Welcome to Volume 72 of Pollen. One year ago today, we launched bepollen.com! Thanks for inviting your friends and colleagues into this community and sharing with us this past year.
Our feature this volume features a preview of a piece that will run in the Giving Forum this spring about the process of evaluating grant proposals and selecting grantees. The piece is based on a conversation that the Minnesota Council on Foundations held with five program officers from its member foundations regarding the application process.
We hope to hear from you for Volume 73—please send all news, stories, openings and events to share@bepollen.com by April 13 for inclusion.
If you work for a nonprofit, perhaps you’ve wondered what happens to a status or final report you’ve written and submitted to a foundation, reporting on a grant. Well, wonder no more.
The Minnesota Council on Foundations hosted a conversation with five program officers from its member foundations about evaluating grants and grantees. The complete conversation will run in the spring issue of Giving Forum – the Minnesota Council on Foundations’ publication covering philanthropy news by and for grantmakers, givers and nonprofits.
Participating program officers were:
Joanna Ramirez Barrett, program operations and evaluation director, Northwest Area Foundation
Monica Bryand, senior program officer, Headwaters Foundation for Justice
Nate Dorr, program officer – grants, Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Susan Voigt, program manager, Medica Foundation
Laura Zimmermann, arts program officer and director of artist fellowships, The McKnight Foundation
Program officers answered questions about what types of follow-up reports they request from grantees and how they use and share the data contained within. They were candid about changes they’ve made to processes at their foundations based on grantee feedback, and they told us how they measure their own success as grantmakers. Find out if they believe their success is dependent on the accomplishments of their grantees.
Sneak Peek Video Online Now
Here’s a glimpse into the Giving Forum feature where three program officers (Barrett, Voigt and Zimmermann) give advice on providing measurement data to funders, explain why they believe it is important to do so and recommend resources nonprofit staff can use to learn more about successful evaluation strategies.
To read the complete conversation, look for Giving Forum, in your mailboxes and online by mid-April. If you don’t already receive the free quarterly 16-page print publication, subscribe by creating an account on mcf.org, so you don’t miss the spring issue “Progress Through Evaluation” and future 2013 issues focused on “Corporate Philanthropy” and on “Giving – and Working – Across Generations.”
Nonprofit Rockstar Teleconference “So You Wanna Be A Program Officer?”
This month’s installment of the free Nonprofit Rockstar teleseminar serieswill feature Trista Harris and Rosetta Thurman discussing the down and dirty secrets of becoming a program officer.
April 4
Koryne Horbal Lecture
Named after former ambassador to the UN Commission on the Status of Women, this lecture put on by Augsburg Collegewill feature Gloria Steinem.
April 5
TPT documentary series: "Redesigning Minnesota: Educating the Workforce"
Twin Cities Public Television invites the public to watch the next episode of its documentary series Redesigning Minnesota. Focused on higher education, the episode will feature a live panel discussion with college presidents in addition to pieces exploring the provocative idea of proficiency-based learning; PSEO programs; and the origin of the college credit. It will air at 8 p.m. on tpt2.
Twin Cities Business magazine interviews Pollenite Jen Ford Reedy about her new role at the Bush Foundation.
Calls to Action
Citizens for an Ethical Minnesota is seeking nominations for its Minnesota Ethical Leadership Awards. Minnesota Ethical Leadership Awards recognize programs that are doing an exceptional job strengthening the character and leadership of Minnesotans. Nominations are due April 1.
There is a rallying cry to save the College of Visual Arts. Those hoping to save the college are asking people to meet on Tues, Apr 2 at 5:45p at the front steps of the school (344 Summit Ave, St Paul). Check out this update from the Star Tribune for the full story.
The Humphrey Schools seeks applicants for its 2013-2014 Policy Fellows program, which brings together mid-career Minnesota leaders from government, nonprofit, and business sectors for a nine-month professional development experience. Fellows join a 35-person cohort and focus on enhancing leadership skills, understanding their role in public policy, and developing a diverse personal and professional network. Applications are due May 31, 2013.
Volume 72 | 
