Today, the role of philanthropy is expanding and so are its responsibilities. This online SDGrantmakers Update is published by San Diego Grantmakers to help you meet the challenge. Our mission is to connect, teach, develop, and inspire a diverse group of foundations and corporations to stimulate effective philanthropy in the San Diego region. For more information, visit www.SDGrantmakers.org.

"Two kinds of gratitude: the sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give." - Edwin Arlington Robinson (U.S. poet, 1869-1935)

Welcome New Members:
San Diego Union Tribune
San Diego Women's Foundation
The Westreich Foundation
Ellen G. and Edward G. Wong Family Foundation

A complete report of the results of our recent member survey is forthcoming, but one thing that came through loud and clear is that SDG is about networking, networking, networking! However, because everyone is so extremely busy these days and because the San Diego region is so spread out and so overwhelmed by traffic jams, members often find it difficult to find time to attend programs where they can connect personally with their colleagues. We will continue to explore ways to make in-person events more easily fit into your calendars. In the meantime, try these other ways to connect:

Use the SDG Listserv
This is an underutilized but powerful way for members to connect with each other. By using the SDG Members Listserv you can communicate with your grantmaking colleagues: submit questions, give feedback or share your grantmaking highlights by emailing members@sdgrantmakers.org. Or email us and we can post a message for you. Here are some examples: you need to explore a potential grantee, or are searching for a partner that might be interested in funding an exciting new program--- just email members@sdgrantmakers.org and see what people say!

Look for the upcoming Grants Directory
In 2006, we will be rolling out our new members-only Grants Directory. You will be able to search by Grantor or Grantee and find who is funding what in San Diego. Then you can get in touch with others who might have insights to share and help facilitate your grantmaking decisions. Once again...the power of computers to connect us.

Who in the world is the most generous? Is it Americans, who lead the world in cash donations to charities, measured as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP)? Or is it the people of the Netherlands, who give more of their time and money combined and, thus, lead the world in overall philanthropic behavior? The latest report on both giving and the time value of philanthropic behavior as a percentage of GDP, from 1995 to 2002, will spur such questions. Private Philanthropy Across the World was compiled by the Center for Civil Society Studies at the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Policy Studies, as part of the Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project. Download a chart with data on private philanthropy in more than 30 countries.

PND's 2005 Year in Review issue includes much information of interest to grantmakers, including a legislative round-up (2005 was quite a year in Congress!), accountability summary (has the debate cooled?), emerging trends in philanthropy (including disaster giving, online giving, giving circles and more), and a preview of what 2006 holds for our sector (rebuilding the Gulf Coast, even more emphasis on corporate citizenship, and more regulatory reform).

Come to Foundations on the Hill, March 14-15, 2006, in Washington, DC. Sponsored by the Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, the event brings foundation representatives from across the country to meet with members of Congress. Foundation representatives can inform and educate Congress about philanthropy, create visibility for foundations and philanthropy, advocate on issues affecting foundations, and encourage Congress to view foundations as a resource on public policy issues. In addition to congressional meetings, participants attend training sessions and a breakfast event featuring remarks by a member of Congress. Registration for Foundations on the Hill is open to all grantmaking foundations. Register or find out more by clicking here. Let Nancy know if you are interested in attending!

Charitable giving by 189 of the largest U.S. companies and corporate foundations totaled $7.8 billion in 2004, according to The Conference Board’s 2005 Corporate Contributions Report. The total represents 65.8 percent of the estimated $12 billion in corporate charitable giving in 2004. The report, which also compared 133 of the largest U.S. companies and corporate foundations between 2003 and 2004, found that contributions to worthy causes increased by 22 percent. According to The Conference Board, these matched cases provide the most accurate analysis of year-to-year trends in U.S. corporate giving. The report also found that survey respondents gave $6.3 billion to U.S.-based organizations in 2004, while international giving totaled $1.45 billion. Read more here.

More than 54 percent of all corporate giving in 2004 was made in the form of products and other noncash gifts, the first time a majority of giving was merchandise, reports The Wall Street Journal. While charities welcome the gifts, some companies take overly generous deductions for their donations and take other liberties because product donations are not closely monitored, the newspaper says. Click here for more info.

Reputation & Branding in Corporate Grantmaking
Presented by Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship
February 7, 2006
8:30 am - 10:30 am
Location: Amylin Pharmaceuticals, 9360 Towne Centre Drive, Ste. 110, San Diego, CA
Breakfast Program

Exceptional Board Governance: 2nd Annual Institute for Nonprofit Stewardship
February 11, 2006
9:00-4:00 pm
Location: Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, USD, 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110
Conference sponsored by University of San Diego, Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program, $65 per person

A Conversation with Steve Gunderson: New Council on Foundations CEO
March 2, 2006
8:30-10:30 am
Location: TBD, please see www.sdgrantmakers.org for update
Breakfast Program

Corporate Giving Roundtable
Leadership in San Diego's Community Investment: An All Corporate Members Meeting
March 23, 2006
8:00 am - 10:00 am
Location: University Club Atop Symphony Towers, 750 B Street, Suite 3400, San Diego, CA 92101
Breakfast Roundtable

All programs are free for SDG members except where indicated. To RSVP, please call (619) 744-2180 or email programs@sdgrantmakers.org.

North County Philanthropy Council Luncheon:
Grants and Beyond--What Community Foundations Can Do for You!
January 27, 2006
Lake San Marcos Country Club, 1750 San Pablo Drive, San Marcos, CA

The North Country Philanthropy Council presents Christy Wilson of the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation, Paul Thompson and Charlene Pryor of the San Diego Foundation, and Charlene Seidle of the Jewish Community Foundation. Register online here.

University of San Diego Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program
Ethics Dialogue Series
2nd Thursdays, 7:30-9:00am (2/9, 3/9, 4/13, 5/11)
USD Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
San Diego, CA

Each session is free and includes breakfast. Register online here, or by phone at (619) 260-7442.

Innovation Funders Network 2006 Summit:
"Networks, Innovation and Social Change"
January 30-31, 2006
San Francisco, CA

The Innovation Funders Network 2006 Summit will convene funders and invited affiliate organizations and thought leaders from around the world to explore the role of innovation and networks in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Click here for more information.

University of San Diego's Nonprofit Leadership & Management Program
Open House
February 1, 2006
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
USD Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice

Learn about one of the nation's leading graduate degree programs in Nonprofit Management. Tuition is deeply discounted for 501(c) (3) practitioners. Click here to RSVP.

Legacy XXI Institute's Center for Social Profit Leadership Conference
"Transforming the Helping Industry from Co-Dependency to Co-Creation"
February 10, 2006
8:30am - 5:30pm
Joan B. Kroc Theatre for the Performing Arts
6605 University Ave, San Diego, CA

An opportunity for social entrepreneurs and social enterprise leaders to rethink and challenge conventional models in the helping industry, while learning about a new model in which foundations and business can partner together with the non-profit community to co-create sustainable and innovative initiatives, instead of deepening co-dependent relationships. Click here for information.

Grantmakers for Effective Organizations 2006 National Conference: "Powerful Partnerships: Grantmakers Practices That Improve Grantee Performance"
March 8-10, 2006
Atlanta, GA

Grantmakers are only successful to the extent that their grantees achieve meaningful results. This conference will focus on how grantmakers can improve their practices to leverage grantee performance. Click here for program details and information.

Feel free to comment, suggest article ideas, or submit news items to nancy@SDGrantmakers.org -- We're always happy to hear from you. This online update is a service to San Diego Grantmakers members. Copies of past editions are archived here: News You Can Use.

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