Resources

Hello Geo, As part of our Strategic Visioning process in 2022, the Iowa West Foundation conducted a number of community listening sessions called Imagine Hours. As a place-based foundation, Iowa West strives for communities in which families love to live and businesses thrive. The Imagine Hours helped us to understand that the community members in our area of southwest Iowa value: Belonging, Financial Stability, Opportunity, and Wellbeing as elements of a prosperous community. We have shifted our focus to align with this feedback. We are also trying to identify metrics that demonstrate whether we are accomplishing Wellbeing (defined as thriving instead of just surviving). We believe an indicator or metric that spoke to community hope would be a strong candidate, but have not found many good resources on how to do this at a city or county level. Does anyone have any great examples, communities, or resources we should consider as we develop this? Thanks! Matt

This report is a final offering to philanthropy from the Hazen Foundation and its nonprofit partners. The report includes grantee recommendations for funder partnerships that advance a more effective and sustainable movement for social justice.

Hello Everyone, We are seeking recommendations for a GMS that incorporates relationship management into the process to allow for tracking of prospect contact, meetings, visits, etc. One system we’ve heard about that might fit the bill is Giving Data. We’re curious if any of you are using Giving Data as your GMS? If so, we’d be grateful to hear how it’s working for you. We’re also open to any other suggestions for a GMS that offers more prospect and relationship management! Or anyone have a system you just love? Many thanks as always! Georganna

Hi GEO community, I'm planning a convening for partners working on the frontlines of the migration crises in Central America, Mexico, and the U.S., and looking for thoughtful ideas, both big and small, to bring some self-care and wellbeing to the space we will be creating together. What are ways you've seen some self- and collective care integrated into conferences or gatherings? Or ideas you'd love to implement but haven't had the chance? If you've been thinking about self-care/wellbeing and its importance to the success and resilience of your partners, do reach out. I'd love to have a conversation.

Greetings GEO Friends! Hoping this note finds everyone in good spirits as spring sets in. I’m wondering if any of you know of any fellowship programs that you could point me to, either within philanthropy or more broadly within the social sector? We have a few we are looking at but want to expand our reach to include others. Specially, we are hoping to see examples that invite fellowship from senior leaders who are well-established in their careers. Thanks in advance for any examples that you may have!

ACT for Alexandria, a community foundation in Alexandria, VA, is developing a capacity building cohort focused on racial equity for nonprofit leaders in our community. We are curious about any of your experiences with similar initiatives.

I’m interested in what language others have used that we might consider and thoughts on a more inclusive definition of artistic vitality without changing our strategy. Has anyone been engaging in this conversation or exploration?

Does anyone operate within a region that utilizes an online community platform for local nonprofit organizations to communicate with each other? Think a private social media site – only accessible to local nonprofit organizations – where they can post needs for specific items, program availability, events, grant opportunities, etc. I’m looking for resources, best practices, experiences with a particular platform, as well as anyone who has tried this and run into difficulties with startup or ongoing operation.

The H. E. Butt Foundation is researching ways rural areas have successfully implemented early childcare centers. We are interested in research data around different methodologies for implementation.

We are seeking thoughts, favorite resources, and/or policies that colleagues may have for when and how their foundation – in particular, a family foundation, might leverage their power/voice within a community to move the needle on any particular issue. Perhaps on an issue area where philanthropy is silent or having an emerging voice. Some topics can include immigration, gun violence or democracy.