From September 2004 to June 2005 local and national funders and contributors to Vibrant Communities came together to learn and discuss best practice funding. They took part in a tele-learning series to learn about effective funding practices in order to grow the impact of poverty reduction work in local communities across Canada.

Throughout the learning initiative funders and contributors heard from, and learned with, Joseph A. “Jay” Connor, author of Community Visions, Community Solutions: Grantmaking for Comprehensive Impact.

Jay provided valuable insight as to why it has been difficult for communities to find comprehensive solutions before now, how funders need to be open to supporting bigger issues and systems change, and how support services can be set up to foster better relationships between funders and communities.

The content from the Funders Network tele-learning series was so rich and valuable that we decided to develop this webpage as an online seminar in order to share the audio from the calls and learn from Jay Connor’s expertise.

Anyone can take part in this learning by listening to the audio from the tele-learning call. Keep in mind that it will help to have read Jay’s book prior to listening to the audio. For more information and links to purchase Jay’s book online, click HERE.

On this page, you'll find:

Part 1: Why Comprehensive Solutions are Needed

Check out the audio of this session to hear Jay Connor discuss why comprehensive solutions are needed to achieve meaningful solutions. Emphasis is placed on understanding the fundamental requirements for sustainable change in communities. Jay also discusses the lessons he’s learned from the research and consulting he’s done with communities across North America.

Based on the first two chapters of his book, topic areas include:

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Part 2: Achieving Impact

This session focuses on how communities can impact a number of community issues by understanding system dynamics, aligning resources and developing new relationships in the context of a community-wide community impact plan. Jay details a specific application of these "lessons learned" with a focus on poverty reduction. Jay also describes the effort, driven by the shared aspirations of 67,000 residents, across thirteen North Minneapolis neighborhoods, to develop a community capacity for comprehensive impact.

Topic areas for the chapters of the book Jay covers include:

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Resources

The Dance - This report by Anne Smith, President & CEO of the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, discusses the challenges faced by the Canadian voluntary sector as it attempts to secure and sustain funding. It describes the obstacles related to current funding policies, practices and conditions and provides ideas about how to overcome them. The report was published by the Muttart Foundation and is available here.

Excellence in Grantmaking - In February 2004, Calgary and area funders and grantmakers joined together to participate in a high quality, dynamic and energizing skill-building opportunity for Board members, volunteers and staff members with grantmaking responsibility. The workshop booklet is available for download here.

Cultivating Rural Prosperity - This engaging report by the Rural Philanthropy Roundtable describes the challenges that rural non-profit and voluntary organizations face and how investment can be stimulated towards supporting rural society. Read more here.

Foundations & Comprehensive Community Initiatives - This paper explores the relationship between foundations and comprehensive community initiatives. It specifically highlights that foundations and CCI’s are often separated by a lack of understanding, dishonest communications, and struggles over power and accountability but that there are ways to bridge this divide. Read the report here.

Canadian Fundraiser (Vol 15, No. 1 & 2) - The Canadian Fundraiser newsletter discusses current issues in the Canadian field of funding. Produced twice a month, the newsletter highlights a variety of important issues. Read the January 15th issue to learn about funding performance measurement and team building. Read the January 31st issue to learn about Imagine Canada, and readers concerns about funding being redirected overseas to assist the tsunami victims. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

Friendraising: Raising Funds, Finding Friends - This workbook, developed by Tamarack, focuses on the art and science of fundraising and emphasizes the correlation between raising funds and finding friends. Download the workbook for free here.

Foundations in Action - Check out this section of the Tamarack website for great stories, resources and innovative ideas on foundations can using community engagement principles. You can access the section here.

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Reviews of Joseph Connor’s Book

"A must-read for grantmakers, individual donors, or any philanthropic professionals who hope to see community change in their lifetime." Elwood Hopkins, Director, Los Angeles Urban Funders, Los Angeles, CA

“Throughout the book, the authors offer examples and case studies from across North America to illustrate various aspects of this type of grantmaking. Charts and diagrams, useful questions, dos and don'ts lists, and other resources will also help funders during the planning process. All types of grantmakers, including community and family foundations, United Ways, corporate funders, and even private donors, can benefit from this community-centred approach, as will the organizations and communities they support.” by Charity Village Ltd

"Any leader, whether in a foundation, a nonprofit organization, or a public agency, should read this book and ponder 'what might be' in more effective community problem solving." Eugene Wilson, Senior Vice President, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Kansas City, MO

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Related Links

• Collaboratory for Community Support
• Funders Network
• More on fundraising

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