(2-14-2011) This report, Next Generation Organizations: 9 Key Traits, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, provides a simple framework and self-assessment tool to guide nonprofits as they foster learning, identify organizational areas of strength, and focus staff and board conversations where they need to be to become next generation organizations.
Grantmakers in the Arts
(2-13-2011) Composer Christopher Tin won a Grammy for the track "Baba Yetu" title song for the video game Civilization IV. The track features GIA member, Ron Ragin, program officer at the Hewlett Foundation. Here's a clip of a live concert version, and here's the video game trailer.
(02-12-2011) My dear friend Donna died last week. She was 72. She lived in Pierre, South Dakota. She was a force of nature…an actor, director, writer, community organizer and volunteer, feminist, facilitator, mediator, leader and much more. But, mostly and always, Donna was a teacher. It’s how she started her illustrious career. She spent years in the classroom where she made students feel special, especially those students who didn’t fit the small town norm.
(2-11-2011) Next Thursday, February 17, the Washington State Arts Commission and The Wallace Foundation present a free forum at McCaw Hall (Seattle) on community engagement through digital media. Professor Hanson Hosein, an award-winning documentary filmmaker and director of the Master of Communication in Digital Media at the University of Washington, is the featured presenter. The following day, workshops (also free) will be held in Seattle and Tacoma, with instruction for organizations on filming our stories and reaching constituents through digital media.
(2-10-2011) This week, LINC and the Ford Foundation announced awards of up to $100,000 to 12 nonprofits seeking start-up funds for arts and cultural facilities. The grants were made through the Space for Change program, which is designed to help grantees deepen their planning processes and leverage a stronger position as collaborative partners with municipalities, developers, and local stakeholders, while also expanding their national network of peers.
(2-10-2011) British research shows that consumers and do-it-yourselfers surpass what UK businesses invest in R&D for consumer products. What might the organizational equivalent be? Is there an untapped wealth of innovative practice developed by "amateur" nonprofit managers who are making it up as they go along?
(2-9-2011) Just in time for GIA's upcoming Web Conference on retaining emerging arts leaders in the field—stay tuned; registration for this opens on Friday—is Maureen Walsh's article on the challenges of effectively engaging the next generation of arts professionals.