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In this Issue:
Upcoming Workshops | People in Philanthropy | Grant announcements | Fundraising news | Surveys and Reports | Fundraiser's Toolbox | Jobs in Philanthropy | Raise a Glass
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Feb 6, 2025 1-4 PM
National Foundations: Know Who and Know How
We are again joining with Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to present the top 100 national grantmakers that give in MN.
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Materials from these past workshop are available:
- MN Arts & Culture Funders Book of 150+ Profiles and Workshop recording
- Unlocking the 990 and Other Prospecting Tools & Directories
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This spring we will present two events:
- Federal Grants (Introduction)
- Small Family Foundations
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In our workshops and consultations, AP stresses the importance of developing relationships with foundation personnel, especially in your field of interest. Here are a bunch of new foundation folks you may want to contact.
Olivia Rasmussen joined the McKnight Foundation in November 2024 as a program and grants associate for Grants & Program Operations. In this role, Olivia supports all aspects of the grantmaking process for Arts & Culture grantee partners.
LuAnn Robinson is the new Grants Program Officer at Blandin Foundation.
The Ford Foundation announced that its world-renowned executive vice president, Hillary Pennington, and Kathy Reich, the director of Ford’s BUILD, are retiring. Ford President Darren Walker will retire at the end of 2025. Wow. Watch this page for program changes after all these folks start moving on.
Jean Sazevich, the first Executive Director of the relatively new Wilson Foundation (2021), will leave the foundation in January. Jean has also worked for the Horst Rechelbacher Foundation, the Minneapolis Foundation, and the Heading Home Funders Collaborative.
Check the Grants Announcement section below for the Wilson Foundation's latest grants.
Mortenson Family Foundation Welcomes New Organizational Development Director
Mortenson Family Foundation announced Sara Boedecker-Johnston has joined the Foundation as Organizational Development Director, a new position intended to support Foundation grantees.
Sara has over 20 years of experience in education, focusing on strategic leadership, change management, collaboration, and systems design. Most recently, she served as Regional Chief of Staff at Educators for Excellence, where she led team meetings, annual planning, project management, and DEI initiatives for the organization’s Minnesota and Chicago teams.
Interested in other local nonprofit personnel changes? Check out Lars Leafblad’s TLE Newsletter (That Lars Email) on LinkedIn. Full of interesting changes.
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CHAT WITH US!
Thirty Minutes Free with
Access Philanthropy Crew Members
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Need a sounding board for your development ideas? Need promising new ideas from the philanthropic sector? Need someone to think about the big picture or the day-to-day fundraising stuff? AP crew members offer 30-minute chats for free. Drop a note to 4info@accessphilanthropy.com to set up a time to chat. Email us! | | |
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GRANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Opportunities
Here are a few grant opportunities that AP has come across which may have broad interest.
Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation grant, opens January 2.
Patrick and Amy Butler Foundation’s Community Grants Program and Special Projects Grants Program provide two-year funding to 501(c)(3) organizations in three priority areas: the Arts, Environment, and Human Services.
The Foundation’s Democracy Program team created a $100,000 “Safety Fund” to assist state Democracy grantee partners throughout the Great Lakes region with safety and security planning before and after election season. This rapid response fund provides nonpartisan organizations with up to $5,000 to strengthen their offices' cybersecurity and physical safety plans during a particularly contentious presidential election year and post-election period.”
NEA Big Read 2025-2025 Theme: Our Nature Applications are now open for NEA Big Read grants to support community-wide reading programs between September 2025 and June 2026 under the new theme, “Our Nature: How Our Physical Environment Can Lead Us to Seek Hope, Courage, and Connection.”
An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with Arts Midwest, the NEA Big Read supports a range of events and activities designed around a single NEA Big Read book. This program aims to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a variety of voices and perspectives, encourage cross-sector collaboration, and build stronger connections in each community.
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation’s Minnesota Community IDEAS Program seeks to design, test and spread ideas that make our communities better for everyone and inspire, equip, and connect people through meaningful, community-led change. Grants will be awarded within three target communities, with five grants awarded within each of the communities: Greater Minnesota | Twin Cities 7-county Metro Area | Native-led, Native-serving organizations.
Stevens Square Foundation grant application opens on January 6. The Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and enabling older adults to live with dignity and independence.
