Social Media and Grantwriting - Survey - Deadline now 5/10/12

The intersection of social media and grantwriting fills my thoughts regularly except today when they were interrupted by news of the passing of Beastie Boys Co-Founder Adam Yauch. The outpouring of mourning was remarkable.  There were literally thousands of tweets an hour to honor the memory and accomplishments of MCA. You can check out my Twitter feed @adeptdiva to see how I paid tribute.  As grantwriters, we face the challenge in being potentially overwhelmed by the volume of tweets, status updates, pictures, etc. that flow through social media. I can be your guide to navigating the seemingly endless stream of information for that special tweet or update that can tell you just what you need to know to make the right ask, at the right time, for the right project, and for the right amount from the right funder!

To be a good guide, I need to know where you want to go.  Give me your input on how you use social media in your grantseeking work! I'm putting finishing touches on my presentation for WVDO's Regional Conference. You can hear me speak on Thursday, May 17 from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. on grantwriting and social media. You can find out more about the conference on Twitter at @WVDO_OR #wvdoconf12 or visit http://www.myfundraisingconference.org/ .

So, here's the link to my survey - http://svy.mk/gsmadc2012 and if you reply by 5/10/12, you just might win one hour free consulting from the Adept Diva!

Nonprofit Director and Officer Responsibilities and Employment Matters Too!

Serving as a board member i.e., director of a nonprofit is no longer just about selling tables for the next fundraising event or simply listing your service on a resume.  As nonprofits continue to struggle with the vagaries of a dampened economy, expectations are increasing that directors are approaching their service with the same attentiveness they might bestow on their paid careers.  Of particular interest in the spectrum of due diligence are fiduciary and personnel responsibilities.  In last week's Nonprofit Spring Forum presented by Pacific Continental Bank held in Portland, Oregon, attendees heard from a distinguished panel including Dennis Doherty (DePaul Industries), Chrys Martin (Davis Wright Tremaine LLP), Michael Shrayer (Chubb Group of Insurance Companies, and our moderator Steve Miller (Beecher Carlson Insurance Agency LLC) just how important it is for board members to be well-informed and well-insured on both counts.


In the discussion of the board's role, we were reminded of three key duties:

1  Diligence: Act in good faith and make decisions in the best interest of the organization.

2. Loyalty: Avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest. Disclose and be open about potential conflicts of interest.

3. Obedience: Follow the charter of the organization and applicable laws.


We also discussed the "Business Judgement" rule.  Which - to my recollection - deals with using the context of your beliefs to support decisions that are made.

Chrys Martin stressed the importance of not rubber-stamping decisions. If your bylaws aren't serving you well, get engaged and get them changed especially with regard to indemnification.  She stressed the important of clear job descriptions for board members and paid staff. She also remarked about the importance of carrying Directors and Officers (D&O) insurance for board members. Homeowners Insurance is not a substitute! There is no "state coverage" or "immunity" for volunteers including board members. Ms. Martin also spoke a great deal regarding employment practices.

No, I'm not an attorney and don't play one on TV!  I am though a proud CFRE wanting to share this important information with you. I'm hopeful the recap of this lively conversation will encourage you to revisit your bylaws with a focus on how they can be improved to serve your organization and its board best.

Special thanks to Lisa Faust and the team at Pacific Continental Bank and the panelists for bringing this presentation to us!

Foundations: Program Officers and the Funding Process

Reading an excerpt from the Nonprofit Management 101: A Complete and Practical Guide for Leaders and Professionals, edited by Darian Rodriquez Heyman, ed., published as a Top Ten Fundraising Tips list by guidestar.org helped me realize how daunting starting the conversation with a Program Officer can when you're about to apply for grant funding. In item number two of the Top Ten List, "How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Grant (Never Apply for a Grant without Contacting the Foundation First)", has some helpful tips. However, it takes more than a phone call to a foundation program officer to learn about the the program officer's role.

The point about taking initiative to call a funder is well-taken. Calling a funder is a wonderful way to get a conversation going. In my experience, program officers don't always decide how funding is allocated. I think it is more accurate to say that they are in a position to influence decisions about how funding is made. They do though serve as the liaison between the foundation and the applicant nonprofit facilitating communication and compliance during the application process and later once the award is made (or not).

My recent experiences with program officers at larger and smaller foundations are that they are willing to provide some coaching through a process for organizations with a great concept and less experience in creating proposals. On occasion, these program officers are willing to read drafts of an application. More often than not, I'm finding program officers who are available by phone or email rather than in person. You also want to attend pre-proposal conferences or workshops offered by a funder even if the sessions are advertised as not being required. Those sessions - as it proved for me recently - may be a perfect opportunity to get better acquainted with the funder's application process, the program officer, and what projects for which other organizations may be requesting funding. Happy Applying!

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