Foundations as local digital inclusion partners

April 18, 2018

Objectives

• Understand the field of philanthropy and funding trends; • Offer tips to build strategic relationships with local funders;• Discuss how to convey impact/value in language a funder

understands

Our panelistsStephanie Powers Dan Cohn

Leon Wilson Katy LockerCleveland FoundationChief of Digital Innovation & CIOlwilson@clevefdn.org@leon_clevefdn

Program Director/Detroit, Knight Foundationlocker@knightfoundation.org@KatyLockerInDet

Vice President, StrategyMt. Sinai Health Care Foundationdaniel.cohn@case.edu

Vice President, Policy and PartnershipsCouncil on Foundationsstephanie.powers@cof.org@COF_

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Foundations as Digital Inclusion Partners?

What You Need to Know Net Inclusion Conference * April 17, 2018Stephanie J. PowersVice President, Policy and PartnershipsCouncil on Foundations

Council on Foundations

Supporting the ecosystem for philanthropy’s work

What is in the Ecosystem? • Foundations

• Donors/Donor Advised Funds• Infrastructure Groups:

philanthropy-supporting organizations such as national and regional associations, affinity groups, supporting organizations, special interest organizations

• Wealth Advisors

• Investment Managers

• Public and other private investment capital

• Academic-based philanthropy centers

• Philanthropic advisors

• Consultants

• Specialized data center

• Trade press

What is a Foundation?In the United States today, a foundation is…• An entity recognized as a Section 501(c)(3)

organization

• Principal purpose is to support unrelatedorganizations, institutions, or individuals

• For scientific, educational, cultural, religious, or other charitable purposes

Types of FoundationsPrivate: Funded by a single source

• Family foundation

• Corporate foundation

• Independent (grantmaking or operating)

Public: Funded by many sources• Community foundations• Funds serving certain population groups

or issues

Philanthropy

Diverse Forms of Philanthropy • Grantmaking • Convening power

• Innovation/risk investments • Leadership and voice

• Research • Mission-related investments• Program-related investments

• Nonmonetary Grants• Scholarships

• Leveraging other investors• Collaboration and funds

pooling • Consultation

• New forms of giving enabled by technology, crowd sourcing

Aggregate Foundation Data 2014

Source: The Foundation Center

• Total Number of Foundations86,726

• Total Giving$60,244,456,505

• Total Assets$865,249,519,054

Top 50 Total Giving $19,791,832,647

2013-2018

Internet Grants

$303,347,714

Source: The Foundation Center

Sample Digital/Technology Grants• Global internet rights &

internet freedom • Capacity building for leaders

in media rights• Advance & protect the web• Wi-Fi in charter schools• Survey to map local

broadband assets• Volunteers’ training to

transition in-person training• to online training

• Related to targeting of communities of color for marketing of unhealthy foods

• Start up funds for telemedicine collaboration in rural CA

• Bridging the digital divide in Israel

• Technology tutoring for children

Source: The Foundation Center

What you need to know about Foundations

• There’s one for every charitable cause.• They are driven by mission and donor intent.• Could be limited to certain geographies.• Not like government grant competitions.• Many are not open to solicitations. They find you.• Not all foundations are equal. • Cultivating relationships is key.• They look for how your work can help them with their

work.

What do Foundations look for?• Understanding of the problem being addressed• Impact for vulnerable populations• Alignment for impact: collective impact• Theories of change • How your work synchs with their priorities• Solutions• Sustainable efforts• Innovation• Partnerships• Diversity, equity, and inclusion

What is a Community Foundation?

A community foundation is a tax-exempt,

autonomous, publicly supported, nonsectarian

philanthropic institution with a long-term goal of

building permanent, named component funds

established by many separate donors to carry

out their charitable interests and for the broad-

based charitable interests of and for the

benefit of residents of a defined geographic

area.

Why Community Foundations Make Good Partners

• Aware of local government and nonprofit capacityfor projects because of grantmaking and technical assistance

• Track record of building funder partnerships,project partnerships, and acting as a neutral convener

• Knowledge of local politics, stakeholders, community dynamics

• Ability to be nimble grantmakers

• Understanding of past projects and community’s level of excitement, tolerance, fatigue

• Demonstrate the powerful, unique role of philanthropy in their community

• Affirm the community foundation’s position as a hub/catalyst for place-based social change and coordinated action locally

• Foster cross-sector dialogue and projects demonstrating the power of community philanthropy

• Equip place-based leaders with innovative thinking models, and tools

Why Community Foundations Make Good Partners

How to Build Relationships with Community Foundations • Locate the community foundation in your community using the Council’s tool:

http://www.cfstandards.org/community-foundation-locator

• Proactively include them in your stakeholder interviews

• Discuss project funding gaps and determine whethertheir board is interested in focusing grant dollars on a cross-sector partnership

• Share your findings from stakeholders and your analysis of priority projects and investments that will make an impact in their community

• Help them navigate federal grants and related resources (to the extent possible)

• Touch base with them for a “barometer” read about the community as you continue your work

• Remind other stakeholders that they are a resource (i.e. We can’t help you but have you spoken to the CF)

For more information, contact:

Stephanie Powers Vice President, Policy and Partnerships

stephanie.powers@cof.org(703) 879-0626

Additional Perspectives and Lessons Learned Dan Cohn Katy Locker

Vice President, StrategyMt. Sinai Health Care Foundation

Program Director/Detroit, Knight Foundation

Foundations have provided leadership (and funding)Type of Support ExamplesAwareness & Education • Publications and Conferences – Benton Foundation

Planning & Coalition Building • Community organizing – Blandin Foundation• Community-wide digital inclusion coordinator – Knight

Foundation• Stakeholder convening – Deutsch Foundation

Infrastructure Deployment • Capital Expenditures – Golden LEAF FoundationSupporting Digital Inclusion Programs

• “Digital Inclusion Fund” – Greater Kansas City Community Foundation and Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

• Citywide digital inclusion collaborative – Chicago Community Trust and MacArthur Foundation

Policy & Advocacy • National, statewide, and local advocates – Gates Foundation, Knight Foundation

Data Collection, Research & Evaluation

• Analysis of local data and impact – Cleveland Foundation

NTIA’s BroadbandUSA program educates stakeholders, facilitates relationships, and provides helpful resources

Arm stakeholders with key information to have more effective discussions with providers

Convene & facilitate the right conversations

Provide guidance to stakeholders, partners and providers

Our resources help stakeholders learn, share and implement the benefits of community connectivity

BroadbandUSA resources are available for communities seeking supportPublications:• Federal Funding

Guide• Public-Private

Partnerships Guide• Community

Broadband Roadmap Toolkit

• Introduction to Stakeholder Outreach

For General Information: • 202-482-2048

• https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/

To Join our Mailing List, write to: • broadbandusa@ntia.doc.gov

For more information:

• KHanson@ntia.doc.gov

Discussion/Q&A