Archive for the ‘Grantmaking’ Category

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.

I came across this map and was floored by the prevalence of fast food restaurants across the United States.  At the same time, I think about how (relatively) cheap fast food is, with most fast food restaurants having dollar menu items.  The average price of a “meal” is $5. 

Now, picture a map of an urbanized area in which every pin point represents a location where one can get fresh fruits and vegetables.  The difference between this map and the fast food map would be striking. 

I am not advocating the wholesale closure of fast food restaurants.  They provide jobs. They give money to the community.  They sponsor little league teams. The smart ones have some healthy choices on their menus.  They are not evil.

With that said, I am hopeful. Cleveland is emerging as a leader in the local food movement.  President Obama set up a task force to tackle childhood obesity and lists ensuring access to healthy, affordable food as one of its objectives.

The movement is growing and the President’s taskforce helps to validate its importance.

The author fully discloses he will probably eat fast food in the near future and admits that he has eaten fast food in the past.

On Friday, February 26, Cleveland was home to its first local version of TED. For those who are unfamiliar, TED (which stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design) has been an annual event bringing together experts from around the world (think Bill Gates, Frank Gehry, and Temple Grandin, among others) to present short lectures sharing what they are most passionate about. Check out the website for much more information and links to videos. Their tagline is “ideas worth spreading.”

TEDxCLE looks at that idea from a local lens. Organized by Clevelanders Hallie Bram and Eric Kogelschatz, TEDxCLE seeks to “bring Cleveland innovation, development, and positive change to the world.” For the first TEDxCLE, speakers included inventors, designers, small business owners, and others connected to amazing, positive innovations in Cleveland.

I wanted to share this 1) because we can all use an injection of positive Cleveland news and ideas every once in a while, and 2) there were some significant connections to the nonprofit and philanthropic organizations doing such great work locally. Videos will be available on the website soon we were told, and I hope that folks will view and share them widely. There were definitely some thought-provoking ideas shared that are worth viewing and discussing further.

One example that stood out for me was shared in an emotional presentation by Patrick J. Perotti, a lawyer with Dworken & Bernstein Co., L.P.A. and Ohio Lawyers Give Back. He talked about how unclaimed class action funds are distributed to charities throughout the State of Ohio. To date, Dworken & Bernstein has distributed over $20 million dollars to charity. Check out the website to learn more about “cy pres” and how it is impacting organizations throughout Ohio.

We have lots of great ideas in Cleveland and in our nonprofit community in particular. How are we sharing these ideas, and how can we continue to spread great ideas locally, regionally, nationally, and globally?

Get energized, informed, and inspired about the 2010 Census! Join us for a rally at the Cleveland Foodbank in support of our nonprofit organizations.  All are invited - social service agencies, policy groups, educational and arts institutions. Anyone with a commitment to our region and willingness to make sure everyone is counted in the 2010 Census is welcome.

United States Senator Sherrod Brown will be our featured speaker, along with representatives from Neighborhood Connections, United Way’s 211 and the Cleveland Foodbank. 

Time: Monday, March 8th, 10-11am

Location: Cleveland Foodbank, 15500 South Waterloo Road, Cleveland OH 44110 – free parking

Why:  Find out what the 2010 Census means to Cleveland’s nonprofits.  Essential Census materials (including info on mini-grant opportunities) will be distributed.

For more info on how your nonprofit or community group can get involved:

What’s Happening in Cleveland’s Neighborhoods?

Download a Free Census Toolkit for your Organization

“Countdown to the Census: Effective Messaging and Mobilization Strategies for Nonprofits”

My penchant for technology – especially new ways to connect and to share information – received a boost this fall.

For those willing to try it out, it just might change the way you interact with Cleveland. FourSquare is a location-based social networking program. It’s also a game. Users “check-in” at venues using their mobile device. They are then awarded points and sometimes “badges,” and add tips to venue listings for other users to see.

I first read about FourSquare last summer and immediately downloaded the iPhone application, but at the time it was only available in New York City. Sigh.

Fast forward to September; when a trip to NYC afforded me the opportunity to finally play FourSquare which was 1) fun and 2) informative. For example, I never would have found the Gutenberg Bible at the public library without a FourSquare tip.

As summarized in Wikipedia:

 “Foursquare allows registered users to connect with friends and update their location. Points are awarded for “checking in” at venues. Users can choose to have their Twitter and/or their Facebook accounts updated when they check in. Users can also earn badges by checking in at locations. If a user has checked-in to a venue more than anyone else, on separate days, and they have a profile photo, they will be crowned “Mayor” of that venue, until someone else earns the title.”

Users have described the experience this way: if Twitter is about letting people know what you’re doing, FourSquare is about inviting friends to join you where you are– and if they can’t join you, leaving tips and suggestions for them and others in the future.

