Date/Time
Date(s) - 03/31/2017
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Location
Forefront Large Conference Room
Categories No Categories
Register now for our popular professional development program that provides a comprehensive look – for new and experienced grantmakers alike – at the critical elements involved in the practice of
responsible grantmaking.
Those who register for the full series will also receive access to cohort-based activities coordinated especially for Institute members by Forefront’s Peer Network for New Grantmakers.
Day 1 – Current Conversations (For new grantmakers)
Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Time: 3-5pm
What does 2017 hold for the practice of grantmaking? Join Institute faculty for an honest reflection on how current philanthropic trends and challenges affect your organization’s mission and what you might find yourself tackling in the coming year.
Faculty:
Monique Brunson Jones, Evanston Community Foundation
Marianne Philbin, Pierce Family Foundation
Matt Pakula, Tyson Foods
Angelique Power, The Field Foundation of Illinois
Charles Twichell, Prince Charitable Trusts
Day 2 – Grantmaking Fundamentals (For new grantmakers)
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2017
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm (Networking breakfast at 8:30am; lunch is included in session)
This session will equip you to meet your greatest challenges as a new program officer. You’ll explore your role and how it fits and functions in your organization. You’ll learn about the states of a nonprofit organization’s development and their relevance in assessing proposals. And you’ll discuss other topics that will strengthen your contributions on the job: how to build relationships in the field; ways to prepare for and conduct site visits; and approaches to the ethical challenges program officers often face.
Faculty:
Frank Baiocchi, Polk Bros. Foundation
Peter Handler, The Reva and David Logan Foundation
Hina Mahmood, Woods Fund Chicago
Marianne Philbin, Pierce Family Foundation
K. Sujata, Chicago Foundation for Women
Day 3 – Evaluation Fundamentals for Grantmakers (For both new and experienced grantmakers)
Date: Wednesday, March 1
Time: 9:00am – Noon (Networking breakfast at 8:30am)
Evaluation – by grantees and foundations – is key to knowing whether we’re making the change we want to see in the world. But it’s not an easy task. This workshop on the fundamentals of evaluation in grantmaking will address the perennial question of what is “fair” to ask of grantees relative to investment amounts and more, including structures for good evaluation, how to use data more effectively, and ways to fund evaluation.
Faculty: Susie Quern Pratt and Jenny Richards, Pratt Richards Group
Day 4 – Linking Money to Mission: Understanding Nonprofit Financial Health(For both new and experienced grantmakers)
Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Time: 9:00am – 2:00pm (Networking breakfast at 8:30am; lunch is included in session)
This session will provide an understanding of the key elements of nonprofit financial sustainability and how best to integrate financial analysis with your grantmaking practice. Using examples, we’ll review nonprofit statements of activities and financial position and explore how these statements can be used together to inform grantmaking. We will also review the fundamental concepts and structure of nonprofit audited financial statements, discuss techniques for interpreting this data and incorporating it into decision making; and explore how to set goals that help maintain financial health.
This session is best suited to the needs of grantmakers for whom financial due diligence is a component of the grantmaking process and who are either new to assessing nonprofit financial data or who would like a refresher on the fundamental principles of finance in the nonprofit sector.
Faculty: Nima Krodel and Renee Patey, Nonprofit Finance Fund
Day 5 – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Moving Into Action (For both new and experienced grantmakers)
Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Time: 9:00am – Noon (Networking breakfast at 8:30am)
As grantmakers, you understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are concepts that should inform your work. But how, really, can you change your every day practices and put DEI at the center of everything your foundation does? How do you move from using the buzzwords to taking real, substantive action? This practical workshop that will help you think through specific, actionable steps you and your foundation can take to become more relevant, responsive, and responsible to the communities you serve.
Faculty: Kelly Brown, D5 Coalition
Day 6 – More Dos Than Don’ts: Private Foundations and Advocacy (For both new and experienced grantmakers)
Date: Friday, March 31, 2017
Time: Noon-1:30pm (Lunch will be provided)
In this lively lunchtime conversation, we will dispel – once and for all – the myths around supporting and engaging in advocacy. In particular, we’ll smash the mythology around language in grant agreements that prohibits grantees from engaging in lobbying. We’ll also learn a few effective strategies for partnering with grantees to help their advocacy work. Staff and trustees of grantmaking organizations are encouraged to attend this session.
Faculty:
Delia Coleman, Forefront
Jodi Pellettiere, Quarles & Brady
Day 7 – Reviewing Proposals with Board Presentations in Mind (For both new and experienced grantmakers)
Date: Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Time: Noon-2:00pm (Lunch will be provided)
Foundation Staff have a responsibility to help the board consider opportunities that preserve the foundation’s charitable purpose and also do justice to the prospective grantee. This session explores approaches to reviewing proposals in the context of board priorities and interests. How do you find the balance between subjective and objective, advocate and reporter? How does knowing what the board wants shape how you communicate with applicants, how you handle applicant questions as well as your own, and how you prepare for your board’s final review? Join our panelists to discuss experiences and strategies.
Faculty:
Marianne Philbin, Pierce Family Foundation
Additional faculty TBA
If you have any accessibility needs or require assistance with registration, please contact us at registration@myforefront.org. Please be sure to include the title and date of the program in your email.
Clicking ‘Register‘ will register you for all seven sessions.
Click here for our cancellation policy.