San Diego Grantmakers

2009 Annual Conference

The San Diego Grantmakers
2008 Annual Conference

Thursday, October 23, 2008
9:00am-5:30pm
Joe & Vi Jacobs Center

Read below for details and handouts from each session.
Click here to fill out the conference evaluation if you have not done so already.
Click here (pdf) for a document that includes a summary and graphic representations of the plenary sessions, created by Sterling Insights.

The SDG Annual Conference is a wonderful chance to come together with our community of givers and discover ways to strengthen your philanthropy. This is an event where no matter what the type, shape, or size of your giving--be it independent, family, community, public, individual, giving circle, corporate foundation or corporate giving program--you leave with invigorating new ideas about how to give in the most effective ways. Read below for all the details.

Click here (large pdf) to download the conference program, and click here for an addendum sheet.
Click here (large pdf) to download the conference invitation.

Session and Speaker Information and Materials

Our keynote speakers are:

Joel Kotkin - an engaging speaker, futurist, and highly respected author of The City: A Global History and a forthcoming book on trends shaping America in 2050.

Opening Plenary: “Destination San Diego 2050: Back to Basics”

Click here (very large pdf) for the PowerPoint presentation.
Click here (pdf) for Joel's recent article in the Washington Post.

As San Diego plans and prepares for our future, how can philanthropy provide leadership that results in solutions and contributes to an improved quality of life for all of our citizens? Joel Kotkin will address these issues with the following framework:

Why philanthropy should pay more attention to the middle class and why class matters
Why supporting job skill development is critical to a sustainable economy
Why families are changing in ways that change the needs of communities
Why the key to the region's health lies in focusing on the needs of neighborhoods.

Kotkin graphic1

Kotkin graphic 2

Andy Goodman - a nationally recognized author, consultant and public interest communications expert who helps foundations communicate more effectively in pursuit of their missions. He consistently receives rave reviews from his audiences.

Closing Plenary: “Telling the Stories of San Diego Philanthropy”

Since we first began talking to each other, telling stories has been an effective way to capture attention, engage an audience, and motivate them to act. In the public interest sector, though, translating complex issues, goals that are often intangible and abstract ideas into a good story can be a daunting challenge. Modern technology has given us shiny new tools to help us communicate– from PowerPoint to podcasts – but in our fervor to remain current (and appear professional) we often ignore our natural inclination to tell a good story. In this plenary, Andy Goodman will explain why he believes storytelling is the single most powerful communication tool grantmakers possess, and he will offer specific ways your organization can use stories to advance your mission.

Goodman graphic

We will also feature The Grantmaking Report: Foundation
& Corporate Giving in the San Diego Region, published in September by SDG and the USD Institute for Nonprofit Education and Research.

Morning Workshops

Conference attendees will select one morning and one afternoon workshop.

#1: The Journey of Family Philanthropy: Making Every Generation Count

Stephanie Yang, Founder, SYD Consulting
Lisa Parker, President, Lawrence Welk Family Foundation
Shirley Fredricks, Vice President & Trustee, The Lawrence Welk Family Foundation

Click here (pdf) for an NCFP handout.
Click here (pdf) for a guide to giving for social change.
Click here (pdf) for a resource on nurturing giving in children.

Engaging in intergenerational family philanthropy provides an opportunity to share values, strategies, and creativity for impacting your community. Hear from experts and other families like your own on how to map the steps for your grantmaking’s long-term impact; why multi-generational philanthropy is critical for success; and how your giving experience shapes San Diego's future. Explore trends, tools, and resources to recognize your family philanthropy's
strengths now and plan for generations to come. Family foundations, donor-advised funds, and individual philanthropists are welcome.

#2: Finding the Route for Your Corporate Giving Strategy

Ophelia Basgal, Vice President, Civic Partnerships and Community Initiatives, Pacific Gas & Electric Company
Renata Hron Gomez, Senior Program Officer, The Hitachi Foundation

Click here (large pdf) for the presentation.