As an example, if I check into a restaurant in the Gordon Square Arts District I might [hypothetically] get a tip alerting me to ticket information for Cleveland Public Theatre or how to get free popcorn at the Capitol Theatre. Checking in to the theatre might yield a tip about the coffee shop and bakery next door. As I have used FourSquare, I have had friends follow-up with questions like “How was that restaurant? and “How did you like the show?”

This is where I think FourSquare gets exciting for nonprofits. Check out this Nonprofit Tech article on Five Simple (and Fun) Ways to Promote Nonprofits on FourSquare. Beth Kanter of Beth’s Blog has also posted about FourSquare for nonprofits, including potential uses in fundraising. Local businesses can be strong partners in working with neighborhood nonprofits in creative partnerships. As with all social media, successful organizations will be authentic, creative, and willing to take some risks.

Watch for much more on FourSquare in the near future. As reported in the New York Times (which has created its own FourSquare partnership for the Winter Olympics), FourSquare has entered into a deal with Bravo television, and according to another report, Zagat, Warner Bros., HBO, the History Channel and ExploreChicago have all been added to Foursquare’s media and entertainment mix.

GPS-enabled mobile devices have opened the door to a variety of location-based applications. Watch for programs such as Yelp!, Loopt,  and Mobile Spinach to give FourSquare some competition. In the meantime, grab your phone and get ready to explore our city in a new and innovative way.

Yesterday, I watched my older daughter dance on the stage of the Greg L. Reese Performing Arts Center located at the East Cleveland Library.  I was a proud parent, watching her tackle a particularly challenging contemporary ballet piece, silently cheering her on.  But at the same time, I was moved by the beautiful space, the incredible acoustics, and appreciative audience members.  I was also in awe of the many artists who have performed there, inspiring this community.

The current economy continues to challenge our local arts community as evidenced by recent news articles and national studies.   Local arts groups are doing what they do best – being innovative in responding to current conditions – and supporting each other by sharing strategies. 

To support these efforts, The Cleveland Foundation and CityMusic Cleveland will be hosting a session with David Kitto, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at the Kennedy Center around the topic of Audience Development and Creative Marketing in Tough Times. This free session will take place on Thursday, February 4, 2010, from 1-3 pm in the Minter Conference Center at the Cleveland Foundation. Space is limited. RSVP to crg-rsvp@clevefdn.org.

While there are no easy solutions to these challenges, yesterday’s experience reminded me yet again how the arts make a difference in each of our lives…..

We are currently recruiting the region’s best and brightest for the 2010 Cleveland Foundation summer internship program. 

As we approach its 11th year, the program has helped us confirm two important pieces of information: 1) Nonprofits continue to provide interns with meaningful projects that are reflective of the times and 2)We have and will continue to need young talent.

Projects that are reflective of the times

 This year, we have a diverse selection of 16 nonprofits that will serve as “hosts” for Cleveland Foundation interns for 11 weeks during the summer of 2010.  The host sites represent the depth and breadth of Cleveland’s nonprofit community with projects that are reflective of the times.  Below are examples of issues and how this year’s host site projects address those issues: 

Vacant land and abandoned property

·    A neighborhood revitalization organization has a project that involves the implementation of Re-Imagining Cleveland

·    An inner-ring community development organization is looking at how the vacant property epidemic  is affecting its community

·    An arts organization’s project calls for curating, planning, and organizing exhibits for a national vacant property conference that will be held in Cleveland

 Youth development

·    A civic organization has a project that involves managing a summer out-of- school program

·    A neighborhood-based art organization’s project is to market and outreach to teens

·    A human services organization’s project involves calls for analysis of state and federal policy as it relates to youth

A few of the projects also involve research and analysis to aid in decision making,

·    An economic development organization’s project calls for a market analysis of medical imaging technology

·    A neighborhood-based organization wants to better understand the market for conflict resolution training

·    An organization that works with small businesses has a project that entails the development of a capital improvement plan and budget.

Projects related to local foods, health, training design, marketing, social media, fundraising, development and event planning round out the 2010 host site list.  For the full list, click here.

We have and we need young talent

The Summer Internship program helped to confirm that as region, we are rich with young talent. We are lucky to have top ranked colleges and universities, many with nationally acclaimed programs that attract students from around the world.  Personally, we may know of young people who have graduated from our (public and private) high schools and are now attending out of town colleges and universities but are coming home for summer break. 

These two groups are the audiences that we are trying to recruit for the 2010 Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship program.  Help us get the word out!

For more information, visit our Summer Internship page.

