Vol. II Number 5
May 2005

The Newsletter of the Colorado Association of Funders

 CAF Programs & Services

  National Trends & Issues 

  Member News 

  Funder Network News

  People on the Move

      Resources  

To submit your news now
Click here!

CAF President’s Message

On March 9th, I joined 180 foundation and regional association colleagues in Washington D.C. for Foundations on the Hill 2005.  Over the course of the day, Kyle Hybl, General Counsel, El Pomar Foundation, and I met with the following individuals: 

* Marc Scheessele, Legislative Director for Representative Bob Beauprez;
* Libby Cantrill, LA on Tax Issues for Representative Diana DeGette;
* David Kirby, LA for Senator Ken Salazar;
* Congressman Joel Hefley and Mickey Ferrell, LA on Tax Issues;
* Senator Wayne Allard and Robin Landauer, LA on Tax Issues;
* Stan Sloss, Senior Legislative Counsel for Representative Mark Udall;
* Congressman Tom Tancredo, and Molly Miller, Senior LA;
* Brian Ross, LA on Tax Issues for Rep. Salazar.  

In each meeting we discussed, in general, the current legislative atmosphere as it pertains to the philanthropic sector.  I offered an overview of the Colorado Association of Funders and organized philanthropy’s significant direct economic impact on Colorado, as well as examples of the ways in which philanthropy enhances quality of life, etc. in communities throughout the state.  I emphasized that CAF is comprised of a broad membership base with a wide diversity of philanthropic goals. Yet we all share in our dedication to effective stewardship and the accountable practice of grantmaking.  Further, I distributed the CAF Giving Study, which serves as an effective resource to familiarize our Congressional legislators with our work and the catalytic impact of philanthropy.   

We received positive responses from each individual with whom we met, as well as “kudos” and support for the work of the philanthropic sector.  It was apparent that our Congressional delegates and their staff are versed with regards to the issues affecting foundations.  However, each office stressed the import of foundations keeping them apprised of the issues and provisions as legislation is introduced.   

At this point in time, the Senate Finance Committee and the House Committee on Ways and Means have expressed their intentions to introduce legislation impacting the nonprofit sector in June or early July.  The Independent Sector’s Panel on the Nonprofit Sector is scheduled to release its final report in June as well. Stay tuned to CAF. In keeping with our mission to serve as an informational resource, CAF will continue to provide timely legislative updates and links to pertinent websites and reports.  

Heather Carroll, CAF President

---

CAF Programs & Services  

CAF Program Meeting: June 1 
Please join us for the upcoming CAF program meeting Funding Matters: The Colorado Children’s Budget Report on Wednesday, June 1, 11:30 a.m. at The Denver Zoo. Cary Kennedy, Policy Director for the Colorado House Democrats and Dr. Meera Mani, President of the Clayton Foundation will discuss state, local and federal funding for children’s programs and services in Colorado . Our speakers will present key statistics on the overall support and well-being of Colorado ’s children, provide an overview of the six-year funding history, and identify services that are facing significant shortfalls in funding. Our speakers will also discuss the factors contributing to the budget shortfalls and implications for grantmakers. Please RSVP to Mary Lou McNatt by May 30 at mmcnatt@rcfdenver.org.    

---

Save the Dates! 

CAF-on-the Road: July 22 
Friday, July 22 is our annual CAF-on-the-Road program. This year, we will be meeting for the day in Fort Collins. Two sessions and a keynote address will explore different perspectives on the role of philanthropy in affecting change, and how funders can tell their story to the many constituents they serve. Details to come!    

Dialogue with Mayor Hickenlooper: August 29 
Monday, August 29 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. is our second annual dialogue with Mayor Hickenlooper at Cableland. The Mayor will discuss some of his key initiatives and progress to date. We’ll also hear from some of his cabinet members whose work may have particular significance for grantmakers.    

---

New CAF Member Benefit: Discounted D&O Insurance Coverage 
Through an arrangement with the Council on Foundations, CAF is pleased to offer access to a discounted Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Coverage program. The Council on Foundations maintains this program as a service to the field. COF seeks to make available strong D&O coverage at reasonable rates for those grantmakers that choose to obtain such insurance. Click here for the website developed by Aon Huntington Block Insurance which contains a sample policy and a number of risk management tools that may be helpful. For inquires contact Jane Nober, (202)467-0387; nobej@cof.org. Questions about the program and rates should be directed to Joe Dunn at Aon Huntington Block Insurance, (202)429-8546 or toll-free at (800)432-7456.  

---

Thank You! 
2005 renewals are still coming in. Thank you! We appreciate your continued support and participation. We would also like to offer special thanks to those members who have to date contributed above and beyond their membership dues to help support special programs, events, communications efforts and the general operating budget: Anschutz Family Foundation, Argentum Foundation, The Colorado Trust, CTM Foundation, David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Donnell-Kay Foundation, Dowling Foundation, Greenlee Family Foundation, HealthOne Alliance, Joseph Henry Edmondson Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, The Kenneth King Foundation, Rose Community Foundation.  

---

National Trends Issues

Panel on the Nonprofit Sector Phase II Report Due in June
The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector continues to meet and draft its phase II report, which will include recommendations on issues such as donor-advised funds, supporting organizations, compensation and travel expenses.  In drafting the report, the Panel is considering work group recommendations and recently submitted public comments. The phase II report will be delivered to the Senate Finance Committee in mid-to late June. 

