Archive for the ‘Grantmaking’ Category

This summer will be the 13th year of the Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program (SIP).  The program was established to address  the numerous inquiries the Foundation receives each year from college students regarding internship opportunities.  Staying true to the mission of supporting the nonprofit sector, the staff and board of the Foundation developed a program that places interns in Cleveland-area nonprofit and public sector agencies.  The Columbus Foundation, the Winnipeg Foundation, and Youngstown State University have developed internships/fellowship programs modeled after SIP.

As a benefit to the nonprofit and public sector, the Foundation handles the recruitment, selection, initial interviews, and professional development of the interns.  We also work with the host site organizations to develop projects that embody the dynamic nature of the local nonprofit and public sector.  This year’s host site projects speak to the variety of ways nonprofits are responding to the opportunities and challenges facing the region.  Examples of projects include: 

• At the Fatima Center in Hough, designing a youth anti-bullying campaign
• At the Northeast Shores Development Corporation, coordinating the home-buying process for the artists-in-residency program
• At Global Cleveland in Downtown Cleveland, helping advance the mission of attracting and welcoming newcomers to Greater Cleveland and connecting them to the many opportunities at Cleveland State University
• At the Cleveland Museum of Art in University Circle, conducting research for the popular Armor Court exhibit
• At the City of Shaker Heights, working with the Planning Department on matters related to zoning and community planning
• At the Cuyahoga National Valley Park in the only national park in Ohio, implementing a community outreach strategy
• At the Tremont West Development Corporation in the Tremont neighborhood, supporting and promoting its farmers market
• At New Avenues to Independence in Lake County, working to provide opportunities for people with disabilities and special needs to become more independent 

Do you know a college student (undergrad, graduate student, and recent graduate) who is up for the challenge?  A total of 17 internship placements are available. The deadline to apply is Feb. 6, 2012.  The program runs from June 4 – Aug. 17, 2012.  For more info visit: http://alturl.com/h2ss2

By Nelson Beckford, program officer

The Cleveland chapter of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) just released a report called “Building a Career in Nonprofit Cleveland.”  The report is the result of a survey and focus group of YNPN members.  Job satisfaction, career advancement opportunities, and burn out were the key issues that rose to the surface during this process.  The report also found that Cleveland’s young nonprofit professionals are well educated, eager for a challenge, and attracted to the nonprofit sector because of a commitment to a cause, or by a desire to “give back.”

YNPN then presented the following theory: If Cleveland’s nonprofit community leads the way in taking steps to define, support, and promote nonprofit work as a viable career choice for its young professionals, they may be more likely to stay in the region. 

Are you a nonprofit that would like to help promote nonprofit work and increase your organization’s capacity to implement an important project? 

The Cleveland Foundation’s Summer Internship program is now accepting applications for host site organizations for the summer of 2012.  The deadline to apply is November 30, 2011.  The Cleveland Foundation provides funding to pay the intern’s salary.  In addition, the foundation handles the heavy lifting, such as recruiting intern applicants, initial screenings of applications, and conducting the first round of interviews.   For more information on how to apply, visit: <http://alturl.com/mtq8b>

To read about the projects the 2011 intern class worked on, visit the intern program’s blog:  <http://alturl.com/8f6iz>

The Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program class of 2011 can expect to be immersed in dynamic projects touching almost every aspect of life in our community.

The 16 projects are grouped into four clusters: strengthening nonprofit organizations (capacity building), testing new ideas and innovative solutions (game changers), providing programs and services to vulnerable and underserved populations, and governmental agencies addressing vital issues.

Here are the host site organizations and projects:

Projects strengthening organizations

• International Partners in Mission: Conduct research and interviews to prepare for IPM’s environmental scan and market perception analysis and assist with implementation of social media strategy
• International Women’s Air and Space Museum: Assist in the creation of Amelia Earhart photograph collection and Mercury 13 collection (photos/archives of the first women to undergo astronaut testing)
• Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry: Develop an emergency plan that addresses succession planning, leadership, information technology, communication, and direct service
• The Gathering Place: Market and development private concerts with the Cleveland Orchestra and execute social media strategy
• Business Volunteers Unlimited: Help identify volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups
• Literacy Cooperative: Help organize, update, and expand stakeholder database and assist with programming

Projects testing new ideas and innovative solutions

• Cleveland Neighborhood Arts Collaborative: Develop a year-round arts calendar and create content for website
• University Hospitals Health Systems: Design a “roving” farmers market and support the health system’s goal of reducing obesity
• LakewoodAlive: Create a database of contractors, assisting homeowners and helping code enforcement staff bring cases to housing court
• Ohio City Near West Development Corporation: Implement a shared services program for nonprofits based in the Ohio City neighborhood

