During the past year, Donors Forum has conducted a sustainability planning process that involved review of every aspect of our organization. The result of this work is an updated mission and vision statement to more accurately reflect the organization, and plans for new and different ways for grantmakers, nonprofits, and advisors to connect, learn, and act together.
Perhaps the most substantive change is reflected in the plan to more regularly convene grantmakers and nonprofits together to discuss best practices in philanthropy and nonprofit management, and then to take action together to put these ideas into practice in their own organizations.
Some of these convenings will take place through two Communities of Practices that will bring nonprofits and grantmakers together around the issues of streamlining grantmaking (Project Streamline) and on nonprofit overhead.
We’ll also bring grantmakers and nonprofits together through a symposium and reception to be held this winter to continue the conversation we began at the Annual Luncheon on “incivility in our civil society” and also through our regular public policy programs.
Read about many other new plans here, including new approaches to public policy work, nonprofit education and networking, and grantmaker education and networking.
~ Celeste Wroblewski, Vice President, External Relations
This article does a great job of providing information for the general public to gain awareness of how large an impact the state budget impasse really has on, well, the general public. States not only provide funding to many services from parks to human services, but also funnel dollars from the federal government in the form of block grants to many different types of agencies, including nonprofits. If the state is not functioning, then funding, federal or state is not dispersed to agencies. Nonprofit organizations provide essential services to the general public, yet need to go through a review process to be deemed essential. Much like charitable organizations that came before social work or social services, these agencies provide assistance and advocacy for people that are not offered through the government or the family. Oftentimes people do not have a voice or do not have access to private sector services. In addition, nonprofits often meet the shortfalls of public or private services and fill gaps in services, to the general public. Without the necessary funding because of the government shut down, the general public is forced to go without not only state services, but also the nonprofit services that are set up to catch shortfalls or gaps in services. So where can the general public go? As the article said, “how do you decide what is an essential service?” Who gets to decide what an essential service is? Shouldn’t it be representative of people who rely on that service? Who will help? What are people going to do?
Don’t get me wrong. The government shutdown, although representative of politics getting in the way of civil liberties and programs, is also government process in action. The very nature of our government branches is that of checks and balances to avoid any branch, or one constituency or party from having all power and control. Time and again, we have seen parties pitted against each other in the name of the constituents’ concerns, yet the outcome has been representative of only a small portion of the population. I am proud that the governor has called the legislature’s bluff and is sending the message that inflexibility can happen on both sides of the aisle and one branch or party does not hold the monopoly on that tactic. It is a tough call, but necessary for long-term gain for civil rights and liberties for all socioeconomic groups. I support the governor, and am trying to be comfortable with the ambiguity and uncertainty. I believe that if we remain strong and help each other out in the short term, we will come out on the other side stronger and with the long-term legislation and funding necessary to enable nonprofits to do what they do best…help and advocate. In closing, I’d like to share a few thoughts. Balancing the budget should not happen on the backs of vulnerable individuals such as the elderly or disabled. Balancing the budget is not about cutting essential programs. Balancing the budget is not about cutting-period, it is about give and take, which includes revenue building from fair and equitable taxes.
One of my favorite quotes comes from another great Minnesota leader that believed in standing up for what he believed would best serve the people, Paul Wellstone.
“Politics is not about money. Politics is not about winning for sake of winning. Politics is about the improvement of people’s lives. It’s about advancing the cause of justice and peace in our country and the world. Politics is about doing well for the people.”
The politicians are making this budget a fight about who gets the money and who doesn’t have to provide the money. The politicians are making this about getting their party platform through and winning the argument. But the politicians need to reflect on how will this budget improve people’s lives…how will this budget be representative of all people and be accomplished in a just manner? Politicians represent the people. The outcome of politicians’ committees, coalitions, and legislation should reflect achieving the greatest good for all people.
Posted by: Sarah Cormell | July 14, 2011 at 03:19 PM