Friday Rewind

The Friday Rewind offers a snapshot of PhilanthroNews —  that means news stories, articles, events of note, or information updates — from around our network and throughout the broad world of philanthropy. Whether you take a quick skim of the material or a deep dive through each item we hope to help inform your work and inspire your thinking.

1. NY Funders Alliance member the John R. Oishei Foundation recently made the news for awarding a record number of grants in 2018. The Oishei Foundation partners with both public and private funders on larger initiatives, such as the recent merger of the Food Bank of Western New York and Meals on Wheels for Western New York. “That’s a perfect example of how you can take two organizations and really create something even more significant and do it in a way that is efficient and effective and will deliver the goods and services this community so desperately needs,” Gioia said. “I know you’ll see more funders coming together to create this type of collective impact.” Read more here
2. Only about one in four nonprofits active on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media networks respond to questions posed to them there, according to a new survey. In the study, Dunham+Company, a fundraising consulting organization, surveyed 151 nonprofits on their social-media use — including the number of platforms on which they were active and the consistency of content between their websites and social-media pages. Generally, the report said, charities are misplacing their energy on social media. “Nonprofits are disproportionately concerned with growing their presence and reach while failing to realize the importance of growing relationships with their followers,” the report’s authors said. Read more about the best places to direct social media energy in order to make the greatest impact!
3. Over the last decade, perhaps no topic within the leadership field has received more air time than engagement. For every success in this area of leadership, you can find a hundred leaders who have stumbled. Some of the most common mistakes include: assuming employees are fully engaged at work, applying the wrong solutions to boost engagement, and failing to see the strategic and competitive advantages a fully engaged workforce offers. Read more of the mistakes leaders are making, and learn key steps to boost engagement in this SmartBrief from BoardSource
4. In case you missed it on Thursday 3/14/19, read a recap of Commerce Secretary Wilber Ross’ defense of the citizenship question on the 2020 census. Ross had testified before Congress that his addition of a citizenship question was done “solely” based on the Justice request. Thursday, he added a new wrinkle to his answer, saying he conducted intensive research beforehand because he understood that Justice might want a citizenship question, so he figured he should do his homework. Read more here
5. The National Comedy Center was formally designated as the nation’s official cultural institution dedicated to the art form of comedy on Tuesday, March 12. In a tremendous bi-partisan show of support, both the Senate and House of Representatives passed this bill in February, and the president signed it into law on Tuesday, recognizing the Center as the “Official National Comedy Center of the United States.” The National Comedy Center is supported by many NY Funders Alliance members, this is exciting news!