I will admit to this: Sesame Street played an important role in my understanding of the alphabet, addition, subtraction and fractions. In a gentle way, Seasme Street also told stories that helped me to better understand tolerance, cooperation and other important life skills.  Kermit, Big Bird, Grover, and associates spoke to me in ways that some of my “actual” teachers could not.  I am happy to say that my beloved Sesame Street has remained true to form.

Families Stand Together: Feeling Secure in Tough Times is a television special produced by Sesame Street that looks at how families are coping with financial challenges. In a plain spoken manner, we learn what unemployment, loss of a home, spending, budgeting and saving really means to families. 

Told within the context of a neighborhood, families candidly share stories of their financial challenges.  We also learn how they are responding.  In their response we see their strength.  Displays of strength are shown when a father describes how it feels to be unemployed and when a young girl decides to sell her prized possessions for extra money.

It took the genius of our beloved Sesame Street to shine the light on how the economy affects families with children, but instead of feeling sorry for the families, we end up feeling inspired - inspired by their resilience.

 Watch for yourself

(I also want to take a moment to give big shout out to the staff and board at the Carnegie Corporation that in 1966 awarded the two-year grant that launched Sesame Street.)

This summer I was lucky enough to visit Montreal for the first time. My favorite part of the experience wasn’t the great cultural institutions, history, architecture, art, or festivals – but the experience of being in a city that has embraced bicycles. The Bixi program and designated bike-ways around the city were a joy to ride.

Based on a system popular in Europe, and launched in May 2009, the Bixi bicycle rental program allows users to quickly and easily rent bicycles for short rides across town. Rental rates are cheap ($5/24 hours access or only $78/year) and the city is adding 2,000 bikes to 100 new stations due to the program’s popularity. In just a few months, bikes were rented more than 250,000 times. An iPhone application even allows users to locate available docks and bicycles easily in real time. The program’s not cheap (some $22 million for a total of 5,000 bikes and 400 solar-powered stations), but it was amazingly convenient and a great way to experience the city.

 I recognize that particular approach is not realistic for Cleveland (at least, not at this point in time). It’s expensive and the density and layout of our region is different from others. However, Northeast Ohio has taken many positive steps forward in becoming more bike-friendly. Designated bike lanes have made the ride down Euclid safer and faster. I’ve noticed more cyclists and signage throughout the city. In Montreal, paved trails through the urban landscape connect the city to trails along its canals. Plans in Cleveland to connect multi-use trails from the lake to the Emerald necklace and beyond are well underway.

 Check out a few of Cleveland’s bike initiatives (including several past grant recipients):

• The Downtown Cleveland Alliance’s City Bikes program is off to a great start – offering reasonable rentals for tourists and residents to enjoy the city from a different perspective.
• Cleveland Bikes offers Cleveland Bicycle Week and other programs and information.
•  The Ohio City Bike Co-op  helps young riders earn free bikes in addition to other programs.
• Walk & Roll has taken its programs to various Cleveland neighborhoods this summer.
• Plans for a downtown Cleveland Bike Station for commuters are underway and will mark a huge step forward for our transportation infrastructure.

 Also check out Green City, Blue Lake’s great website, specifically the section on bikes for more links and documents. Seriously, it’s filled with great stuff.

It should be noted, not everyone is enthusiastic about bike sharing systems. Often an ongoing hate-hate debate comes up between cyclists and automobile drivers – each blaming the other for various wrongs. I will refrain from the cliché of “Can’t we all just get along and share the road” but will say that bicycles contribute great things to a city, and are certainly a piece of the puzzle to making Cleveland great.

What do you think?

I came across a recent blog post that questioned if the recent Neighborhood Progress, Inc. report, Re-imagining Cleveland was audacious or realistic.  If you have not seen the plan, please take a look.    

My two cents: the plan is bold and doable.  The small scale, neighborhood based projects weave together nicely to form the big picture.  To me, this cafeteria of choices makes perfect sense. 

In my own neighborhood on the near west side, I treasure being able to hop on my bike for a 10 minute ride to Edgewater Park to take in massive beauty of Lake Erie but I also value the meditative labyrinth at W. 65 and West Clinton.  I also love seeing the urban gardeners at work at Kentucky Garden, the splash park at Fairview Park and the hustle and bustle of Market Square on a Saturday. 

Choices are good.

Neighborhood Progress Inc is accepting applications for projects on Vacant Land Bank Lots in the Neighborhood Stabilization Target Areas.   The application deadline is July 31,2009.  Pick up Re-Imagining Pattern Books and applications at: Neighborhood Progress, Inc.1956 West 25th Street Suite 200 Cleveland, OH 44113. Or download info and applications at www.neighborhoodprogress.org.  

Contact: Millie Davis

p:.216.830.2770, ext. 105

E-mail: mmd@neighborhoodprogress