Hosted by Grantmakers Forum of New York

April 27-28, 2011

Central New York Center for Philanthropy

431 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, NY  13202

Sponsored by

Ames-Amzalak Memorial Trust

The Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation

Marie C. and Joseph C. Wilson Foundation

With additional assistance for this event from the Central New York Community Foundation and Wegmans Food Markets

Essential Skills and Strategies for Grantmakers (ESS) is a comprehensive, nationally developed, curriculum which will provide upstate New York grantmakers with the skills and tools to be more effective in their work, and increase their impact for the nonprofit organizations that benefit our communities.

Purpose:

Using a highly-interactive approach, local experts, and national resource materials, you will gain the knowledge, skills, and insight you need to do your best work. You'll have the opportunity to meet your grantmaker colleagues who share your interest in strengthening community and who understand your issues and concerns. Don't miss this innovative, two-day learning program about grantmaking!

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is for grantmakers who are relatively new to the field (less than two years) or for more experienced grantmakers who are looking to refresh their knowledge and sharpen their skills.

What's Included:

Two days of learning and sharing, extensive resource materials for you to take home, breaks and lunch. View workshop schedule.

What's Not Included:

Dinner and lodging, if required, are not included. Please make your own arrangements. View suggestions for hotels and restaurants.

Registration Fee:

REGISTRATION FORM

Please submit REGISTRATION FORM and check (sorry, we can''t accept credit cards.) payable to Grantmakers Forum of New York and mail to:

Grantmakers Forum of New York

75 College Avenue

Rochester, Ny  14607-1009

Workshop Schedule:

REGISTRATION FORM

The Curriculum

The curriculum consists of seven modules, designed by grantmakers and piloted through the Council on Foundations and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. Click the title below to view the learning objectives of the module.
1. Being Grounded in Philanthropy
2. Navigating Legal and Ethical Issues
3. Making Sound Funding Decisions
4. Communicating Funding Recommendations and Decisions
5. Managing the Grant Portfolio
6. Maximizing the Impact of Grants
7. Managing Personal and Professional Challenges

Being Grounded in Philanthropy
Understand:
• The role of philanthropy in society
• Key events in the development of philanthropy
• Current issues and debates about philanthropy
• The infrastructure that supports grantmakers
Be able to:
• Function with an awareness of the macro context in which you are working
• Benefit from the collective experiences and knowledge in the field of philanthropy

Navigating Legal and Ethical Issues
Understand:
• Basic laws and regulations affecting grantmaking
• Ethical issues common to grantmakers
• Strategies for managing ethical challenges
Be able to:
• Conduct grantmaking that is within customary due diligence requirements
• Recognize and manage ethical challenges

Making Sound Funding Decisions
Understand:
• Key characteristics of effective nonprofits
• Typical steps and best practices used in the proposal review process
• Issues to consider in arriving at a funding recommendation
Be able to:
• Assess the viability of the applicant and proposed project
• Know what additional information to gather and how
• Make defensible funding decisions

Communicating Funding Recommendations and Decisions
Understand:
• Perspectives foundation leaders and trustees bring to funding decisions
• Typical steps and best practices in the funding recommendation process
• Strategies for delivering funding decisions to applicants
Be able to:
• Prepare and deliver compelling funding recommendations
• Prepare and deliver final funding decisions to applicants

Managing the Grant Portfolio
Understand:
• Standard expectations and requirements of grants management
• Typical issues and effective practices in grants management
Be able to:
• Monitor grants
• Anticipate and manage grant execution problems
• Support grantee success
• Learn from grant experiences

Maximizing Grant Impact
Understand:
• Common strategies outside of the grantmaking framework for achieving greater good
• Key issues and concerns of each strategy
Be able to:
• Use common strategies to enhance the probability of success, and the positive impact, of individual grants

Strategies for Professional Excellence and Personal Satisfaction
Understand:
• Skills and strategies for harmonizing personal well being and professional excellence as a grantmaker
• Inherent tensions in the role of the grantmaker
• Issues and changes in the field
• Opportunities and resources for continuous learning, development, and enjoyment as a grantmaker
Be able to:
• Manage inherent tensions of the grantmaker role
• Be a content and effective practitioner long-term
• Stay well-informed on emerging knowledge and practices of the field
• Benefit from resources for job-related support

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