the donors forum blog

crain's includes df members + partners in special focus on nonprofits, giving

In case you missed it, the special focus of the January 24, 2011 Crain's Chicago Business was on nonprofits and philanthropy:

• Valerie S. Lies, President and CEO of Donors Forum, Rafael Malpica of Walgreen Co, and Jason Saul of Mission Measurement were quoted in an article about corporate giving.
  
• An article on L3Cs includes a quote from Harborquest, Inc. and an opinion from David Chernoff, Associate General Council at the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, on why L3Cs may not be necessary.
• A story on tax policy in charitable giving quotes Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and Metropolitan Family Services and cites a study by Bank of America.
• Another article discusses the trend toward smaller, more personal gatherings of supporters and quotes Chicago Cares, Inc. and Chicago Foundation for Women.
• The Active Transportation Alliance and Chicago Community Trust were quoted in a piece on nonprofits' use of social media.

 ~Celeste Wroblewski, Vice President, External Relations

df associate members in forbes: philanthropy advisors can help ensure short- and long-term effectiveness

Several Associate Members of Donors Forum were quoted in an article on Forbes.com on the role that professional advisors can play in helping individuals and families make their philanthropy the most effective. 

The article quotes Betsy Brill, Strategic Philanthropy, Ltd; Kirk Hoopingarner, Wildman Harrold Allen & Dixon; and Lee Morava, Gresham Partners. It also mentions Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, a Donors Forum Member.  An excerpt:

Making sure that a philanthropic effort stays relevant well into the future can be an important part of planning, too, says Betsy Brill, president of Strategic Philanthropy Ltd. in Chicago. That's especially true if money is set aside to fund a cause after the donor dies. If the cause is, say, curing a disease, make sure there's a clear plan for where the money will go once a cure is found. Drafting legal documents in a way that allows for certain contingencies can prevent money from being tied up in a foundation that no longer makes sense.

~ Julie Strand, Communications and Development Intern   

how donors + funders can support nonprofits hurt by their state's budget crisis

Thanks to Associate Member Betsy Brill for her insightful commentary, her mention of Donors Forum's Public/Nonprofit Partnership Initiative, and her suggestions to corporate funders, grantmakers, and individual donors about how they can support nonprofits affected by state budget crises.  Her piece, "When Local Charities Become State Budget Casualties," can be found here.  It is part of a regular series she writes for Forbes.com.

~ the donors forum team