Walmart Foundation’s Spark Good Local Grant amounts range from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $5,000. Grant applications are accepted and reviewed during three submission periods: 3/1 – 7/15, 8/6 – 10/15, and 11/1 – 12/31.
Northside Youth Enrichment Fund is now accepting applications with an available pool of $180,000. The application period runs from November 15, 2024, through January 13, 2025.
Join their grant review committee: Last year, a grant review panel of nine young people and three adults reviewed over 65 applications and awarded over $170,000 to 12 Northside projects. NFG is again seeking to engage up to nine youths to join a grant review committee alongside three NFG members.
Microsoft Tools: Nonprofits can save on Microsoft Solutions—including Azure, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft 365.
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Announcements of grantees/ grant news:
NDN Collective announced the recipients of the 2024 Community Self-Determination Grant.
Northwest Area Foundation’s Q3 Grants Highlight Healing as a Key Condition of Justice.
Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation: What We Fund. This section updates the Bigelow and Mardag Foundation and SP & MN Foundation changes.
The Wilson Foundation (see personnel announcement above) released its November 2024 grant recipients list. The relatively new (2021) funder focuses on climate change and pathways out of poverty.
The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation and LISC Award $1.7 Million to Upgrade Under-Resourced Community Sporting Spaces in 20 Cities and Towns
Twenty youth sports organizations nationwide (but none in MN) received matching grants to fix or build sports arenas, fields, etc. The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation (Sports Matters) champions youth sports. It grants and supports under-resourced teams and athletes through its Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives.
Carnegie Corporation Clarifies its Education Program Priorities:
According to LaVerne Evans Srinivasan, Vice President, National Program, and Program Director, priorities are:
- Education for Economic and Social Mobility: Direct investments in schools, interventions, and programming that increase the number of young people on track to complete a postsecondary pathway leading to a mobility wage career.
- Education for Civic Participation: Interventions and programming that create the conditions in and out of school for youth and families to be meaningfully engaged in their communities and build the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and agency needed to be productive citizens and future leaders.
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Fun Fact
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fundraising Managers rank 71st among the Highest Paid US Occupations, about 30 steps lower than HR Managers and a few steps above Art Managers.
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| OCCUPATION NAME | ANNUAL MEDIAN SALARY 2022 | EST EMPLOYEES, NATIONAL 2022 | ANNUAL MEDIAN SALARY 2021 | EST. EMPLOYEES, NATIONAL 2021 | | Fundraising Managers | $107,390 | 26,240 | $100,810 | 23,190 | | |
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Twin Cities Funders and Theatres of Color Are Transforming Relationships, Part One
kt shorb, VP for the Consortium of Asian American Theaters & Artists, has written an in-depth essay on how Twin Cities Theatres of Color Coalition (TCTOCC) and Racial Equity Funders Collaborative (REFC) have been working in solidarity with equity-minded funders to create a new and unique model for resource development.
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Wanna Understand All the Ins and Outs of Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)?
Here's the full DAF report for 2024 --The 2024 DAF Report | NPTrust
And here are the bullet points.
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Soros’s Open Society Foundations Say They’re Dropping Health Interest Area but Remain Focused on Human Rights
Over the past three years, the grantmaker has undergone a major internal reorganization, winding down its global public health program and diminishing its programs in the European Union.
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Multigenerational Family Wealth Office
While this piece emphasizes the specific elements of Family Philanthropy Wealth Offices, the overall piece explains how Wealth Offices work, a growing force in institutional philanthropy.
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Rage Giving is Back - For How Long?
The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that Rage Giving is back. The phenomenon, first identified and named after Donald Trump's election in 2016, is happening again in the days after his re-election. Donors are opening their wallets to support charities whose missions will likely be at risk during the new administration.
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Warren Buffet plans another $1.1 billion foundation distribution
Warren Buffett announced that he's donated another $1.1B to his family foundations. Most stories will focus on the top-line number or the cumulative donations. But some other things in his letter are worth highlighting (and I encourage you to read it in full, primarily if you work with ultra-high net wealth individuals).
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From #CrappyFundingPractices *
Here are a few takeaways from a recent post at #Crappy Fundraising Practices:
Fundraising consultant Becky Francis had this to say:
Dear Corporate Funder,
After watching countless charities bend over backward, I think it’s time we all agreed that there is a better way to do this.
