Philanthropy 3D Ad

Philanthropy 3D-Michigan


In a time when foundations are being asked to do more, are subject to ongoing scrutiny and threats of government regulation, philanthropy needs to define its value, share stories of impact and equip influential champions.

Research conducted in 2007 and 2008 by the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative (PAI) indicates that foundations are isolated from influential Americans – the 12% of adults engaged as executives or board members in civic and community organizations. More than 60% of these Americans feel uninformed about the work of foundations and only 15% can give an example of foundation impact on their community. Further compounding the problem is the way foundations are perceived and described by the media. According to PAI, 98.6% of media coverage about foundations between 1990 and 2004 – nearly 40,000 stories – was transactional in nature, focused on grants awarded and money exchanged versus the benefits or impact of foundation activity.

Launched in spring 2009 as a response to these findings, the Philanthropy 3D-Michigan project, a regional pilot of PAI, seeks to design and test a model for communicating the unique value foundations bring to rebuilding Michigan’s economy and communities with influential Americans.

The following video from CMF’s 36th Annual Conference in 2008 builds the case for this important project:



PROJECT VISION, MISSION & OBJECTIVES


Vision: For influential leaders in Michigan to appreciate the value of and seek partnerships with foundations to solve critical issues in our state

Goal: To design and test a new model for communicating foundations’ unique contributions (value) to influential leaders

Objectives:

  • Engage foundation trustees – influential leaders themselves – as champions
  • Test a new process for deploying key messages to influentials – foundations’ unique value – through trustees, foundation partners and CMF
  • Develop a model for on-going use by CMF and member foundations

WHO IS INVOLVED?


This project is a partnership between CMF and 14 member foundations, each represented by a staff liaison and one or two trustees. Participating foundations were invited to participate based on their commitment to rebuilding Michigan’s economy and communities through strategic investments in K-16 education, early childhood development, work force/economic development, land use and/or healthcare.

Partner foundations include:

After the Michigan pilot is completed, similar projects will be launched by regional associations of grantmakers in Indiana and Wisconsin.


PROJECT TIMELINE

2007-2009 Pre-Project Planning Phase
Spring 2009 Orientation Webinar and Research Phase, including: 27 trustee interviews; 16 staff liaison Interviews; Message Audits of participating foundations and CMF
Summer 2009 Message Development Workshops and CEO and Trustee Focus Groups to refine messages
Fall 2009 Message Training & Distribution of Message Manual; 3-Month Pilot Use of messages by participating trustees, foundations and CMF
Winter 2010 Evaluation Phase: Post-pilot Interviews and Message Audits
Spring 2010 State of Philanthropy Report Released, Model adapted by Midwest partners


SUPPORTERS


3D is supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Philanthropy Awareness Initiative and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.


FOR MORE INFORMATION


Questions? Contact Vicki Rosenberg, CMF vice president education, communications & external relations or Rebecca Noricks, CMF communications manager to learn more.

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