We've all heard the phrase "It takes a village to raise a child."  An ongoing study from the Chapin Hall Center for Children made the village case for foundations.  Researchers studied the link between longevitity of funders and the success of the community to which is receiving their contributions.  The researchers call it embedded philanthropy.  A unique concept, embedded philanthropy involves foundations who hold an unusually intimate and enduring engagement with the communities in which they live and work.  The researchers identified four items of criteria to be considered embedded philanthropy.  The first is that the concept requires a long-term commitment in a specicied location.  The second is that a direct and ongoing relationship with the community exists.  Third, the funders believe such relationships come first in terms of strategy.  And finally, monetary grants are a part of the funders’ appraoch.

The study found that a number of foundations who held deep roots in their community were able to contribute to successful and effective changes in the area.  Whereas large, national foundations tend to come in, write a check, and then leave, embedded foundations stay in it for the long-haul.  

We’re reminded of a quote by American writer and management consultant  Peter F. Drucker, who said, “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.”  The idea of embedded philanthropy could path the way for smaller organizations to make an influential impact.  Embedded giving became a buzzword in 2007.  Is embedded philanthropy the next big thing for 2008?

We've all heard the phrase "It takes a village to raise a child."  An ongoing study from the Chapin Hall Center for Children made the village case for foundations.  Researchers studied the link between longevitity of funders and the success of the community to which is receiving their contributions.  The researchers call it embedded philanthropy.  A unique concept, embedded philanthropy involves foundations who hold an unusually intimate and enduring engagement with the communities in which they live and work.  The researchers identified four items of criteria to be considered embedded philanthropy.  The first is that the concept requires a long-term commitment in a specicied location.  The second is that a direct and ongoing relationship with the community exists.  Third, the funders believe such relationships come first in terms of strategy.  And finally, monetary grants are a part of the funders’ appraoch.

The study found that a number of foundations who held deep roots in their community were able to contribute to successful and effective changes in the area.  Whereas large, national foundations tend to come in, write a check, and then leave, embedded foundations stay in it for the long-haul.  

We’re reminded of a quote by American writer and management consultant  Peter F. Drucker, who said, “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.”  The idea of embedded philanthropy could path the way for smaller organizations to make an influential impact.  Embedded giving became a buzzword in 2007.  Is embedded philanthropy the next big thing for 2008?

In order to expand their reach and effectively make change, some nonprofits are turning for-profit.  With the help of investors, capital, larger staffs (which they can afford to grow), and budgets for marketing and development, nonprofits turned businesses are finding themselves better able to fulfill their vision.  Is this a means of selling yourself to the devil or merely a way to support your vision and rather than struggle, see it fulfilled?

The New York Times reported today on one such business. Former AOL executive, Miles Guilburne, and his wife, lawyer Nina Zolt, had supported In2Books, a program that used books and the Internet as learning tools for inner city kids. The program was only ever grew slowly. And although the organization was not sustainable, the idea and the mission were.  Together with angel investors, Guilburne purchased a for-profit company, ePals Inc., in 2006 and the mission has boomed. The growth of the company spurred the interest of now partners, National Geographic and Intel.  Now the learning tools are reaching 13 million kids worldwide.  They surely didn’t sell out.

Taking from this example, we need to add that we think some of the greatest ideas for a business come out of a nonprofit venture. Our own Steve Butz is a former case manager who felt the need to really know how much change he was making, so he took a chance and founded Social Solutions.  He didn't cross over to the dark side, he just thought he could make a more significant difference through a business endeavor. Not exactly a mirror image to ePals, but our business allows us the ability - the assets, the funding, the smart people who work for us - to continue to carry out a philanthropic vision and our mission at that. Steve might have been working to better the life of one child at a time as a social worker, but through Social Solutions, he is able to better the lives of hundreds at a time by changing the way the larger organization is run.  Maybe he can take the credit for the trend?

New York Times, nonprofit, National Geographic, Intel, Social Solutions, Steve Butz, ePals, In2Books, Miles Guilburne, Nina Zolt,

In order to expand their reach and effectively make change, some nonprofits are turning for-profit.  With the help of investors, capital, larger staffs (which they can afford to grow), and budgets for marketing and development, nonprofits turned businesses are finding themselves better able to fulfill their vision.  Is this a means of selling yourself to the devil or merely a way to support your vision and rather than struggle, see it fulfilled?