Projects providing programs and services to vulnerable and underserved populations

• Enterprise Community Partners: Research best practices in homeless prevention and develop an outreach plan for homeless youth; revise provider manual
• Boys and Girls Club: Design and manage website “Kids Corner” and develop a journalism club for teens
• Cleveland Orchestra: Assist the orchestra’s Community Music Initiative to offer a wide array of inspirational musical experiences to a variety of audiences

Projects in the governmental sector responding to challenges and seizing opportunities

• Cleveland Municipal Housing Court: Partner with local nonprofits to address foreclosure prevention and work with partners to create a unified message on healthy housing in relation to vacant homes and code enforcement
• Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District: Develop outreach to businesses, schools, and institutions on topics related to recycling, composting, and waste reduction; conduct research and update publications
• Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority: Market commuter-advantage program to local employers and assist advertising agency with marketing and promotions to encourage use of mass transit

Do you know an undergraduate, graduate student, or recent graduate who is interested in a meaningful summer internship working on one of the projects listed above? If so, encourage them to visit our Summer Internship Program web page, email nbeckford@clevefdn.org, or call 216-615-7259 for information.

I was just reviewing my notes from an amazing workshop put on by our friends at Neighborhood Connections, the small-grants (but big-impact) program of the Cleveland Foundation. The presenter was Peter Lovenheim, author of the book “In the Neighborhood: The Search for Community on an American Street, One Sleepover at a Time.” The book grew out of a gruesome murder-suicide that happened on the author’s quiet street. The murder-suicide made the author realize how little he knew about his neighbors and his neighborhood. To address this disconnect, he did something radical: He decided to ask his neighbors, politely, if he could sleep over.

For more on what ensued, visit Lovenheim’s website.

This made me think about how we often use the words “community” and “neighborhood” interchangeably. Technically, they mean two different things. People who share the same interests, passions, or hopes are part of a community. A pers on can be a member of several communities, which can include a book club, a gym, a professional affiliation, or a religious or spiritual group. A neighborhood is an immediate, shared geography. I live in a neighborhood.

What I have learned from the workshop and Neighborhood Connections is that something magical happens when you find community where you live. Something special is created when we share the same interests, hopes, and passions with the people we live next to. What a concept!

For some excellent examples of this idea, take a moment to look at Neighborhood Connections’ fall 2010 grantees.

It was a beautiful fall day when more than 30 organizations came together to share their thoughts on what was happening in Lake and Geauga counties.   There were similarities between what we heard in some of our Cuyahoga County conversations but also subtle differences as well as new ideas that were raised. 

Here are my recollections based on notes and the dialogue we held as a group:

In terms of challenges, agencies talked about an increase in demand for services which in some instances meant an increase of clients placed on waiting lists.  Others noted a shift in the needs of clients with many requiring more financial assistance, most likely due to the prolonged economic downturn.  Agencies, like their counterpoints in Cuyahoga County, were worried about state budget cuts and how to find other sources of funds to make up for those diminishing dollars.  Many suggested that nonprofit organizations did not have the capacity to develop additional resources. Finally, some noted that for those agencies that rely on memberships – either individuals or organizations – this was an expense some had to drop despite the value of the services.

In terms of opportunities, agencies were finding creative ways of doing more with less but some noted the need for more volunteers to help with implementing their missions.  For those who were doing this well, it was an opportunity to share its knowledge with others.  In shifting or re-thinking its priorities, agencies felt they had the ability to conduct operations differently, perhaps collaborating with another agency or reaching out to a specific segment of the community.  Individuals noted the opportunities in health (but with the challenge of implementing electronic health records), with stimulus dollars and in buying property that once were impossible to afford.  

The group had a long discussion about the role of boards and the need for training around responsibilities, particularly in the area of fundraising.  Topics including finding good board members, the time needed to education and train individual members and the impact on the executive director when good board members rotate off. 

The nonprofit community appreciated the role of the Lake-Geauga Fund in the community and having an office that was centrally located.  Many liked having the inquiry first, rather than submitting a full proposal.  One area that the community asked the foundation to think about was having flexibility in reporting deadlines.  Many times the results of the project are not yet fully known when the project is “officially” done.  Given the importance of outcomes, it was suggested that important data may be missing from these final reports. 

