eNews     |     Nonprofit Quarterly     |    Summer  2016
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
 
Over the summer we have watched the stock market inch past its highest point, and the national job reports show steady growth. Our economy is definitely looking up. Yet, it seems the philanthropic sector is always the last to feel the positive effects. 

But there can be no doubt-- the positive economic impact is reflected in everyone's bottom line. During the first half of 2016 we've seen greater investment in staff, creation of new positions and a resurgence of capital campaigns with many of our current and former clients.

Meanwhile, on the giving side, 17 new foundations have emerged in the West Coast region alone, with an anticipated 110+ traditional grant-making foundations nationwide by the end of the year - all with well-defined guidelines and plans to support health, education, social services and the arts. Of course at MW&A we have already begun canvassing many of these new Foundations to discover the viable opportunities that will be coming up in the New Year.

This outreach is invaluable, but as I preach to all our clients, it is all about relationships.   Consider giving us a call about our Foundation Relations and Grant Development program specifically geared to identifying funders best suited to your organization, as well as maximizing your development efforts with each grant request.
 
Warmest regards,
   
The Best and the Brightest: 
MW&A places six new leaders in the sector
"As development professionals we occasionally run across opportunities that so demand the very experience we possess, fit perfectly with where we are in our career and reflect our values and interests as fundraisers that we are compelled to pursue."  Joel Wyatt, Vice President of Development Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services.
 
Finding such a match is why for more than 20 years, nonprofit organizations, serving diverse communities throughout the country, have looked to MW&A to assist with their executive hiring needs. Being more than a recruitment firm, MW&A's services in development assessment, foundation relations and grant development, offer a multi-discipline approach to each search we undertake.
 
During the first half of 2016 MW&A had the pleasure to work with six very diverse organizations. More than providing a short list of qualified candidates, MW&A utilized our wide bank of resources and knowledge to provide additional services and support, case by case, to ensure that these individuals were well matched to these organizations in their knowledge, skills, personalities and shared goals.
 
MW&A's is pleased to announce our most recent professional placements:
 
Orange County United Way (Irvine, CA) - Jeff Swanson, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy 
After a national search, Orange County United Way found exactly who they were looking for in their own neighborhood.  Jeff Swanson, is a seasoned fundraising professional with over twenty years experience at some of Southern California's most successful institutions. Recently, Jeff served as Vice President for Philanthropic Services at Orange County Community Foundation--one of the country's fastest growing community foundations, both in terms of assets and unique and responsive grant-making.  Jeff joins OCUW already well immersed in the local philanthropic community and eager to develop diverse sources of revenue to advance OCUW's community initiatives.
 
Equality Texas (Austin, TX) - Collin Acock, Chief Development Officer
Equality Texas works to eliminate public policy discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. With a goal of increasing the number of citizens protected from this discrimination, EQTX needed a dedicated position to increase financial resources. With well over a decade of experience in development, most of Collin's career has been spent in Texas. Prior to joining Equality Texas, Collin held the position of Director of Development for both the Texas State Historical Association and the Long Center for Performing Arts. Believing that Texas is at a pivotal moment in history, Collin is eager to become a key advocate for all that Equality Texas wants to achieve.
 
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services (Los Angeles, CA) - Joel Wyatt, Vice President of Development
In anticipation of an $18 million capital campaign for their Suicide Prevention Center, Didi Hirsch called out for a seasoned development professional experienced in fundraising, communications and events planning. Sighting Didi Hirsh's $41M budget, a stellar reputation for delivery of mental health services and a personal interest in public health issues, Joel Wyatt answered the call all the way from Texas where he was serving as Director of Advancement for the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture at the University of Houston. Joel is now back in Los Angeles, where he previously enjoyed a 16-year development career, including work at the Trevor Project and AIDS Project LA. His background offered the perfect blend of experience in fundraising, communications and major gifts development for this new challenge.
 
Junior Blind of America - (Los Angeles/Bay Area, CA) Sara Breen, Senior Director of Foundation Relations
Foundation and Grants Development positions in human services, especially with institutions with a long prestigious history such as Junior Blind of America, don't open often and naturally attract a number of applicants. Finding the right fit, however , doesn't always come from inside the field.  After ten years in the Performing Arts, most recently as the Segerstrom Center for the Arts' Director of Grants and Foundations, Sara is making the transition from the arts world to the human services arena. Her proven successes with grant writing, foundation cultivation and stewardship, will serve this organization well. She joins Junior Blind as they move toward their vision to be a nationally recognized leader in their field.
 