The New York Times reported today on one such business. Former AOL executive, Miles Guilburne, and his wife, lawyer Nina Zolt, had supported In2Books, a program that used books and the Internet as learning tools for inner city kids. The program was only ever grew slowly. And although the organization was not sustainable, the idea and the mission were.  Together with angel investors, Guilburne purchased a for-profit company, ePals Inc., in 2006 and the mission has boomed. The growth of the company spurred the interest of now partners, National Geographic and Intel.  Now the learning tools are reaching 13 million kids worldwide.  They surely didn’t sell out.

Taking from this example, we need to add that we think some of the greatest ideas for a business come out of a nonprofit venture. Our own Steve Butz is a former case manager who felt the need to really know how much change he was making, so he took a chance and founded Social Solutions.  He didn't cross over to the dark side, he just thought he could make a more significant difference through a business endeavor. Not exactly a mirror image to ePals, but our business allows us the ability - the assets, the funding, the smart people who work for us - to continue to carry out a philanthropic vision and our mission at that. Steve might have been working to better the life of one child at a time as a social worker, but through Social Solutions, he is able to better the lives of hundreds at a time by changing the way the larger organization is run.  Maybe he can take the credit for the trend?

New York Times, nonprofit, National Geographic, Intel, Social Solutions, Steve Butz, ePals, In2Books, Miles Guilburne, Nina Zolt,

Fighting perception can be an uphill battle.  When it comes to American’s perceptions of how nonprofits spend donations, the nonprofit world has a lot to make up for.  A recent study by Ellison Research found that Americans believe that too much of their donated dollar is going to cover operational expenses.  Nearly 62% of Americans think that too much money is spent on costs associated with fundraising and administration.  According to the study, the average amount Americans feel nonprofits should spend is 22.4 cents on the dollar, but in reality, Americans believe that groups are actually spending 36 cents.

What organizations should be most concerned with is that the study found that 22% of Americans have a highly negative view of charities’ financial efficiency.  Twenty two percent.  One fifth of Americans.  Doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you think in terms of donations, having to fight this perception or belief is yet another challenge when it comes to fundraising and meeting goals.   

We all know overhead and operational expenses exist.  Any organization or business needs them to function. But as Ellison president Ron Sellers points out, whether the belief Americans feel is accurate or not, their perceptions very well may influence their giving decisions. Like many issues, Americans tend to categorize charities ias one in the same.  Which is why many worry about the fall-out of recent scandals with the Red Cross and others and the affect of public scrutiny on legit and accountable organizations.  Fighting perception is an uphill battle, but one that can’t afford not to be fought. We can’t say it enough.  Accountability, accountability, accountability.  Say it.  Do it.  Show it.  And prove those perceptions wrong.  

Fighting perception can be an uphill battle.  When it comes to American’s perceptions of how nonprofits spend donations, the nonprofit world has a lot to make up for.  A recent study by Ellison Research found that Americans believe that too much of their donated dollar is going to cover operational expenses.  Nearly 62% of Americans think that too much money is spent on costs associated with fundraising and administration.  According to the study, the average amount Americans feel nonprofits should spend is 22.4 cents on the dollar, but in reality, Americans believe that groups are actually spending 36 cents.

What organizations should be most concerned with is that the study found that 22% of Americans have a highly negative view of charities’ financial efficiency.  Twenty two percent.  One fifth of Americans.  Doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you think in terms of donations, having to fight this perception or belief is yet another challenge when it comes to fundraising and meeting goals.   

We all know overhead and operational expenses exist.  Any organization or business needs them to function. But as Ellison president Ron Sellers points out, whether the belief Americans feel is accurate or not, their perceptions very well may influence their giving decisions. Like many issues, Americans tend to categorize charities ias one in the same.  Which is why many worry about the fall-out of recent scandals with the Red Cross and others and the affect of public scrutiny on legit and accountable organizations.  Fighting perception is an uphill battle, but one that can’t afford not to be fought. We can’t say it enough.  Accountability, accountability, accountability.  Say it.  Do it.  Show it.  And prove those perceptions wrong.  

After a successful event in 2007, we are excited to learn that registration for this year's ETOlution summit is now open.  The summit will bring together social service professionals, research/evaluation experts, foundation executives, independent consultants and ETO Software specialists to talk about issues surrounding performance management. 