- Know what you want and say it. Clear criteria save time and sanity.
- If you’re asking a huge question, give us more than 100 words to answer it.
- Give a consolation prize. This is a BIG investment. If we’ve done the work but aren’t selected, consider a little (cough-5-figure-cough) contribution to cover time and effort.
- Leaving it to your employees? Corporate giving should involve corporate giving!
- Don’t get me started on ‘shiny new glory project’ requests. We know what our beneficiaries need; we’re already doing it.
- P.S. Your Sunday night deadline is not welcome. Put. It. In. The. Bin.
*If you’ve never encountered #CrappyFundingPractices, their LinkedIn page is managed by Vu Le from Nonprofit AF.
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SURVEY SAYS
Philanthropy Surveys and Reports
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Using Storytelling for Fundraising
A Communications Network Pulse Research Survey found:
Nearly all communicators report using storytelling in their external communications.
While storytelling is widely used and essential to organizations across the sector, there are barriers to its use. One common barrier is a need for more staff time.
Definitions of storytelling vary widely, with most describing the process or approach it enables or the intended goals when this tactic is used.
Social media, e-newsletters, and your media properties are the best tools for storytelling. This is consistent with the channels and platforms communicators have consistently said were their priorities this year (LinkedIn, e-newsletters, e-mail, Instagram, and Facebook).
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Instrumentl’s Report: When Are Grant Deadlines the Craziest? The Peaks of Grant Season.
A few months back, the grantmaker database provider Instrumentl (no “a”) published a nice little report on the most popular months for grant deadlines (spoiler alert: October, March, and September). Unsurprisingly, the busiest deadline dates in any month are the 1st, 15th, and last day of the month.
As you plan for the 2025 grant season, this report might help determine when your grant staff will be most stressed out or when you need to invest more time.
Reminder: Access Philanthropy provides project grant research and grantwriting services for nonprofits and government agencies. 4info@accessphilanthropy.
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Future of Philanthropy
Vanguard Charitable's new Harris Poll surveyed more than 2,000 Americans. Results tell them Americans believe the future of philanthropy is local and more passionate about social impact. And that women will play a more significant role in charitable giving.
Key Findings:
- 62% agree that most future monetary donations will be to local organizations instead of national or international organizations.
- 59% agree that younger generations (Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha) are more likely to give money than older generations (Boomers, Silent Generation) to nonprofit organizations attempting to solve significant societal and environmental issues.
- 55% believe the future of philanthropy will be women making the majority of monetary donations.
- 60% of Millennials (ages 28-43) and 52% of Gen Z (ages 18-27) agree that younger generations (Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha) will give monetary donations to the same nonprofit organizations and/or cause areas as their parents’ or grandparents’ generation compared to just 42% of Gen X (ages 44-59) and 33% of Boomers.
- 68% believe that most future monetary donations will be direct transfers solicited via digital platforms.
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58% of Millennials and 56% of Gen Z agree that, in the future, younger generations (Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha) will give more significant sums of money to nonprofit organizations than older generations (Boomers, Silent Generation), compared to just 39% of Gen X and 24% of Boomers.
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FUNDRAISER'S TOOLBOX
Where Nonprofits And Funders Go to Solve Some of Their Biggest Problems
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Positioning Strategy Cheat sheet
Kevin L. Brown has created a cheat sheet with ten steps to differentiate your fundraising. He’s drawing from the positioning strategy outlined in a longer article.
“Positioning strategy: brand approach,” published on his blog on Mighty Ally.
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JOBS IN PHILANTHROPY
This is a free job board that AP puts together. Our interest is getting good Minnesota nonprofit folks into good local and national foundation jobs.
Great Job Boards from Other Organizations: Minnesota Council On Foundations, Funders For LGBTQ, Emerging Practitioners In Philanthropy, Peak Grantmaking, Philanthropy Job Board Hub, Foundation List, and Association of Black Foundation Executives
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Charles F. and Beatrice D. Adams Charitable Trust is hiring an Executive Director.
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The tremendous social justice-focused Arca Foundation is seeking a Grants and Operations Associate.
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One of the most interesting new mega-funders, Arnold Ventures (TX), is hiring a Grants Manager.
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The national education foundation Ascendium (Madison, WI ) needs a Deputy Director of Education Grantmaking.
