Leading during a crisis: Lessons on philanthropy and racial justice

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Aja Pirtle

The Mays Family Institute on Diverse Philanthropy hosted a discussion on racial justice featuring Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, and Tony Mason, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League. Here are some of the key learnings from their conversation.

Use a “gumbo” strategy
During Morial’s time as mayor of New Orleans, he created “gumbo coalitions.” With a nod to culinary traditions of the area, he made sure to make his committees inclusive of many points of view: “The principal was that with gumbo, you can make it in many, many ways, and adding many ingredients.”

Work to meet the needs of the people you serve. Especially now.
Mason described the changes that the Urban League of Indianapolis has undergone since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic: “We’ve had to expand our services to meet the needs of the community in this moment. At the very beginning of the pandemic, one of the significant challenges that we had to undertake as the staff—and those of you who raise funds can appreciate this—was that we had to invest in outfitting our entire staff, laptops, and matching equipment. As you know, with a lot of nonprofits, we’ve got donated equipment here and there, and so it was a significant investment for us to do that.

“But maybe perhaps more importantly, as we started to transition to a remote operation, we began receiving phone calls from residents from the senior living communities located in the U.S., and the residents were expressing a concern about being able to have access to food. So we facilitated a partnership between the senior living communities, Goodwin Plaza. The calls kept coming, and so we embarked on conducting weekly drive-thru food and resource distributions … every Tuesday here at the Urban League. In essence, 28 weeks ago, we were not in the hunger relief business.”

Take advice from those who’ve been there before
According to Morial, there is much to be learned from our forebears: “But I think we should listen to our elders, our seniors, our seasoned citizens in the community, our established leaders who may have confronted a different time, and we should learn from them. We should learn from them, they have the broader perspective.”

Be intentional in your partnerships
Mason described ways that organizations can purposefully create inclusive work: “Starting with companies and other funders, you can successfully partner with your communities by simply being intentional. Just as (Lilly) Endowment was so extremely intentional about partnering with the Urban League here in Indianapolis and the coalition through the national org, you can do the same actually in 85 other communities and regions across this country. If the Urban League is not your cup of tea, there’s the NAACP. You’ve also got an organization like the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, and there are a number of great nonprofits that are doing work here in our city and in our state.”

Take action
There is much work to be done, says Mason, and no perfect solutions. Instead, just get going: “We all have work to do, we all have to be a part of the solution, we have to own this moment, we have to own this moment right now. We’re all responsible for what happens to Indianapolis over the next five, 10 years.”

Achieving academic and fundraising success

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Andy Ware

fund raising school course — Participants learning at a 2019 The Fund Raising School course.

By Kelly R. Young

COVID-19 has certainly transformed the education landscape and the many ways in which students are pursuing their educational goals. Many schools and students are accepting online learning environments as a preferred choice, rather than a directive.

The Fund Raising School (TFRS) has always provided innovative solutions to help students achieve academic and fundraising success, and these times are no different. As the future of education continues to change, so must educators. That is why The Fund Raising School recently sought to better understand student expectations and gather recommendations from students themselves. Below is some of what came from an informal student survey.

What did you discover that you wish you knew earlier in your course?

“My original intent was to be immersed in a 40-hour deep dive, weeklong learning experience; exchanging dialogue, listening intently and actively networking. Due to the pandemic, I had little choice but to participate online. Immediately upon starting the course, I realized that being successful would require me to engage my colleagues.”

“I was not familiar with doing an online course and it became easier with each module because I learned the process. I scheduled time for myself in order to complete each module in a timely manner.”

“I learned there are so many layers to fundraising that go beyond just asking people for money. This course taught me the value of learning about the entire scope of the business we’re in and how there are a variety of different approaches to fundraising.”

What went as you expected and what did not?

“I am a scheduler and had blocked off each Monday to do my weekly coursework and scheduled only 30 minutes to an hour on Thursdays and Fridays to check and respond to discussions. Not being able to do the coursework on the timetable I planned was a challenge.”

“At the beginning, I was afraid of having nothing to say in the Discussions. But in the end, it went well every time!”

“The course went better than expected. I felt like I learned quite a bit about fundraising. The only thing different is that I felt I needed about 6-7 hours a week, probably because I spent more time on the content, which was a good thing!”

What tips or suggestions do you have for future TFRS course participants?

“It is what you make of it. Unfortunately, without carving time away from the office it becomes a to-do rather than an experience. Create an in-person week (via Zoom) for at least one week out of the eight weeks where activities to learn are done online with live interaction.”

“Make sure to set up the reminders for deadlines and to see the daily report; they are great for keeping you on task. Read through the full weekly assignments at the beginning of each week to understand what is expected and to ensure you allow enough time to seek outside resources as necessary to complete the task.”

“It was helpful to know that the coursework should take approximately 4-5 hours, but as a slow reader myself, it might be helpful to know the actual workload, and not just the average time commitment.”

