Report to Members
by Sara Gould and Sandra Mikush, Co-Chairs

We enjoyed seeing so many NFG folks in New Orleans during the Council on Foundations’ annual meeting, where our presence was widespread, thanks to the hard work of many members. NFG-sponsored workshops were substantive and engaging. One on the mega-merging of financial institutions, organized by Regina McGraw and moderated by Alvertha Penny, was so well received that we’ve been requested to repeat it at the Community Foundations’ September conference.

All the NFG-sponsored events were well attended. At the reception featuring writer and political analyst Juan Williams, NFG members mingled with other grantmakers. We were treated to a thoughtful speech followed by a book signing of Williams’ latest release, Thurgood Marshall. The site visit, organized by NFG’s Working Group on Organized Labor and Community, was completely booked. Participants visited two vastly different programs – the Annie E. Casey Jobs Initiative in New Orleans and the Hotel and Restaurant Organizing Committee. The Rural Funders Working Group’s workshop, “Indigenous Women Speak Out!” featured NFG Board members Gloria Guerrero as a speaker and Mary Jo Mullan as moderator. That workshop will be repeated at NFG’s annual conference in Miami this September. Thanks to all the NFG members who contributed their time and energy to make a very successful conference!

Opportunities for Leadership in NFG

Look for details in this issue (pg. 11) about an opportunity to take on leadership responsibilities in NFG as we set our course for the new century. The Nominating Subcommittee is soliciting nominations for individuals to serve on NFG’s board. We hope you will consider being a candidate or let us know of other funders whom you think would be interested in serving.

Whether on the board or committees, your interest and involvement makes it possible for NFG to carry out its many activities each year. It also gives you a forum to collaborate with colleagues. We urge you to take advantage of opportunities to be more involved. Consider joining the Membership Services, Education, or Board and Member Development committees. You can also get involved in one of our working groups: Organized Labor and Community; Public Policy; Rural Funders; or Race and Community Equity. Call the NFG office at 703-448-1777 for more information.

Jobs Toolbox Well Received

We’ve been getting great feedback from members on NFG’s Jobs Toolbox. Some are ordering copies to give to grantees to help them get up to speed on employment-related programs. Others are using it in their internal planning to develop jobs-related grantmaking strategies. If you’d like to order copies, call the NFG office. In conjunction with the Jobs Toolbox, you will receive information in the mail shortly about how to use a new “members-only” section of the NFG web site to discuss job-funding strategies with your colleagues and receive updates to the toolbox. Watch for our next Toolbox, on Community Organizing, which is in the planning stages and should be completed by the end of the year.

Hope you have a great summer!

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