Globally, ever-growing numbers of social issues cause communities, employees, and other stakeholders to expect corporate philanthropy to do its part in addressing these needs. The San Diego region is no exception. How can corporate giving programs and foundations reconcile external expectations and needs with their own internal strategic plans? In this session, we will address the challenges of balancing the needs and wants of multiple stakeholders to resolve the tension between “charity” and “strategic philanthropy.”

#3: A Basic Roadmap for Grant Evaluation

Jennifer James, Vice President, Harder+Company

Click here (large pdf) for the presentation.

What are the best ways to measure the impact of your grants? This session, led by an expert in evaluation, research, and technical assistance, offers an overview for creating an effective evaluation strategy. You will leave the session with practical tools and knowledge about structuring evaluations;
an understanding of what can and cannot be accomplished through evaluation; how to use evaluation results; and, innovative ways to develop evaluation capacity for the benefit of our community.

#4: Navigating to Great Nonprofits

Perla Ni, CEO, GreatNonprofits

Are you sometimes overwhelmed by the number of nonprofit organizations out there? How can you find the most effective nonprofits so that your grants will make a real difference in our community? This session will explore tools available to help grantmakers identify, review, and invest in strong organizations. GuideStar's mission is to revolutionize philanthropy and nonprofit practice by advancing transparency and encouraging giving. GreatNonprofits is a place to discuss great—and perhaps not yet great—groups, modeled as an online “Zagat”-style guide for our sector.

#5: Pathways to Diversity in Philanthropy

Henry A.J. Ramos, Director and Lead Consultant, Diversity in Philanthropy Project and Principal, Mauer Kunst Consulting
Renée B. Branch, Director of Diversity and Inclusive Practices, Council on Foundations

Click here (large pdf) for Henry's presentation.
Click here (very large pdf) for Renee's presentation.
Click here (pdf) for a Diversity in Philanthropy Project handout.
Click here for the SDG Diversity resources webpage (SDG member log-in required).

Recent months have surfaced renewed questions about the best ways for organized philanthropy to advance effectiveness through diversity, following growing demands in some quarters for public regulation of our profession on the issues. Addressing diversity is thus a growing imperative in our field today, but what does it actually mean in the context of our work: where the grants go, who receives them, who gives them, funder business practices? Join us to learn from two leading professionals about national efforts to answer these questions and why they matter for your organization.

#6: Trying to Turn the Corner: The Economy, Poverty and Philanthropy

Donald Cohen, President and Executive Director, Center for Policy Initiatives
Sushma Raman, President, Southern California Grantmakers
Ann Tartre, Senior Advisor, Community Giving Resource

Click here (pdf) for the handout.
Click here and here for Sterling Insights' graphic representations of the morning session.
Click here and here for Sterling Insights' graphic representations of the afternoon session.

When the economy is challenged—due to the mortgage crisis, rising costs, job loss, and more—San Diego citizens in poverty become even more vulnerable. How can grantmakers help social service nonprofits that are struggling to serve more clients? Can funders be a voice for policies that improve government services even as government dollars are diminishing? What are the most critical issues facing San Diego? Our speakers will bring varying perspectives to this urgent situation in our community, providing suggestions for things you can do to make a difference.

Afternoon Workshops

Conference attendees will select one morning and one afternoon workshop.

#7: The Advocacy Adventure: Leveraging Funding for Greater Impact

Gigi Barsoum, Health Policy Specialist, The California Endowment
John Fanestil, Executive Director, Foundation for Change
Diane Takvorian, Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition

Click here (large pdf) for Gigi's presentation.
Click here (pdf) for Worry-Free Lobbying for Nonprofits.
Click here (pdf) for Community Foundations & Advocacy.
Click here (pdf) for Family Foundations & Advocacy.
Click here (pdf) for Private Foundations May Advocate.
Click here (pdf) for Public Foundations Lobbying Rules.
Click here (pdf) for Grants to Organizations that Lobby.

In difficult times, funders must be innovative and efficient in order to get the most out of our investments. Many grantmakers have integrated advocacy into their funding strategies to create a more meaningful and long-lasting impact. A large statewide foundation and a smaller grassroots foundation will share lessons learned and best practices for funding advocacy efforts and building the capacity of community organizations to engage in advocacy. Plus, you will hear from a grantee about how their activities have helped to enact better policies.