---

Donor Advised Funds Grew 15%
Donor advised funds grew by nearly 15% last year, according to a new Chronicle of Philanthropy survey. The 88 community foundations and financial organizations that responded to the survey collectively held more than $13 billion in assets and distributed $2.6 billion to charities.

---

U.S. Charities Develop Principles for International Assistance
The Council on Foundations recently announced the development of eight fundamental “Principles of International Charity” by a working group of more than 40 U.S. charitable sector organizations and advisors in response to the U.S. Treasury Department’s “Anti-terrorist Financing Guidelines: Voluntary Best-Practices for U.S.-based Charities” issued in November 2002. 
Click here for more information.

---

Member News  

The Denver Foundation Launches Online Database to Help Nonprofits
The Denver Foundation has launched an online database containing information on more than 50 local consultants who provide a variety of services to nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits can now conduct their research within a matter of minutes and find detailed information about a particular consultant, including their experience, partial client list, examples of past work, and work philosophy. The consultants in the database have not been pre-approved by The Denver Foundation. Nonprofit organizations must do their own due diligence in hiring a consultant. However, it is a free service and is available to anyone through The Denver Foundation’s web site at www.denverfoundation.org. Consultants not already in the database can add a profile by going to the web site as well.  For more information or help with the database, please contact Grants Manager Justin Sharp at 303.300.1790 ext. 131.

---

Funder Network News  

Corporate Funders Network: June 16
The next meeting of the Corporate Funders Network will be held Thursday, June 16 from 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Holmes Roberts and Owens, 1700 Lincoln St. #4100 in Denver . The program will be a discussion of self-dealing rules and the implications for corporate funders. To RSVP, please contact Mary Lou McNatt at mmcnatt@rcfdenver.org  or 303-398-7454 by Monday, June 13.

---

People on the Move  

Linda Childears Named CEO at Daniels Fund
The Daniels Fund Board of Directors is pleased to announce Linda Childears as the Fund’s new President and CEO.  Childears will replace former U.S. Senator Hank Brown, who will assume the presidency at the University of Colorado this summer. Childears has been a member of the Fund Board since it was created in 2000. Childears is currently the CEO of the Young Americans Bank and Young Americans Center for Financial Education.  The bank was founded by Bill Daniels in 1987 and Childears has been the CEO since then. Childears also serves as an Advisory Board Member of the Daniels College of Business and a Board Member of the Cableland Home Foundation, which manages Bill Daniels former home which he gave to the City of Denver . Childears has been an active member of the Denver community for years having served on numerous boards including many local nonprofits.

---

The Denver Foundation Announces Staff Changes
The Denver Foundation has named Jim Casey, formerly the Foundation's Grants Manager, to the newly-created position of Information Technology Officer. Justin Sharp has succeeded Jim as Grants Manager. Justin was The Denver Foundation's Grants Coordinator from 2000 to 2001, and has since worked with Rose Community Foundation and Chautauqua in Boulder .

---

Resources

Special Panel Discussion on SOX Act and Nonprofits for Board Members and Trustees
The Colorado chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors, in partnership with SCFD, invites trustees or board members to a panel discussion about when and how Sarbanes-Oxley Act type regulations could affect nonprofit organizations. SOX Act for Nonprofits?  It May Be Closer Than You Think! will be held June 2 at the Westin Tabor Center , 1672 Lawrence Street , Denver .  Cocktails and conversation at 5:15 p.m., buffet dinner at 6:15 p.m. and panel discussion at 6:45 to 8:15 pm. The cost is $25 to members of nonprofit boards of directors. The panel, which will be moderated by Taylor Simonton, includes: Kathryn A. Paul, President and CEO of Delta Dental Plan of Colorado; S. Lee Terry, Jr., a partner with Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP; Kenneth L. Kring, managing partner of the Philadelphia office of Heidrick & Struggles; and Judith B. Wagner, founder and CEO of Wagner Investment Management, Inc. and the chairperson of the Board of Trustees of The Colorado Trust. For more information and to register, please click on http://www.regonline.com/23513.

---

Promoting Philanthropy: Global Challenges and Approaches
Promoting Philanthropy: Global Challenges and Approaches, written by Paula D. Johnson, Stephen P. Johnson, and Andrew Kingman, investigates the range of opportunities to promote more and better philanthropy. Published by the International Network for Strategic Philanthropy (INSP), the report considers existing strategies, reviews promising practices and models with broader global potential, and raises additional questions for further consideration and research. The publication is available, in a short and a long version, on the INSP website.

---

COF Summer Institutes for Grantmakers
The Council on Foundations is offering three highly focused learning events as part of their 2005 Summer Institutes for Grantmakers. Together with their strategic partners, they have designed the following events to help foundation professionals maximize their impact. To learn more or to register, please visit www.cof.org.

** Institute For New Board Members
July 10, 2005 - A one-day program for foundation board members and trustees who want to learn more about their legal, ethical and day-to-day responsibilities.

** Special Seminar: Establishing a New Foundation
July 11, 2005 - A four-hour, small-group discussion for those taking on the challenge of establishing a new foundation. Professional advisors and their clients are welcome.

** Institute For New Grantmakers
July 11-12, 2005 - An intensive, two-day workshop for new grantmakers who want to learn the principles and best practices of grantmaking and broaden their understanding of philanthropy.

---