The Philharmonic Society of OC - (Irvine, CA) Ron Dufault, Vice President of Development
Largely responsible for putting the Orange County classical music scene on the map-- including stops from the world's leading orchestras, chamber ensembles and internationally renowned soloists-- the PSOC is embarking on an aggressive new funding effort. With an upcoming campaign, and a desire to expand their donor base, this nearly 60-year-old highly acclaimed organization sought to re place a key development executive who was retiring after a long tenure of service.  Ron Dufault, formerly with the Santa Barbara Museum of Art was well suited to fill these shoes. His prior experience as Capital Campaign Director and Major Gifts Officer, responsible for leading the Museum's $50 million capital campaign, will help smooth the transition to this new field in the arts.
 
National Hot Rod Association Motorsports Museum (Pomona, CA)- Nick Nazarian, Director of Development
The NHRA is the largest and oldest motorsports entity in the country. The Museum is the steward of the history of the NHRA and is currently working to expand its programs and facilities. As the new Director of Development, Nick will oversee the fundraising planning and implementation to support this new direction. Since childhood, Nick has been passionate about motor sports. For him working with the NHRA is a dream come true and is a perfect match of his skills and personal passion. (He even owns his own classic truck.) Nick brings more than 17 years experience in development and fundraising to his new position, most recently serving as Director of Alumni Relations for Chaffey College--a college with a long and rich history of collaboration with the NHRA and auto industry!  

MW&A New Clients & New Projects
Executive Search: Senior Director of Philanthropy
Foundation Relations Outreach
Executive Search: Development Manager
Foundation Relations and Grants Development  

NEW FUNDING
MW&A obtained the following grants for clients between March- September 2016.
 
Caterina's Club:  
$75,000 
The Annenberg  Foundation

$25,000 Orange County Community Foundation Donor Advised Fund

$5,000
The Dhont Foundation

$7,500 The Allergan Foundation

$7,000  3M Gives
($5,000 cash grant and $2,000 in-kind product)  
 
Lipstick Angels:
$20,000  The Green Foundation 

$10,000 The Allergan Foundation

American Friends of the Wallace Collection:
£25,000 Deutsche Bank Foundation
THE CHANGING FACE OF FOUNDATION GIVING:  Bold New Moves in the Grant-Making Community  
Major changes have been rocking the foundation scene lately in places where it is least expected. Several Foundations we have followed and worked with for decades, are altering their course in giving--and many in a dramatic fashion. Now is not the time to be complacent or make assumptions regarding their directives. The past no longer tells the story.
 
The west coast has experienced two prime examples. Weingart Foundation recently released their 2017 Program Plan and it is bold in its support of immigrant communities, the most economically destitute families, and in pushing themselves and other foundations for full financial program support, giving the Southern California nonprofit sector the boost they need to move the needle on homelessness and poverty prevention. It is truly a jaw-dropping plan that offers a multitude of strategies. With this extremely streamlined focus, the affect can be profound.
 
Similarly the James Irvine Foundation, traditionally a strong supporter of the arts, has defined their future focus as "expanding economic and political opportunity for families and young adults who are working but struggling with poverty." Though not completely unexpected, the announcement has still shaken up the visual and performing arts world, benefactor's of the Irvine Foundation's funding for decades. The challenge is now to seek out new sources of arts funding.
 
However, when one door closes, another opens. A case in point: Bloomberg Philanthropies, historically placing most of their arts and culture funding in the New York region, has expanded investment nationally with two funds: the Public Art Challenge and the Arts Innovation and Management Fund. The latter is investing in 250+ mid-size cultural programs in five cities throughout the country.  Former MW&A clients in Los Angeles and Chicago have been the recipients of this capacity-building funding. (Chicago:  Third Coast International Audio Festival and Chicago Sinfionetta.  And in Los Angeles: The 24th
Street Theater, Beyond Baroque, The Craft and Folk Art Museum and LACE: Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions.) This large new source of arts funding is creating opportunities well outside Bloomberg Philanthropies' usual neighborhood.
 
Even the stalwart Ford Foundation, has rolled up it's sleeves under the informal, open-door-policy direction of Darren Walker.  With a focus on eliminating inequality, supporting the once verboten "overhead", and tapping into more nimble and creative nonprofits, communities once considered off the radar are attracting the interest of Ford.

Changes are taking place throughout the country. Keeping abreast of the rapid transformations--from shifting priorities to new funding--can be time consuming and daunting for organizations already stretching staff to capacity. Health, human services, and arts organizations needing to embrace these new opportunities, can turn to MW&A to find new sources of funding.
 
Fortunate to have had both the Weingart and the James Irvine Foundations fund positions held early in her career, Michelle's familiarity with these organizations, as well as MW&A's ongoing assessment of the national philanthropic canvas is invaluable. MW&A is up-to-date on movement in the foundation sector across the nation. Now may be the perfect time to take advantage of new opportunities by turning to MW&A to introduce and advocate with Foundations for the greatest possible result.
MW&A eNews Editor
Carol van Ahlers, MW&A's eNews Editor, has been with us since 2015. Her career has progressed from sports journalist, to communications officer for municipal governments and nonprofits, as well as owning her own public relations firm.