“I would suggest reading over the agenda and modules to plan your strategy for completion. My first experience with an online course turned out great!”

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The Fund Raising School is committed to excellence and values feedback from its students and alumni. As the school states on its website: “fundraisers are pragmatic idealists who have big ideas and a strong impulse to create positive and lasting change.” Whether we share those ideas in-person or online, the Fund Raising School—and its students—will continue to make change.

The Fund Raising School acknowledges the tireless work of educators, students, and its community partners to continue to provide critical learning support.

Explore the course offerings

Kelly Young, president of Baise Communications, is an award-winning public relations counselor with 25+ years of experience in working with nonprofit and small businesses. She has worked in nearly every capacity of public relations throughout her career and has a proven track record of success in media relations, social media, brand management, communications planning, and community relations. She has built a strong reputation within the community and is sought after for her industry expertise and thought leadership. Kelly is a natural storyteller and an enthusiastic advocate for causes.

Measuring international giving, globally

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Andy Ware

By Cathie Carrigan

In 2018, 47 countries and economies donated $68 billion in cross-border philanthropy—a figure larger than that of 144 of the world’s 217 economies. The 2020 Global Philanthropy Tracker (GPT) provides a crucial baseline for understanding the important role of cross-border giving as it stood before the COVID-19 pandemic, and will be vital for understanding how countries can support each other in the recovery.

There is a growing scope for the private sector in meeting global challenges. Private actors—individuals supporting international charities, investors and businesses, and corporate and philanthropic foundations—are supplementing a wide range of development activities in addition to the traditional government aid.

When combining philanthropy, remittances, and private capital investment, the 2020 GPT shows that private, nongovernmental sources from 47 countries worldwide contributed $658 billion across national borders in 2018, nearly four times the amount of official development assistance (ODA).

The school worked with data partners in every world region, and included countries at every income level to find that philanthropic gifts were sent from Uganda to India, and the Nigerian Aliko Dangote Foundation made a $20 million gift to The Africa Center in New York.

cross-border resources by flow and economy

But there are other types of flows not captured by traditional data sources, so these numbers are almost certainly underestimates. There is no way to quantify philanthropic transfers of cryptocurrency or property through blockchain, for example, and direct transfers using mobile phones are not tracked systematically.

The 2020 GPT highlights the importance of timely, high-quality data on philanthropy in countries worldwide in order to enhance trust in the philanthropic sector and support multi-sectoral partnerships. Cross-border giving will play a crucial role in the coming years as the world grapples with the public health and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking ahead, in 2021 the school will research and release the next Global Philanthropy Environment Index, which looks at the enabling environment for philanthropy—including the regulatory environment, political and sociocultural environments, and the ability to send and receive philanthropic funds across borders.

Together, the Global Philanthropy Indices offer a comprehensive understanding of the landscape of global giving and are important resources in the toolkit of policymakers, foundation grantmakers, civil society leaders, and individual donors.

Cathie Carrigan is managing director of international programs at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where she works closely with the research team and a network of international partner experts and scholars to disseminate the Global Philanthropy Indices.

Mission Possible: What is your personal philanthropic mission statement?

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Andy Ware

By Kelly Young

IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is on a mission–through Mission Possible–to financially support students who demonstrate a passion for the school and a commitment to pursuing a future in philanthropy.

The annual student competition encourages students to answer the question: “What is your personal philanthropic mission statement?” The top submissions are awarded scholarships in recognition of their commitment to the philanthropic sector.

Due to COVID-19, undergraduate and graduate students were invited to submit a 2-3 minute video and present virtually. Following an interview by the school’s Board of Visitors, the top students were selected.

The first-place winners at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels received a $1,000 scholarship, second place received a $500 scholarship, and the third-place winner received a $250 scholarship.

All six students will also have the opportunity to meet leading Hoosier philanthropists Cindy Simon Skjodt, Rob Smith, and Tiffany Benjamin.

The overall enthusiasm and originality from the winning students were remarkable. Each exhibited a longstanding connection with philanthropy, some dating back to early childhood experiences of giving back as a family.

A strong, evident commitment to continue the spirit of generosity through philanthropic studies was widespread among the students. It was exciting to hear how each student plans to embrace this gift and opportunity to support their pursuit of philanthropy.

While all six are worth mentioning–and I recommend watching each of their videos to learn more–I wanted to give recognition to the top winners in each category.

Undergraduate

First place: Aimee Albright

A mother’s love and commitment to honor the memories of her two daughters led her to the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Through her studies, Albright wants to gain the knowledge and skills to be a successful philanthropist and enhance her work with the Melanie and Rosalie Albright Foundation.

Her daughters both found joy in life through participating in theatre, while battling cystic fibrosis–a battle they ultimately lost. Albright runs the foundation while pursuing her degree in philanthropy.

The scholarship will support her education while strengthening her ability to run a successful organization. She created the foundation in loving memory of her two daughters. The foundation provides scholarships and performance opportunities to young people wishing to participate in all aspects of theatre.