#8: San Diego’s Geographic Imperative: Cross-Border Philanthropy

Julieta Mendez, Program Officer for Health & Human Services, International Community Foundation (ICF)
Miguel Aldrete and Rosalynda Giannone, donors, Legacy4Life Fund at ICF
Frank Lalle, Program Director, The California Wellness Foundation
Andrew Carey, Executive Director, Border Philanthropy Partnership

Click here (large pdf) for Julieta's presentation.
Click here (large pdf) for the Legacy4Life Fund presentation.
Click here (large pdf) for the Border Philanthropy Partnership presentation.

San Diego’s shared border with Mexico creates a multitude of issues, opportunities and emerging challenges with the potential to divide or unite the people of these two regions. How can grantmakers better understand the impact of the border in creating bi-national connections? This session will bring together experts and funders to explore growing cross-border interdependencies in areas of health, human services, education and the environment, and how philanthropy can make a difference in each region.

#9: Funders Traveling Together: Collaborative Grantmaking

Edward B. Kacic, President and CEO, Irvine Health Foundation
Peter Ellsworth, President, The Legler Benbough Foundation
Katherine Crow, San Diego HIV Funding Collaborative
Sid Voorakkara, Program Officer, The California Endowment and SD Workforce Funders Collaborative

Click here (pdf) for Edward's presentation.
Click here (large pdf) for Katherine's presentation.
Click here (pdf) for Sid's presentation.

Did you know that SDG currently facilitates a wide range of funder collaborations and working groups? In this session, a diverse cadre of grantmakers will discuss the impact of collaborative grantmaking, including focused approaches, reduced redundancy, and greater leverage of funds. You will hear about both the successes and challenges of this kind of funding, from local, state, and national perspectives.

#10: Navigating to Great Nonprofits
Encore presentation: see description above.

#11: Pathways to Diversity in Philanthropy
Encore presentation: see description above.

#12: Trying to Turn the Corner: The Economy, Poverty and Philanthropy
Encore presentation: see description above.

Agenda

9:00-9:30 am Registration & Breakfast

9:30-10:45 am Welcome & Opening Plenary

11:00 am-12:30 pm Morning Workshops

12:30-1:30 pm Networking Lunch

1:45-3:15 pm Afternoon Workshops

3:30-4:30 pm Closing Plenary

4:30-5:30 pm Wine & Beer Reception
Reception featuring multicultural entertainment and appetizers representing the cultures of southeastern San Diego, hosted by Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation, the Neighborhood Unity Foundation, and the resident-led International Outreach Team.

Registration

New this year! Register online. Note that SDG cannot accept credit cards; you will need to mail a check for the registration fees after filling out the online form.

You can also save your space by emailing conference@sdgrantmakers.org, or click here (pdf) for a registration form that you can mail or fax. Registrations are due by October 17, 2008 (deadline extended!).

The registration fee (payable to San Diego Grantmakers) is $125 per person for SDG members, and $175 per person for non-member grantmakers.

Logistics

Location & Directions
The conference location is the Joe & Vi Jacobs Center, a brand-new, 75,000-sq. ft., three-story building housing a cultural training kitchen, a state-of-the-art meeting and conference center, accessible community and office space, a showplace for public art, and a neighborhood gathering place. Click here (pdf) for directions (note: directions updated as of 10/21/08).

Joe & Vi Jacobs Center
404 Euclid Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114

The Joe and Vi Jacobs Center is located at the southwest corner of Euclid Avenue and Market Street, behind (west of) Market Creek Plaza. From Interstate 805, take MLK Freeway (94) East and exit at Euclid Avenue South. Continue on Euclid and turn R on Market St. Turn L at next light (Market Creek Plaza Driveway). The Joe & Vi Jacobs Center will be in front of you—turn R into parking lot.

Parking
There is a large parking lot at the conference facility. Parking is free.

Questions?
Contact SDG at 619/744-2180 or conference@sdgrantmakers.org.