• Conference & Annual Meeting of Members
• Giving Forum Sponsorships
• 2010 Summit on Philanthropy & Public Policy
• Grantseeking for Beginners Seminars
• 2010 Grant Opportunities: Diversity & Inclusion

Conference & Annual Meeting of Members
Deadline for First Marketing Materials: May 15*

MCF offers a wide range of popular sponsorship opportunities for the Conference & Annual Meeting of Members scheduled for October 28-29, 2010.

The two-day event will draw approximately 200 trustees and staff members of foundations and corporate giving programs from across the state. Conference highlights will include: the annual CEO/Trustee dinner and reception; an inspiring opening plenary and keynote speaker; presentations and discussions that explore issues facing the field of philanthropy in 2010 and beyond; plus high quality, in-depth sessions specifically targeted for each type of grantmaker: corporate, community/public, and family and independent foundations.

Conference marketing activities will reach all 1,900 MCF individual members, including staff and directors/trustees. Approximately 1,200 nonmember Minnesota foundations and corporate giving programs will also receive conference promotional materials.

For complete information on Sponsor Levels and Benefits, download the sponsorship info sheet. If you have questions, please contact Chuck Peterson, vice president of member relations at 612.335.3558 or cpeterson@mcf.org. To purchase your sponsorship, download our Sponsorship Order Form (pdf).

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Giving Forum Sponsorship Opportunities
Giving Forum is a unique source of information on a topic essential to nonprofits: grantmaking. Published quarterly, Giving Forum features original in-depth articles that explore current giving issues, perspectives of Minnesota funders, and MCF research.

In addition to special themes, popular sections in each issue include: online resources, funding trends, staffing changes, professional development opportunities for nonprofits, recent grant awards, and grantmaking news.

Wide Readership
Giving Forum’s 16,000 recipients include managers and staff of a wide range of nonprofits, including education, youth, health and human services, public policy, arts and culture, the environment, international affairs and religious organizations; all leaders and staff of Minnesota’s top foundations and corporate giving programs; nonprofit sector consultants; government officials; and other community leaders.

Giving Forum 2010 Editorial Calendar
Spring 2010: Catalyzing Philanthropy
Charitable giving is a $5.5 billion annual endeavor in Minnesota. How can grantmakers and nonprofits make the most of that investment, as well as expand philanthropy to new, more effective levels? This issue of Giving Forum will explore innovations in giving technology, new roles for donor-advised funds, mission-related investing, foundation formation, and other initiatives to promote philanthropy and redefine how and what we give.

Summer 2010: Public Policy and Philanthropy
In these tough times, an optimistic “can-do” movement is taking hold as foundation, nonprofit and government representatives roll up their sleeves, join forces and share resources to tackle immense social issues. Locally and nationally, unprecedented efforts are underway to leverage grassroots advocacy and public policy action to influence change in the public sector. This issue of Giving Forum will dig into philanthropy’s increasing participation in public policy initiatives for the betterment of the community.

Fall 2010: Focus on Family and Private Independent Foundations
Of the approximately 1,450 foundations in Minnesota, 85 percent are private family and independent foundations. These foundations award more than $500 million annually, and of the various grantmaker types, they are the largest funders of the environment/animals, international affairs, health, and human services subject areas. Some of these foundations have endured for generations, while others are only months old. This issue of Giving Forum will delve into what inspired these individuals to create a foundation, the impact of their work, and the legacy they hope to create.

Giving Forum Sponsorships
MCF’s Giving Forum publication provides valued, trusted content. Associating your brand with ours is an excellent investment for anyone marketing to nonprofits and grantmakers in Minnesota.

Sponsor Levels and Benefits

	Sponsor $5,000	Partner $3,000	Supporter $1,000
Front-page recognition in sponsored issue	Name, logo & brief description	Name & logo	Name only
Complimentary advertisement in sponsored issue	1/4 page (with added orange or blue)	1/8 page (with added orange or blue)	Business card ad
Complimentary copies of sponsored issue	50 copies	30 copies	10 copies
Web recognition on Giving Forum pages on mcf.org	Logo	Logo	Name only
E-newsletter recognition in MCF Notes and Giving Memo issues that highlight sponsored Giving Forum issue	Logo	Name only

For more information, please contact Wendy Wehr, vice president of communications and information relations at 612.335.3597 or wwehr@mcf.org, or download our Giving Forum info packet and  order form (pdf).

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2010 Summit on Philanthropy & Public Policy
Deadline for First Marketing Materials: March 31*

This year MCF continues its partnership with the University of Minnesota Humphrey Institute’s Public and Nonprofit Leadership Center to better understand how Minnesota foundations affect public policy in our cities, our state, and in the global community.

Our work together includes the 2010 Summit on Philanthropy & Public Policy, featuring experts from the philanthropic, public and private sectors who will examine innovative ways foundations are informing and shaping public policy. Summit attendees will learn about varying definitions of public policy and how to raise awareness and build the capacity of foundation board members, staff and volunteers to engage in the policy process. The summit will also provide a unique structured opportunity for dialogue among the state’s philanthropic leaders, elected officials and public policy specialists.

