Wisconsin Philanthropy Network is pleased to make webinar recordings of programs available for a limited time. If you want more information about a past webinar, contact Kristi Anderson at kanderson@wiphilanthropy.org.
Demystifying Trust-Based Philanthropy session #3, “How Do We Approach Risk and Due Diligence in Trust-Based Philanthropy?"
May 31 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm CDT
In this session, we will explore the notion of risk – and how to reframe our understanding and analysis of risk to consider the reciprocal nature of the funder-grantee relationship. We’ll hear from funders who have implemented trust-based values and practices in their due diligence process, and have identified ways to bridge the gap between donor/board desires and grantee needs. Participants will gain knowledge around how to assess and respond to potential “risk” with a trust-based lens.
Recording
Slides
Demystifying Trust-Based Philanthropy session #2, Does Unrestricted Funding Automatically Make a Funder Trust-Based?
May 11, 2023 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm CDT
In this session, we unpacked the difference between unrestricted funding that is deployed in a trust-based way, and what it looks like when it’s not. We also shared case studies from funders who have shifted from project-specific to majority unrestricted funding, as well as those who have embedded trust-based values within semi-restricted grants. Participants gained greater clarity on the philosophy behind unrestricted funding in a trust-based context, and received strategies for aligning trust-based values with the way grants are structured and deployed.
Recording
Slides
Demystifying Trust-Based Philanthropy session #1: Does Trust-Based Philanthropy Mean Unconditional Trust?
Wednesday, April 19 | 2:00-4:00pm (CT)
There is a common misperception that trust-based philanthropy is about trusting nonprofits unconditionally. In reality, a trust-based approach uses trust as a gateway to rightsize power imbalances between funders and grantees, in order to facilitate deeper, more transparent relationships. With an intentional priority on relationships over transactions, trust-based philanthropy creates conditions for mutual accountability in the funder-grantee relationship.
In this session, we will clarify the misperception that trust-based philanthropy means unconditional trust, and dig into the nuances of why trust is an important vehicle for more equitable funder-grantee relationships. Speakers will share how they have cultivated (and maintained) trust, how they model and reinforce mutual accountability in a trust-based way, and how they have worked through challenging moments when trust breaks down. Participants can expect to obtain greater clarity on why and how to build trust, and strategies for developing mutually agreed upon expectations for a trust-based funder-grantee relationship.
Recording
Slides
Impact Investing
April 27, 2023 | 11:30am-1pm CDT
Ryan Zerwer, President & CEO of Forward Community Investments (FCI) presented an opportunity to invest in a new fund created by FCI. Participants learned about FCI’s New Market Tax Credit Loan Fund developed to provide financing at advantageous terms for projects located in eligible census tracts throughout Wisconsin, including those in both urban and rural counties. This session was designed in direct response to requests from WPN members for examples of specific investment opportunities in Wisconsin.
Recording
Creativity and Capacity in a Post-Pandemic Wisconsin
Wednesday, April 19 | 10:00pm-11:30am (CT)
Wisconsin’s creative sector is a $9.6 billion industry representing more jobs than the state’s beer, biotech, or papermaking industries. It has shown resiliency during the COVID era. While the worst days of the pandemic may be over, artists and arts organizations still grapple with pandemic-related and oncoming challenges. These include workforce, audience engagement, sustainability and capacity, and rising costs. At the same time, there have been innovations and, for groups that survived, a long list of lessons learned when it comes to organizational sustainability and capacity investments. This session offered a “backstage tour” of the last several years and a preview what lies ahead. Your tour guides are leaders of 4 arts organizations that have persevered and see some hope for the future.
The session offered a journal from the past several years and ideas for moving ahead that apply not only to the arts sector but to nonprofit organizations across sectors. The session was based on information gathered and lessons learned through Create Wisconsin and its Art$upport Fund’s “Journey through the Pandemic” project. Speakers represent Walkers Point Center for the Arts, Ex-Fabula, Bookworm Gardens and Woodland Pattern.
Recording
Governance and Legal Trends and Best Practices: A Review for Funders
Thursday, March 30 | 1:00pm-2:00pm (CT)
This session offered a high-level overview of recent trends and best practices for foundation governance. Attorneys from the Nonprofit and Tax-Exempt Organizations group of Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm, presented practical tips for governance and legal compliance, focused on small to mid-size foundations.
Recording of the session
Demystifying Trust-based Practices: Trust in Action
March 9, 2023
The philanthropic sector continues to evolve, and many giving families are embracing a trust-based
approach to their philanthropy—not only as a mindset, but as a guiding principle across their
grantmaking, relationships, and operations. While many families are interested in and willing to adopt
trust-based practices, it isn’t always clear how and when to utilize specific trust-based approaches and
what they look like in action. What does it really mean to be a trust-based funder? What are concrete
ways to be more trust-based in your internal operations, in relationships with your partners, and in your
evaluation and financial due diligence with nonprofit partners? And how do you measure success?
Recording
Civil Legal Aid in Wisconsin and its Relationship to Philanthropy
February 22, 2023
Everyone should have the opportunity live in stable housing and enjoy a safe, independent life. But our social and legal systems carry with them prejudices of our past and present. Unforeseen barriers can perpetuate injustice and are often complex. In fact, when there’s a legal aspect to such barriers, they can be impossible to resolve without an attorney. Civil legal aid organizations help turn around cycles of injustice by providing legal advice, representation, and information to people facing major challenges. During this virtual session, Wisconsin Trust Account Fund staff Benson Gardner and Becky Murray were joined by Bobby Peterson (ABC For Health), Rachel Fox Armstrong (Legal Action of Wisconsin), and Courtney Jiles (Roots and Wings Foundation) to share about civil legal aid in Wisconsin and how it relates to social justice, housing and income stability, health and independence, and other philanthropic goals. During this session, WisTAF also previewed findings from a new study on the impact of civil legal aid on Wisconsin’s economy.
