NPO Conversation Series

We invite leaders of nonprofit organizations to join us each quarter for a brown-bag lunch discussion about issues, ideas, and concerns in the nonprofit and philanthropic community. The meetings are a time for us to “talk shop” and move beyond the usual conversation between foundations and nonprofit organizations.

REINVENTION : GMA’s NPO Conversation on Tuesday, April 30th (new date)

From the 100-year old charity to the start-up organization, nonprofits are constantly reinventing themselves. Whether it is a change in mission, a change in board, or a change in image, organizations are trying new things to continue to matter.

How has your organization continued to reinvent itself in order to continue living your mission, meeting your goals and securing funding? How do you and your colleagues infuse your organization with new ideas and energy? How will your organization stay relevant?

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A Policy and Advocacy Primer for Foundations and Nonprofits

by Mary Phillips, in preparation for a panel discussion by this title at the Students4Giving’s 2013 Social Impact Conference at Northeastern University on March 11^th

Foundation trustees often become frustrated by funding the same direct service programs over and over again without seeing significant progress.   The underlying problems are systemic and complex, requiring a multi-pronged approach including government policy changes.  To be strategic, grantmaking programs should include funding for advocacy.

Advocating for public policy changes can complement and increase the effectiveness of a foundation’s grantmaking agenda.  Some trustees approach the idea with caution because of the prohibition on lobbying by private foundations.    Fortunately there are many ways to fund advocacy and practice advocacy without lobbying. 

In fact, if foundations truly want to be change agents, they have to address the public policy implications necessary for successful implementation of new approaches.   For example, Continue Reading »

EVENTS OF NOTE

Panel discussion and reception on December 6th

Since 1982, GMA Foundations has been engaged by philanthropists across the country to help build strategic grantmaking programs, strong operations and effective governance.   Thousands of trustee decisions – ordinary and extraordinary – have shaped so much good.

In this digital age, philanthropic giving increasingly flows to data-rich nonprofits that show measurable results.  And yet, funders do break free of the data and fund creative, early-stage, unproven ideas, despite the risk.  These bold moves have altered seemingly inevitable paths, shining light on new models and fostering systemic change.  Creativity and innovation continue to be essential to solving some of our most difficult social issues.  The philanthropic community is poised to lead.

Energizing conversation often propels us to set aside fear of failure and take bold action.  With that in mind, we celebrate our 30^th anniversary in conversation with philanthropists who dare to do things differently, who have embraced risk for social good. Continue Reading »