Another related topic of conversation was the need for balance with operating or infrastructure support to ensure quality.  Some participants noted that agencies are being held to very high standards in terms of deliverables or outcomes.  At the same time, many funding sources such as the Federal or State government, United Way, and foundations put strict limits on administrative expenses.  Grantees asked for a better balance and flexibility as it felt like most funders were tipping toward project-only support which was causing a lot of pain for the nonprofit community.   Participants asked the funding community for a deeper appreciation and/or understanding for the need for quality staff, updated systems, equipment and supplies to ensure the best possible outcomes for the clients being served. 

What else should we be talking about?  Let us know…

The second part of the community conversations centered on how to deepen the relationship between the foundation and individual organizations, along with a discussion about what was working well with the foundation and areas for improvement.  

Here is what we heard:

Some of the strengths of the Cleveland Foundation noted by the participants were that we were approachable, helpful, had good knowledge of the community, open about funding shifts, and were forward thinkers.  Some participants expressed appreciation for our role as convener, particularly in bringing together multiple funders while others noted the foundation’s leadership in various sectors such as aging.  One participant stated that “the program officers are accessible and provide good guidance – they want grantees to succeed.”

While gains have been made in the online grantmaking system, it was clear from our participants that there were still technological glitches and that there was room to improve.  Other areas for improvement including making sure information is accessible and searchable on our website, standardizing forms and reporting systems, more connection to donors as well as clarity around access to donors, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations, and more specific feedback on declines. 

Several participants expressed the desire for the foundation to provide general operating grants rather than just project support, which is something we also heard last year. As a result of this comment, we talked about the importance of recognizing that programs can not happen without infrastructure – staff, space, tools, etc. – and that this was an important part of telling the story of the organization.  In addition, it was important for the foundation to also articulate the importance of infrastructure to achieving the outcomes in the project being funded. 

For the third question, how do we build better relationships with grantees, there were lots of great ideas!  We heard it was important to maintain our commitment to site visits, to attend other events when possible and friend you on Facebook.  Some also expressed appreciation in how we have embraced social media tools like Twitter and Flickr to reach out to grantees and to tell stories of our grantees work.   You asked us to continue to provide introductions to other funders or “shakers and movers” as one grantee noted, including national partners.  (And we reminded you that if you are approaching a national partner to let us know as well.)  A few asked us to consider how we could improve or increase our role in identifying and facilitating partnerships or “match-making” to help with collaboration. Others appreciate our networking opportunities and encouraged us to continue to promote this aspect of our work. 

In one meeting, there was a discussion about how foundations could support the nonprofit sector in these challenging times.  For example, individual agencies are faced with negotiating lines of credit with banks which in many instances are needed due to delays in getting reimbursements from public sector funding.  Organizations are providing the critical service, waiting for the dollars and struggling with cash flow.  Is there a way to highlight this situation and find a more systemic solution?

On behalf of the community responsive team, I want to thank all of you for informing our work!  Please continue to share your knowledge with us.  I am looking forward to attending the community conversation that will focus on Lake and Geauga counties next week and will also share and compare what we learn from that dialogue.

A discussion of hashtags needs to start with a discussion of Twitter. I first blogged about Twitter in early 2009 (see post here).

Since that time more and more nonprofits and foundations have started using it (including @CleveFoundation). On the other hand, many folks are still shunning this technology. One of the benefits I’ve discovered is the ability to quickly share and access information. While I have come to love Google Reader (and will post a blog about that soon), as a way to sift through a lot of information, I still find Twitter ideal for speed.

Folks who aren’t using Twitter in the nonprofit/philanthropy arena often mention two barriers: 1) a lack of time – especially lacking time to “read about what people ate for breakfast” or other trivial items, and 2) not being able to locate quality information. A lot of the barriers can be removed by limiting the people you follow to only those who share quality information and by organizing your time online. Hashtags are another answer to those concerns.

Similar in concept to tagging photos, the hashtag (indicated by the “#” prior to the other characters) is simply a way to categorize information. By including it as part of a tweet, it is possible to easily pull up tweets that include specific information. Hashtags are used to categorize all tweets (including those coming from multiple people) from a particular conference, for example, or to categorize tweets in other ways.

As part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to share what we learn from our research (which I share through my general Twitter posts at @paultofu) and from grant reports, I have been using the Twitter hashtag #advicefromgrantees. In an effort to protect grantee anonymity while sharing some key insights, I send out occasional, quick, bite-sized morsels of information or advice from area nonprofits.

The tweeted information is pulled anonymously from the “What advice would you give to other organizations planning a similar program? What would you do differently if you had the chance?” section of the grant reports we receive.

We’re hopeful that some of the tweets will provide reminders or new information to help other nonprofits. Other foundations can also use the hashtag to share information. If you are not using Twitter you can also use a Google Search to find those specific #advicefromgrantees tweets.

