The NonProfit Times - July 1, 2008 - (Page 24)

CONFERENCE COVERAGE Continued from page 23 rights in places like Haiti. People should read the Declaration of Human Rights, and live by it, then it might not feel awkward to be described as a “human rights person.” Anthony Romero, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said his organization should really be considered a domestic human rights organization. “We might as well pack it in if the ACLU becomes the civil rights wing of the Democratic Party,” he said. Kumi Naidoo of Johannesburg, South Africa-based CIVICUS, described Africa as one of the richest continents -- under the ground -- yet one of the poorest above the ground. As many people are dying each day from HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis as five Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, he said.“We need each other. We must put the rights of rich countries on part with the rights of poor countries.” More than 1,250 members participated in “Power and Promise of Philanthropy,” a breakfast plenary where they first identified themselves to get an idea of who was represented at the conference, and later discussed how to increase the sector’s impact. By groups of 10 working with a facilitator, table discussions yielded ideas that were reviewed and prioritized before posted instantly on large screens around conference hall. As for increasing the sector’s impact, participants selected, in order of priority: • 22 percent, create strategic partnerships/collaborate across sectors/”Get egos out of the way”; • 15 percent, find ways to impact public policy; • 15 percent, take risks and invite innovation while supporting excellence; • 13 percent, share knowledge and ideas across silos and organizations; role/philanthropic funds cannot replace government funds; • 21 percent, bring philanthropy to the table/create a cabinet-level position for philanthropy; • 20 percent, leverage philanthropy’s expertise, flexibility and innovation; • 15 percent, allow innovation/don’t micromanage and over-regulate the sector; and, • 11 percent, value and engage new voices (stakeholders and citizens); and, • 9 percent, speak clearly about the value of philanthropy. With 2008 being an election year, discussion also focused on how the sector can make the most of the transition to a new president, with the following messages prioritized for the next president: • 22 percent, respect philanthropy’s • 10 percent, help grow philanthropy/tax code should make charitable giving a tax credit, not a deduction. Community foundations were represented the most during the breakfast plenary, with 27 percent of those polled, followed by private or independent foundations (24 percent), family philanthropy (18 percent), other (11 percent), corporate grantmaking (7 percent), advisor/consul- tant (5 percent), international philanthropic organization (3 percent), and new philanthropy (1 percent). Participants were relatively evenly split from around the nation, the fewest being from the West (20 percent) and the most from the Northeast (28 percent). Reflecting what some might say is the lack of diversity in the foundation world,and drawing some chuckles among attendees, almost three-quarters (74 percent) of participants identified themselves as Caucasian/white. About 11 percent identified themselves as African-American/black, 5 percent as Hispanic/Latino, 5 percent as Asian/Pacific islander, and 1 percent as Native American or Alaskan Native. About 3 percent reported being of two or more races and 1 percent as another racial heritage. Many of the participants in this year’s conference have worked in the philanthropic sector less than 10 years.About 34 percent reported working in the sector less than five years, and another 23 percent between 5 and 10 years. Only 16 percent said they’d been in the sector more than 20 years, and 23 percent between 11 and 20 years. Most participants indicated they were staff (65 percent) while a quarter (24 percent) as board, and 9 percent as consultant/advisor. Of those who were staff, 37 percent were CEO, executive director or president, and 31 percent were program staff. NPT Motivate and empower your board to get wholeheartedly involved in fundraising. This completely updated version of one of BoardSource’s best-selling books explains how board members, development officers, and chief executives can clarify the process of successful fundraising, target and approach potential funders, and increase levels of support. They will discover why donors give…and why others do not. In addition to the book, you will receive a CD-ROM with a customizable, on-screen presentation. It provides an overview of the board’s fundraising responsibilities, the stages of fundraising, and different types of fundraising. $33.75 members; $45.00 nonmembers www.boardsource.org/fearless 800-883-6262 24 JULY 1, 2008 THE NONPROFIT TIMES www.nptimes.com http://www.boardsource.org/fearless http://www.boardsource.org/fearless http://www.nptimes.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The NonProfit Times - July 1, 2008

The NonProfit Times - July 1, 2008 Time to Let GO Sparks Flying From Blackbaud's Bid For Kintera Holiday Jeer Contents Who...When...Where...How...What? The Wrong Arguments Calendar Measure the Unmeasureable Getting Good Advice We Barely Got to Know You Special Report: Giving USA Shows Bequests, Foundations Boosted Otherwise Flat Giving to 306 Billion Dollars National Benchmarking Nothing Is Forever Diversified Planet Business Briefs NPT Jobs Resource Directory Bridge Map Insert

The NonProfit Times - July 1, 2008

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