the first time next week.

What is the most valuable activity we could be doing? Stay tuned!

There is an interesting article in Today’s Chronicle of Philanthropy that highlights the Diversity Fellowship program provided by the Proteus Fund.

http://philanthropy.com/article/Giving-Minorities-a-Year-s/131698/?sid=pt&utm_source=pt&utm_medium=en

This is how Proteus describes the program’s goals.

‘The Diversity Fellowship is designed to increase the number of people of color in positions of leadership within philanthropy who are skilled grant makers using a lens of equity and inclusion, and to support grant making to communities of color that is more representative and effective.’

The Chronicle article highlights the experience of one fellowship recipient.

‘While running a program to help low-income students get mentors, Marie-Frances Rivera grew fascinated by how foundations decide whether to keep charitable endeavors like hers afloat.’

Ultimately she opts for a career as a grant writer putting into practice her insights from having worked ‘inside’.

This seems like a great approach. What else could we do to increase participation of persons of color in positions of leadership with non-profits and charities.

What will the impact of diversity leadership have on diversity fundraising?

Tune in to ‘African American Giving’ this Thursday May 24 for an up close look at what this may mean for Black Americans. http://africanamericangiving.eventbrite.com/