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Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (Oakland) is seeking a President and CEO. This is a funder collaborative for Asian American funders. Although it has little money, it offers great collaborations and collective action.
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MINNESOTA The great Black-owned, Black-operated Black Collective Foundation MN seeks a Vice President of Advancement and External Relations. This is an excellent opportunity to work with great people.
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MINNESOTA Two big social sector jobs at Best Buy. Get all those young tech geeks involved in good organizations!
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Annie E. Casey Foundation is hiring a Senior Communications Manager for Media Relations.
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Silicon Valley-based and focused Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) has several openings. If you’re a scientist, look them up. They have hundreds of contractors.
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Commonwealth Fund (NY, DC) has a few open positions, including Program Associate, International Health Policy, and Practice Innovations.
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Cricket Island Foundation (NY) is hiring a Program Officer .
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Equality Fund is hiring a Program Officer (Ottawa, Remote).
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Ford Foundation is interviewing for the summer internship .
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(Bill and Melinda) Gates Foundation (Seattle) has several open positions.
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The Heising-Simons Foundation, a national leader in climate, education, human rights, and science, seeks a Director of Climate and Clean Energy. This is a great opportunity.
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Justice Climate Fund (DC) is hiring for multiple remote roles, including two managing director roles. Their grants are distributed throughout the US, including nine communities in MN.
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One of our favorite foundations, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (Battle Creek, MI), is hiring a Communications Manager. The foundation is focused on Mississippi, Michigan, New Mexico, and New Orleans, but it is also the largest strictly Racial Diversity funder in the U.S.
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Lemelson Foundation (Portland, OR) is hiring a Program Officer for Climate Action. Interesting grantmaker with some focus on Invention.
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MINNESOTA Local Initiatives Support Corporation (MN) seeks an Executive Director in the Twin Cities.
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Henry Luce Foundation (NY) has started a search for a new President and CEO.
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Lumos Foundation (London), author J.K. Rowling's foundation, is hiring a CEO.
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John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (Chicago) has several open internships and positions, including Grants Management Administrator.
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MINNESOTA Minnesota Star Tribune is hiring a Vice President, Philanthropy.
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The National Endowment for the Humanities (DC) is hiring a Grants Management Specialist.
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NEO Philanthropy (NY) needs a Program Officer for the Economic Mobility & Opportunity Fund—mostly a pass-through (see Intermediary article above) for other funders. Great contacts.
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MINNESOTA Minnesota’s Northwest Area Foundation (MN) is hiring a Program VP.
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Detroit’s Skillman Foundation (former stomping grounds of McKnight’s Tonya Allen) needs a Program Manager.
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Irving, CA-based Taco Bell Foundation (scholarships and youth program innovations) is hiring a Director. Ask if they have an employee cafeteria.
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MINNESOTA Walser Automotive has an opening for a Foundation Manager.
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RAISE A GLASS
Remembering Two Apartheids
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I have a photo on my computer screen of a woman I know whose grandfather died at the Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, 1890. Even though the Massacre happened 124 years ago, her picture keeps American apartheid alive and present for me.
At the same time, my brother was born on December 18, 1946, the very same day as Bantu Stephen Biko, the South African apartheid martyr who was at the forefront of a grassroots anti-apartheid campaign known as the Black Consciousness Movement and founder of the South African Students' Organisation during the late 1960s and 1970s.
We need to keep the memories of the Native American and South African apartheid victims up close and personal. So when you’re with friends this month, Raise a Glass to our past apartheid martyrs. At the same time, Raise a Glass to their young heirs upon whom we must rely on to keep the struggle alive. 2025 may be a challenging year for them.
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SO, WHAT EXACTLY DOES ACCESS PHILANTHROPY
DO FOR A LIVING?
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Fundraising
- Strategic Planning for Fundraising
- Grant Writing
- Fundraising Perception Research
- Fundraising Positioning and Messaging
- Prospect Research for Institutional and Individual Donors
- Wealth Screening
- Capital Campaigns
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Organizational Development
- Strategic Planning
- Executive Coaching
- Program Evaluation
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THANKS FOR SPENDING TIME WITH US.
Need some ideas, someone to talk to about fundraising, or just a fabulous listener/chatter?
4info@accessphilanthropy.com
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