Message from the Membership

Principles of Good Governance and Accountability for Grantmakers
Why Care?*

By, Kathleen Cornett

The Oregon Community Foundation, Vice President for Programs
Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington, Board President

Two trends struck me about our field in 2005.  First, the tangible increase in organized philanthropy: more foundations being endowed, more donors creating permanent advised funds at community foundations and individual charitable giving keeps going up.  And the growing participation in GRANTMAKERS tells me that there is a great interest in our field in “doing philanthropy right”.

A second trend may be a result of the first: the unprecedented attention Congress is paying to our sector.  New regulations have passed the Senate and House of Representatives and a conference committee will soon be appointed to iron out the final details. If you are not up to speed on the latest developments, I recommend visiting the Independent Sector website http://www.independentsector.org .  It’s not too late to weigh in on some of the proposed changes.

Unfortunately, some of the Congressional reforms have been made in response to highly publicized abuses and ethical lapses in the charitable sector.  But, to quote Hugh Price, former vice president of the Rockefeller Foundation, “…legislators and regulators cannot ensure the viability and integrity of nonprofit organizations.  That’s the time honored job description of trustees, chief executives and senior managers”.  Only those of us who govern and work in philanthropy can regulate ourselves to ensure that our practices are equal to the privilege conferred on philanthropic donors and the special work we do on their behalf.

This year GRANTMAKERS will be starting a conversation with you, our members, to discover ways we can all be more effective and accountable in our work.  The Good Governance Initiative will be led by board member Kandis Nunn and will take place around the state.  Rather than have a proscriptive set of rules imposed on us, we will talk about the face of philanthropy in Oregon and Southwest Washington and what “best practices” we all agree fit us and our region.  We will explore the differences in practice for different types of giving programs—private and community foundations, family foundations and advised funds, corporate giving.  By year’s end we hope to have crafted a set of guiding practices and principles that can be discussed by the board of directors of each GRANTMAKERS’ member organization.  By creating our own standards of operation we can continue the flexible, entrepreneurial spirit that stands behind much of philanthropy.  We look forward to talking together in 2006!

* As presented in the January/February 2006 Newsletter

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*New* Regional Philanthropy Calendar

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BIENNIAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE

Charting The Course: Moving Forward in Challenging Times

Astoria, Oregon

October 13-15th 2010


Learn more…

http://www.oldoregon.com/

Webinar: Scaling What Works from Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO)

Introducing Scaling What Works: What is it?  Why should I care?  How do I get involved?

Tuesday, August 3, 2010
2:00 pm (EST)
Free to all grantmakers.

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/228693801

Scaling What Works is the three-year initiative that will ensure funders and nonprofits have the tools, resources and skills needed to effectively increase the impact of community programs. During this informational session, Kathleen Enright, GEO’s President and CEO, will outline GEO’s plans for the project, describe how this project complements and supports the Social Innovation Fund, explain how this work fits into GEO’s primary programs, hear your interests and discuss how you can become more involved. There will also be plenty of time for Q&A.

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SOCIAL

Summer Social at the Schnitzer’s!

Hosted by Harold and Arlene Schnitzer through the Harold & Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation

Wednesday, August 11, 2010
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

The Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation
1121 SW Salmon Street
Portland, OR 97205
Rooftop Terrace

Beverages and summer appetizers included.

(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 503.226.6340

More details to follow!

 

CORPORATE FUNDERS LEARNING EXCHANGE

Continuing the Conversation

Sponsored by Pacific Power Foundation

7:30 am - 9:00 am
Thursday, September 2, 2010

Key Bank Officers, Pac West Building
1211 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97204

$10.00 Members, $35.00 Non-Members
(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)or 503.226.6340

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Connecting the Dots: Health, Housing, and the Community Context

Presented by: Comprehensive Health Education Foundation, The Seattle Foundation, and Bullitt Foundation

September 14, 2010
11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Seattle Lung Association
2625 Third Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121

To register, email (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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