Information about this year's event can be found here.  Be sure to check out the details for the pre-conference workshop on results accountability hosted by the Results Leadership Group.  As you may recall, Social Solutions recently partnered with RLG to formulate a complete solution for performance measurement and management. 

We're looking forward to hearing from great speakers including authors Mark Friedman and Marty Miles, as well as David Hunter, Karen Walker, and our very own Steve Butz.  And, of course, we're looking forward to continuing the dialogue on performance management. 

After a successful event in 2007, we are excited to learn that registration for this year's ETOlution summit is now open.  The summit will bring together social service professionals, research/evaluation experts, foundation executives, independent consultants and ETO Software specialists to talk about issues surrounding performance management. 

Information about this year's event can be found here.  Be sure to check out the details for the pre-conference workshop on results accountability hosted by the Results Leadership Group.  As you may recall, Social Solutions recently partnered with RLG to formulate a complete solution for performance measurement and management. 

We're looking forward to hearing from great speakers including authors Mark Friedman and Marty Miles, as well as David Hunter, Karen Walker, and our very own Steve Butz.  And, of course, we're looking forward to continuing the dialogue on performance management. 

D.C. area funders, representatives of nonprofits and those generally interested in accountability and evaluation of organizations met this morning at the National Press Club for an inspiring discussion by Washington’s Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) titled, “Lessons Learned from the Latin American Youth Center’s New Strategic Direction and Tracking Progress with Efforts-to-Outcomes Software”. 

The Latin American Youth Center, a long-time client of Social Solutions, showcased their strategic planning initiatives and the role ETO software has played in their planning and goal setting for the success of the organization.  We heard from Lori Kaplan, Executive Director of LAYC; Isaac Castillo, Director of Learning and Evaluation at LAYC; John Kalafatas, portfolio manager at Edna McConnell Clark Foundation; Kate Robinson, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Social Solutions; and a memorable group of young people willing to share LAYC testimonials.

How inspiring it was to sit in a room full of people charged for the same cause, helping to make our nonprofit organizations more effective in an effort to help our young people.  It was a comfort to know that the LAYC, a leading multi-service nonprofit, was willing to take a leap of faith, use a tool like ETO to learn how to better serve the community and marry their organizational vision with the evaluation of their work. Our own Steve Butz commented, “Working with LAYC has been a remarkable experience. They are a truly commendable service organization whose work to tie their efforts to outcomes can serve as an example to all nonprofits who seek to make a larger impact.”  LAYC is doing everything right. Their commitment to bettering their organization, over time and through evaluation, shows their intent at a lasting relationship with the community and a desire to positively make a difference in the lives of those who most need it.

Latin American Youth Center, Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, ETO, Steve Butz, efforts to outcomes, evaluation, nonprofit

D.C. area funders, representatives of nonprofits and those generally interested in accountability and evaluation of organizations met this morning at the National Press Club for an inspiring discussion by Washington’s Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) titled, “Lessons Learned from the Latin American Youth Center’s New Strategic Direction and Tracking Progress with Efforts-to-Outcomes Software”. 

The Latin American Youth Center, a long-time client of Social Solutions, showcased their strategic planning initiatives and the role ETO software has played in their planning and goal setting for the success of the organization.  We heard from Lori Kaplan, Executive Director of LAYC; Isaac Castillo, Director of Learning and Evaluation at LAYC; John Kalafatas, portfolio manager at Edna McConnell Clark Foundation; Kate Robinson, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Social Solutions; and a memorable group of young people willing to share LAYC testimonials.

How inspiring it was to sit in a room full of people charged for the same cause, helping to make our nonprofit organizations more effective in an effort to help our young people.  It was a comfort to know that the LAYC, a leading multi-service nonprofit, was willing to take a leap of faith, use a tool like ETO to learn how to better serve the community and marry their organizational vision with the evaluation of their work. Our own Steve Butz commented, “Working with LAYC has been a remarkable experience. They are a truly commendable service organization whose work to tie their efforts to outcomes can serve as an example to all nonprofits who seek to make a larger impact.”  LAYC is doing everything right. Their commitment to bettering their organization, over time and through evaluation, shows their intent at a lasting relationship with the community and a desire to positively make a difference in the lives of those who most need it.

Latin American Youth Center, Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, ETO, Steve Butz, efforts to outcomes, evaluation, nonprofit