Invited keynote speakers include Les Lenkowsky, a leading scholar and dynamic presenter on America’s civic and philanthropic traditions, and Karen Aldridge-Eason, of Michigan’s Office of Foundation Liaison, a cabinet-level position supported by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Council of Michigan Foundations.

For complete information on Sponsor Levels and Benefits, download the sponsorship info sheet. If you have questions, please contact Chuck Peterson, vice president of member relations at 612.335.3558 or cpeterson@mcf.org, or, to purchase your sponsorship, download our Sponsorship Order Form (pdf).

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Grantseeking for Beginners Seminars

Each year MCF provides a comprehensive introduction to the basics of grantwriting to approximately 400 grantseekers at seminars around the state. MCF has sold out these popular workshops for more than 15 years.

A highly regarded source of information and knowledge about grantmaking and the grantseeking process, each program features an interactive presentation with a leading expert on researching and writing grant proposals, plus a panel discussion with Minnesota grantmakers.

• Approximately 100 development and fundraising professionals attend each grantmaking seminar.
• More than 17,000 people in Minnesota’s philanthropic and nonprofit fields receive promotional mailings, including MCF’s Giving Forum newspaper, a promotional postcard and electronic publications.

For complete information on Sponsor Levels and Benefits, download the sponsorship info sheet. If you have questions, please contact Chuck Peterson, vice president of member relations at 612.335.3558 or cpeterson@mcf.org, or, to purchase your sponsorship, download our Sponsorship Order Form (pdf).

Sponsorship Deadlines

May 19, 2010
Owatonna Country Club, Owatonna, MN
Sponsorship Deadline: April 1
(Print marketing deadline has passed.)

August 19, 2010
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN
Sponsorship Deadline: June 15

November 9, 2010
Wilder Center, St. Paul, MN
Sponsorship Deadline: June 15

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2010 Grant Opportunities: Diversity & Inclusion
Addressing issues of race, diversity and inclusion in the field of philanthropy has been a high priority for MCF ever since its 1991 strategic plan, Imperatives for New Times. In our most recent strategic plan STRATEGY | 2010, MCF continues to commit to leadership strategies that enhance grantmaker impact and effectiveness through active promotion of inclusive practices. This year, MCF seeks member support for three ongoing initiatives in this area: the Working Towards Diversity IV Research Study, the Grantmaker Action Learning Community on Working Toward Racial Equity and Inclusion in Philanthropy, and the MCF Diversity Fellowship.

Working Towards Diversity IV Research Study
Since 1995, MCF has been a leader in the field of research on diversity in philanthropy. Every five years since then, MCF has produced a comprehensive study benchmarking changes in inclusive practices among Minnesota philanthropists. To further the conversation about how to create a more diverse and inclusive philanthropic sector, in 2010 MCF will produce its fourth written report summarizing current diversity and inclusivity policies, procedures and practices of MCF’s members, as well as aggregated information on staff and Board demographics.

Support from our members will allow MCF to complete a comprehensive update of the survey instrument, produce a report that places Minnesota findings within the context of important national diversity research initiatives, and develop programming that provides opportunities for members to translate research results into practice.

Grantmaker Action Learning Community on Working Toward Racial Equity and Inclusion in Philanthropy
This unique, yearlong action-learning community experience will provide information, education and a supportive network of peer teams through which foundations and giving programs can:

• Explore current institutional perspectives and behaviors on inclusion, equity, race and culture.
• Engage in intensive learning, sharing and examination of current and potential practices that contribute to increased awareness about how to address institutional barriers to effectiveness and equity.

Thanks to grant support from The Saint Paul Foundation, MCF has now completed Phase I planning and curriculum development for this project. With additional member support, Phase II plans can move forward, including development of an evaluation component for the pilot, establishing scholarships for participants, and promoting the project to 2011 participants.

MCF Diversity Fellowship
MCF recently announced the appointment of its first Diversity Fellow, who will work 20 hours per week for nine months during 2010 to increase MCF’s capacity to provide greater diversity/inclusivity leadership for our members and for the field of philanthropy. The Diversity Fellow will provide resources, education and assistance to members as they carry out their everyday roles as funders, employers, economic entities and community citizens, as outlined in the MCF Diversity Framework. In addition, the fellow will be instrumental in supporting the organization’s annual Plan of Inclusivity.

Thanks to the leadership of ADC Foundation and the John Larsen Foundation, core funding for the Fellowship is in place for 2010. With supplemental support from our members, MCF will be able to cover additional project expenses, provide additional development opportunities to the Fellow, and support successful project outcomes for MCF and its members.

For more information, please contact Bill King, president at 612.335.3557 or bking@mcf.org or Wendy Wehr, vice president of communications and information services at 612.335.3597 or wwehr@mcf.org, or, to purchase your sponsorship, download our Sponsorship Order Form (pdf).

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*Inclusion in subsequent marketing materials depends on receipt of sponsorship by publication deadlines.