Communicating with Nonprofits and Agency Funds


During these challenging economic times, it is important that community foundations open the lines of communication to all of their stakeholders and start important conversations with local nonprofits and agency fund holders.

Recently, CMF hosted a conference call that showcased two successful examples of communication strategies used by our member organizations and provided a facilitated space for everyone to share their ideas and ask questions. (If you missed the call, the audio is posted in the "Materials" section below.)

The Bay Area Community Foundation discussed a meeting they held with their agency fund holders that produced quite a buzz and even led to the creation of new agency funds. The Grand Rapids Community Foundation highlighted two community focus groups they hosted which provided guidance on the emerging needs of nonprofits and how they want the foundation to respond.

Resources from all of these events can be found in the “Materials” section below, along with sample documents which the Grand Rapids CF provides to its agency fund holders through an online “Fund Toolbox”.

Materials

  • Community Foundations: Starting the Conversation with Nonprofits and Agency Funds in Difficult Economic Times [MP3]
    Listen to the audio from the conference call held June 15, 2009. Right-click on the file name to download to your computer. Or, listen to the audio online:

  • "Fund Toolbox" from GRCF [PDF]
    Materials provided by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation used to communicate with agency fund holders. Included are: (1) Sample newsletter story about Charitable Gift Annuities; (2)List of possible tag lines to promote planned giving to your organization; (3) Sample letter welcoming someone to your Planned Giving Society; and (4) Sample brochure from GRCF promoting planned gifts to the Community Foundation.
  • GRCF Focus Groups [PDF]
    Meeting agenda(s) from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation's meetings with non profits held in January and April, 2009.
  • BACF Meeting Presentation [PDF]
    PowerPoint presentation from the Bay Area Community Foundation agency partner meeting held in February 2009.