In early 2009, I shared with you the history of Cleveland’s commitment to providing comprehensive sexual health education for all our students — a partnership led by the Cleveland schools and fully backed by dozens of key leaders (City, County, foundations) and most importantly student and parents themselves. 

Early evaluation results of the program showed that when students receive medically accurate, age and culturally appropriate health education, they are better prepared to make smart, healthy decisions about their futures.

Since the release of that report in 2009, the District’s comprehensive health education efforts have continued.  Last year, over 12,000 students received comprehensive health education and 130 teachers were trained to deliver the evidence-based curriculum.   

I’m pleased to once again report that our community’s responsible sexual behavior program is making a difference.  And a measurable one at that.  Our partners at the AIDS Funding Collaborative and Philliber Research Associates released a follow-up evaluation on the third year of our K-12 Responsible Sexual Behavior Initiative (2008-2009). 

Among the highlights of the 2008/2009 school year evaluation:

• Students showed statistically significant improvements in overall knowledge, attitudes, skills and behavioral intent across the three curricula included in the evaluation;
• The topic students in grades 1-3 most frequently reported they learned about was good touch/bad touch, while high school students were as likely to name abstinence as they were to name safer sex as the most important lesson learned;
• 130 CMSD physical education and health teachers successfully completed intensive training to deliver the Responsible Sexual Behavior curricula, and demonstrated high levels of knowledge and comfort delivering the programming. The evaluation identified some areas for additional training.
• Parents overwhelmingly support schools teaching comprehensive sexuality education. Among the parents whose children received the curriculum, 83 percent of those with children in grades K‐6 and 68 percent of those with children in grades 7‐12 reported having a discussion with their child about sex, or a related topic, because of what was learned in the classroom.

The Cleveland Foundation is proud to support the Cleveland schools, and our many partner institutions, in funding medically accurate, comprehensive health education for our students. 

For more information on the Responsible Sexual Behavior program and its third year evaluation, read the full evaluation report and accompanying briefs.

Additional links:

2008 Report 

2009-2010 Report

2009 -2010 Briefs

Partners

I had the opportunity to listen to the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture panel review of its general operating grant program last week.  CAC brought in outside experts from across the country to review over 70 arts and culture organizations’ applications.  It was a great learning opportunity for all involved in the process. 

Here are some of the insights and challenges I heard:

• The importance of organizations being flexible or nimble in responding to its environment and making changes to its structure and programming;
• The use of social media to engage younger, different or new audiences and in selling the whole experience of what it means to be a member of that organization’s family rather than just selling a ticket to a performance;
• The need to continue to diversity leadership of organizations both in terms of the board and its staffing – how we embrace younger members of the community as well as those of different cultures and backgrounds;
• Priority must be given to meaningful engagement with the community – how the organization ensures it is reaching out, listening and working together with members of the community.
• Greater focus on accountability – both programmatically and fiscally – and the need to tell the story of both. �
   

It was great to hear that many of our arts and culture organizations are thinking about these issues or have incorporated them into their organizations.  But upon reflecting on what I heard, I also think that these insights hold true for the broader nonprofit community to ensure that the overall nonprofit sector remains healthy and vibrant.

Let me start by stating that yes – we read all grant reports.

When a new grant proposal is received, I review past reports and organization files as part of my due diligence practices, so please know that the reports are read and used as part of a continuing process.

Reporting requirements vary from foundation to foundation, but basically we are interested in learning:

• What the organization did with the grant funds and what the organization feels are the principal accomplishments
• Challenges that may have arrived during implementation – staffing changes, etc. including what refinements that were made to overcome those challenges
• Challenging or surprising aspects of the project, including any unexpected outcomes
• Advice for other organizations – what would the organization do differently given the chance?
• Moving forward – post-grant plans and sustainability
• Press releases/media clippings
   

As an example, an interim report from an organization included a report from a national organization related to financing policies related to their specific focus in the nonprofit world. The document included the Cleveland-based organization as a model, which is great to see – but it also provided a nice summary of federal resources and funding which is very helpful.

We work hard to be as informed as we possibly can. The grant reports, paired with the calls and emails we receive related to changes (both positive and negative) are tremendously helpful.

We are working on figuring out the best way to share recommendations from these reports to share the insights gained by other nonprofits within our community. I’m experimenting with Twitter (perhaps a hashtag #advicefromgrantees ?). Other ideas are welcomed.

Please continue to add your comments to these posts to add to the collective knowledge base, to provide feedback, or even to request specific blog post topics.

As a P.S. - If you haven’t already, check out our Grantee Perception Report. Thanks to all of the nonprofits who provided feedback.