Rural Funders Round Table – Q1
February 16, 2023
During this virtual session, WPN was joined by Marie Barry and Tim Size from the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative (RWHC) to discuss the connections between communities' economies and health outcomes/access. As leaders all across Wisconsin work to grow their understanding of social determinants of health, this session took a deep dive into how economic opportunity, or the lack there of, influences individual health outcomes as well as impacts systemic healthcare delivery in rural areas. Presenters discussed how multi-sector collaborations, including philanthropy, are vital for the future economic strength and health of rural communities.
Impact Investing Roundtable – Q1
February 15, 2023
Lincoln Nebraska’s affordable housing story is the product of public, private, philanthropic, and nonprofit partnerships. Over the past few years, Lincoln Community Foundation, City of Lincoln, and Community Development Resources (local CDFI) have come together to develop a shared understanding of the affordable housing problems in their community and work towards potential solutions. You can read more about this initiative here. On February 15, Alec Gorynski, President of Lincoln Community Foundation and Farshad Maltes, President and CEO of Community Development Resources discussed their partnership, the role impact investing (and grants) have played in its success, and how and why the community foundation chose a local CDFI as an emissary to advance the growth and development of affordable housing.
The Essentials of Good Governance
February 9, 2023
This program was presented as part of a 2023 Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy Webinar Series hosted by the National Center for Family Philanthropy. Governance, a system for who will make decisions and how, is the guiding framework for your family philanthropy’s long-term success. There are many governance constructs that support an effective board, and different methods to engage family within each construct. But what are the common elements that contribute to an effective board across all governance constructs? This webinar provided the “nuts and bolts” of good governance, including common policies and practices, strategies for how to build an effective board and decision-making framework, the core roles and responsibilities of board members, and best practices for managing meetings, strategy conversations, and other concrete aspects of governance.
Equity Funder Learning Community – Q1
February 7, 2023
During this virtual session, Alyssa Kenny discussed digital equity efforts embedded in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – which provides $65 billion to connect all Americans to high-speed broadband internet that is both affordable and reliable. While a significant portion of these funds will be allocated to direct infrastructure investments, a portion of these dollars will be used to promote digital equity efforts – in partnership with key community stakeholders in Wisconsin. As part of this presentation, Alyssa also highlighted a Digital Equity and Inclusion Stakeholders Group focused on growing and strengthening Wisconsin’s Digital Inclusion Ecosystem. You can read more about the goals of this group on slide ten of the deck linked below. Reach out to Alyssa directly for more information (Alyssa.kenney@Wisconsin.gov).
2022 State of Philanthropy Tech: Trends and Key Findings
January 24, 2023
Maryland Philanthropy Network, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, Florida Philanthropic Network, Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania, Wisconsin Philanthropy Network, NY Funders Alliance, and North Carolina Grantmakers hosted an interactive webinar with Chantal Foster, Executive Director of Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG) and TAG Survey Committee Member, Tess Hanrahan of the Hewlett Foundation, that explored technology trends in philanthropy just in time for 2023 planning. TAG cultivates the strategic, equitable, and innovative use of technology in philanthropy. Their work builds knowledge, strengthens networks, and advances the social sector.
2022 Wisconsin Gives Report Release Webinar
January 18, 2023
The 2022 Wisconsin Gives Report provides readers with an in-depth look at the state’s philanthropic sector. The biennial report explores the significant role philanthropy plays in responding to community challenges. It provides an analysis of survey results from Grantmakers across Wisconsin along with data and trends from national studies, statewide philanthropic best practices, and benchmarks. This year Wisconsin Philanthropy Network partnered with the Center for Community & Nonprofit Studies (the CommNS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Co-Create to gather data for the report.
On January 18, attendees were joined by WPN President and CEO Tony Shields and CommNS Associate Director for Engaged Research, Amy Washbush, PhD for a presentation of the 2022 Wisconsin Gives Report findings.
Philanthropic Purpose, Motivations, and Values
January 12, 2023
This program was presented as part of a 2023 Fundamentals of Family Philanthropy Webinar Series hosted by the National Center for Family Philanthropy. For your philanthropy to be meaningful and effective, it is important to define, refine, and periodically revisit your philanthropic purpose: to understand your motivations for giving, the collective values that guide your philanthropy, and establish clarity around the various priorities and approaches your family will utilize in its giving. This interactive program was designed to both guide families through initial conversations about purpose, motivations, and values, as well as lead families through the process of revisiting or refreshing their existing purpose and shared values. Review this program to refine the “why” behind your philanthropy and connect your philanthropic purpose to the broader change you wish to see in the world.
Giving Circles: A Powerful Path to Community Impact at Your Institution
January 10, 2023
Curious about giving circles and how the model can help your organization increase community engagement, diversify your donor base, create close connections with local, grassroots nonprofits, and embed your organization’s mission further into the community? During this one-hour webinar, Philanthropy Together shared an overview on the benefits of giving circles and how your institution can successfully and sustainably host giving circles, building off more than a decades’ worth of research. Participants also heard from a guest speaker at a Community Foundation who went through the program, Launchpad For Hosts, an incubator and leadership development training for Community Foundation and other philanthropic intermediaries looking to host giving circles.
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Coronavirus: 10 Issues Non-Profit Organizations should be Considering - Jason Kohout of Foley&Lardner, LLP
Financial Health Endowments and Investment - Recording