“The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy will give me the knowledge that I need to be able to help the Melanie and Rosalie Albright Foundation be successful in making a positive impact on young people’s lives,” Albright said.

Graduate

First place: Afshan Paarlberg

As a child of immigrants and a long-time immigration attorney, Paarlberg is keenly aware of the challenges individuals of marginalized communities face. She is a mission-driven attorney who feels called to philanthropy to support her passion of protecting human rights and fostering diversity and inclusion of marginalized voices.

She is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, where she believes learning from industry experts and leading researchers will help her along her journey to develop solutions and help others.

“The gravitational pull toward philanthropy was undeniable for me and the return to school was one of the best decisions of my life,” Paarlberg said. “The Lilly Family School of Philanthropy has provided warmth and mentorship during my research and as I move into applying for the Ph.D. program.”

Congratulations to the top six winners:

Undergraduate

First place – Aimee Albright

Second place – Maren Lehman

Third place – Caleb Johnson

Graduate

First place – Afshan Paarlberg

Second place – Keenan Harrell

Third place – Shivant Shrestha

Building a temple of generosity

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Anne Brock

By Kevin Starcher

I came across the tale a long time ago, and have long lost the source of its origination. But its impact is strong, and I share it for the context of this brief essay.

Two brothers began a milling business. One was married with a family and one was single.

They determined right at the beginning of the establishment of their business that they would split the excess flour 50-50, half for me, half for my brother. They agreed to it, no problem.

A little time passed and business was prosperous. Things were going well and they kept their bargain, and finally one day the single brother said to himself, “My brother has a wife and children. He has much more demand on his resources. It’s not fair for me to have half and for him to have half. I know what I am going to do.”

He didn’t want to embarrass his brother so he figured out how he was going to do it. In the darkness of night, he was going to take from his extra store and shift it over into his brother’s. And that’s what he did.

About the same time, the married brother said, “You know what, I am just so blessed by wife and family and my poor brother over here, he is single and he doesn’t have all of those blessings. It’s not fair that I have as much as he does. I am going to give to him so he has an extra blessing.” And he did the same exact thing as his brother. He took from the storage that he had and he started secretly at night putting it in his brother’s extra.

Every day these guys woke up and looked at their storage bins and neither one of them saw them going down. They were equal all the time.

As you may guess, the inevitable happened. One night they ran in to each other, each holding their bag of flour, and they looked at each other and embraced.

The elders say that God reached down and touched that spot of their love and said, “This is where I will build my temple, because it must become a place of generosity.”

The powerful fable illustrates so much regarding what we know and believe about stewardship in the religious world. The power of caring for one’s brother/neighbor; the joy of sacrificial giving, the reassurance of abundance, and a reflection of divine love dwelling in the midst of caring human relationships.

Praying, dreaming, discerning, planning, and implementing creative ways to nurture human relationships during COVID-19 has been a very real task of ministry throughout this past year. How does the church nurture “human embrace” all the while enforcing physical distancing?

Thankfully, leaders at Lake Institute on Faith & Giving found ways to reach out and care for community builders as we lived through the beginning chapters of the pandemic. Throughout the summer, these leaders offered an opportunity for community formation to a diversity of faith-based leaders to drop in via Zoom. During a time when maintaining relationships was difficult, Lake Institute provided leadership, example, and a platform to bring people into a nurturing community.

It was during one of these sessions where God’s Spirit came alive to me amid conversation, with a woman who lives 1,500 miles away. The question was asked if any leaders were looking to embark on major expenses throughout the coming months. My linear mind blurted out loud to the virtual group my ponderings over whether an investment of $30,000 to create comfortable outdoor space would be a wise investment given two major factors: 1) $30,000 is a lot of money for our congregation, and 2) the unknown timeline of the pandemic should be influencing our decision making, but how could we guess the timeline?

A colleague from New Jersey, known to me only through the virtual community, responded by saying, “Should not every investment of our resources be used to nurture the community of believers?” The wisdom of her words embraced my naivety and the Holy Spirit said, “Yes, even here in this virtual world, I will build my temple.”

The forum was a reminder that our ministries are not about dollars or programs or outdoor pavilions. Our ministry is always about nurturing relationships that foster God’s generous and loving Spirit; creating spaces and opportunities for people to embrace one another in care and generosity, with the reassurance that God is very close.

The Zoom meetings didn’t turn the world upside-down that day. But I’d like to think that God smiled upon the community that gathered virtually to share and care.

In the midst of supportive, generous relationships, God says, “yes, this is where I will build my temple!” How are you allowing God to build a Holy Temple of Love in the midst of your community?

Kevin Starcher is the pastor/head of staff at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Boise, ID. More importantly, Kevin is grateful to be a Beloved Child of the Most High God and blessed with an incredible spouse (Chrissy) and two wonderful children.