2013 Year in Review

THANKS FOR MAKING 2013 A SUCCESS!

From testimony before the Ways and Means Committee and Foundations on the Hill to the launch of our Network Team and publication of new resources, 2013 has been quite an eventful year for the Council and the philanthropic field. Because of your collaboration and support, the Council has been able to amplify philanthropic voices and advance the field through new connections, new research, and the development of new initiatives.

CHECK OUT ALL OUR 2013 HIGHLIGHTS

I thought you might enjoy a recap of what we’ve done in 2013, so we created a fun and interactive Year in Review that goes beyond the traditional list of activities. This interactive timeline will allow you to view videos, photos, and information about the projects we have worked with you to create over the last year.

For a quick view of some of our more notable accomplishments, see below.

SELECT HIGHLIGHTS OF 2013

CONNECT…

A Council Dedicated To Its Members and Their Work
In 2013, the Council began implementing a new business model focused on stewardship and engagement – moving away from a more-traditional association model focused on transactional services. Our new model connects members around common issues of concern, connects our members to outside resources across sectors, and —if necessary— builds new products and services. With this approach, members will have better access to a wider array of resources and information.

Knowledge Center
To improve members’ access to the latest information, the Council set up a Knowledge Center to assist members with getting the solutions and information they need. This centralized information and support hub can respond effectively to member requests and will engage members proactively. To reach the Council’s Knowledge Center, please call 1-703-879-0645 or email membership@cof.org.

Thought Leadership
Over the last year, the Council hosted three world-class conferences with almost 3,000 total attendees from across the globe and about 150 hours of programming and content. These conferences provided a forum for experts, strategists, and provocateurs to discuss new challenges and best practices, so attendees could return home with new tools and friendships.

IMPACT…

Protecting Charitable Giving
In March, the Council, the Alliance for Charitable Reform, and the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers cohosted Foundations on the Hill, a gathering of over 280 philanthropic leaders in Washington, DC. They came with one message for policy makers: The charitable deduction is a unique and effective incentive for individuals to invest in their communities. The Council’s board chair Kevin Murphy also testified before the House Ways & Means Committee about the importance of charitable giving. Amplifying this message publicly, the Council’s President and CEO Vikki Spruill published thought pieces in the New York Times and U.S. News and World Report.

Impact Investing
The Council, in partnership with Mission Investors Exchange, produced the Community Foundation Field Guide to Impact Investing. To date, much of the impact investing literature was geared towards private foundations. This guide will help community foundations create both social and financial returns for the communities they serve.

Centennial Marketing Portfolio
2014 marks the 100^th anniversary of the nation’s first community foundation, the Cleveland Foundation. Working with the Council of Michigan Foundations, Midwest Community Foundation Ventures, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, we published the Centennial Marketing Portfolio to provide marketing and promotional support to community foundations and associated organizations.

National Summit on Building an Inclusive Workforce
Led by Governor Jack Markell in May, the National Summit on Building an Inclusive Workforce was co-hosted by the Council and the U.S. Business Leadership Network. The unprecedented meeting included representatives from 46 foundations, 26 corporations, and Administration officials. By engaging with an array of key stakeholders, participants identified new strategies for the next few years that may create significant positive impact on the workforce participation of people with disabilities.

ADVANCE…

Career Pathways
In 2013, we concluded the third cohort of the Council’s hallmark Career Pathways program. This program, designed to support next generation leaders, shows our continued commitment to improving the pipeline of professionals who want to compete for and succeed in philanthropic leadership positions. The Council has now graduated 37 philanthropic leaders from the program and is evaluating the best ways to strengthen the program going forward.

Corporate Practitioner’s Toolkit
In October, the Council, in partnership with several corporate grantmakers, released Increasing Impact, Enhancing Value: Corporate Practitioner's Toolkit. The Toolkit provides strategic planning assessments, tools, resources, and case study samples to help practitioners enhance the impact of corporate giving and build internal support with senior leaders.

As 2014 approaches, the Council remains committed to its role as a resource to our members and a thought leader in the field. We are also working to ensure that your voices are heard by policymakers. We have taken great steps to create and deliver world class products, services, and offerings for you and your colleagues.

We thank you for your role in helping us turn vision into action. To ensure a robust future for the philanthropic field, I ask that you please continue your support of these critical efforts and provide us feedback on how we can better help you carry out your missions.

All my best in the New Year!

With sincere gratitude,