Nice post from New Voices Of Philanthropy about how you can go about finding support and develop a network.

As I have been developing my network of support in my new role at Headwaters Foundation for Justice, I have found that it is difficult, if not impossible to find women of color in leadership roles in philanthropy. It would be great if I could find another young African American woman running a community foundation that is passionate about social justice so we could compare notes and bond over our similar challenges (if you know that woman let me know). What is more realistic and what I have done for most of my career is to find a varied network of support. I have a variety of roles in this new position: fundraiser, manager, strategic planner, chief networker, spokesperson, and administrator. I have found a lot of amazing women and men with experiences in each of these roles and have relied on them to give me good advice and lots of encouragement as I chart new paths and try new ideas out. For me, there has never been just one great mentor. My mentors are in lots of different fields and have a variety of experiences. Most wouldn't call themselves my mentor if you asked them but they have always been available when I have needed help.

My advice to you is to not wait around for your fairy godmentor either, there are lots of great people already in your network who would be willing to fill that role if you only asked.

New Voices Of Philanthropy: Fairy Godmentors and other urban legends.

A new foundation for charitable giving should be awarding its first grants by the end of the year.

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Though located in Council Bluffs, the Pottawattamie County Community Foundation is set up to assist the entire county.

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The Hancock County Community Foundation says the Emergency Economic Stablization Act of 2008 extends the Charitable IRA legislation for two years. The law allows taxpayers 70-and-a-half years and older to give their retirement savings directly to charity and bypass income tax. The law is designed to help charities that are experiencing the effects of the tough economy. It is slated to expire at the end of 2009.
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The Community Foundation for the National Capital Area, one of the region's biggest charitable grantmakers, said its endowment lost about $40 million during the three months that ended Tuesday. "We've never seen anything quite like this," said Kenny Emson, a senior vice president who oversees the foundation's investments. ". . . It's been a pretty shocking quarter."

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Kay M. Marquet, president and CEO of Community Foundation Sonoma County announced plans Thursday to leave the nonprofit she has led for nearly 17 years.

“It’s the right time for a change, for me and for the Community Foundation,” she said in a statement.

Under her leadership, the foundation grew from $4 million in assets to its current $136 million and its staff has expanded from four to 15.

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The Midlands Community Foundation Board of Directors has elected Karla R. Rupiper to a three-year term as president. Rupiper holds a bachelor of science degree from Iowa State University, a master's degree from Central Michigan University and a law degree from Creighton University. She is the Director of Legal Recruiting and Development for Koley Jessen P.C., L.L.O.

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Rupiper is a member of the Nebraska, Omaha, Sarpy County and American Bar Associations and previously served on the board of directors of the Nebraska Women's Bar Association. She also serves on the Papillion Civil Service Commission, the Papillion La Vista Public Schools Foundation, the Metropolitan Community College Law Program Advisory Committee, and the St. Columbkille Parish Education Trust Board of Directors.

Suburban Newspapers – Midlands Community Foundation elects new board president.

The Marshall County Community Foundation held its annual meeting at the Argos United Methodist Church’s Community Life Center.

The Foundation had helped make the Center a reality by a grant for equipment to be used there. It was the second year that the meeting had been held at a location benefitting from ties with the Foundation. Last year’s meeting was held at Culver’s Vandalia Station.

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The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation-a 50-year-old charitable organization that provides grants to organizations like the Animal Care League and West Suburban PADS-is taking a big step into the future.

The foundation is receiving a $2 million grant from the Grand Victoria Foundation (a 12-year-old program run by the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin). In addition, if the foundation can raise $2 million, Grand Victoria will match it, bringing the foundation's total to $6 million.

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If Congress fails to pass a bailout package, the damage to the economy will be "painful and lasting," for all citizens, President Bush told the nation Tuesday.

Jim Harrison, Carlsbad Community Foundation executive director, said he agrees with the president. Locally, it could become very painful for organizations and other recipients of annual funds from the foundation.

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Today, all organizations should have a game plan — a business plan. Whether for-profit or not-for-profit, we want to execute well so we can be successful. Quick decisions and avoiding the "rush" with the desire to win could get us to halftime, but that might not be enough to come out on top at the end of the game. Increasing fear about what unanticipated "plays" might come at us (e.g. market instability) make it even more imperative that organizations remain committed to thorough business planning.

We know this well at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona where we have just completed our first business plan after 28 years in operation. (more…)