Early Afternoon Sessions, October 8

1:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Avoiding the Donor–Grantee Trap: Effective Collaboration

From experts at The Bridgespan Group, learn keys to effective donor–grantee collaboration: ensure grantees have what it takes to get the job done, develop shared goals and productive working relationships, and create the conditions necessary for continual improvement.

Presenters: Susan Ditkoff, The Bridgespan Group, Boston, MA; Katie Everett, The Lynch Foundation, Boston, MA; Ronald Rowell, Common Counsel Foundation, Oakland, CA; and Willa Seldon, The Bridgespan Group, San Francisco, CA

Bringing People and Ideas Together: The Power of Convening

Discover how convening grantees, nonprofits, organizations interested in common issues, and entire communities cultivates knowledge and relationships, raises awareness, focuses attention, and sparks collective action.

Presenters: Marty Fluharty, The Americana Foundation, Novi, MI; Jan Jaffe, Center for Next Practice, New York, NY; Janis Reischmann, Hau’oli Mau Loa Foundation, Honolulu, HI; and Lindsey Stammerjohn, John Gogian Family Foundation, Torrance, CA

Fresh Ideas on Funding Innovation

Funding seed projects is an opportunity to support a fresh idea or an exciting leader, but it can also be risky. How can you assess a project when it doesn’t yet have a track record?

Presenters: Anne Marie Burgoyne, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Menlo Park, CA; Marc Ross Manashil, TechSoup Global, San Francisco, CA; Megan McTiernan, Thomson Family Foundation, San Francisco, CA; and Claire Solot, The Marcled Foundation and The Bigglesworth Family Foundation, San Francisco, CA

Salon: Social Innovation Through Journalism

Join our Plenary Speaker David Bornstein for a small group discussion on how improved journalism can accelerate social innovation. Contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to register. Limited seating.

Presenter: David Bornstein, The New York Times’s Fixes column, Dowser, New York, NY

Strategic Uses of Donor Advised Funds

Funders often use multiple giving vehicles to accomplish charitable goals. Learn how donor advised funds (DAFs) work and how foundation donors and managers are using DAFs to accomplish their philanthropic missions.

Presenters: Melissa Bradley, Tides, San Francisco, CA; Rosemary Fei, Adler & Colvin, San Francisco, CA; Diane Sanchez, East Bay Community Foundation, Oakland, CA; and Cynthia Strauss, Fidelity Charitable, Boston, MA

Technology Tool Shop: Crowdsourcing: Tapping the Masses for Ideas and Impact

Contests for change and crowdsourced philanthropy initiatives like the X Prizes, America’s Giving Challenge, and the Knight News Challenge have taken off in popularity as the public, private, and nonprofit sectors have embraced prizes, challenges, and open grantmaking to find solutions and inspire public involvement. Come learn how the proliferation in tools and models can spark innovation and expand your reach. Limited seating, pre-registration required. Contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to reserve your spot.

Presenter: Michael Smith, The Case Foundation, Washington, DC

Ways to Choose and Use Investment Professionals

How do you select the right investment professionals for your foundation and evaluate their performance? Learn the pros and cons of different models for professional investment help plus practical insights into how to choose and oversee an investment professional.

Presenters: Joan Alway, Icicle Fund, Leavenworth, WA; Heather Myers, Russell Investments, New York, NY; and Ben Valore-Caplan, Syntrinsic Investment Counsel, LLC, Denver, CO

We Have to Talk: Difficult Conversations

Your work necessitates conversations that involve tricky interpersonal dynamics and strong emotions. Learn—and practice—specific techniques and skills to make tough conversations constructive, focused, and less stressful.

Presenters: Kate James, Chicago, IL, and Colleen Murray, Chicago, IL

Working Together Across the Miles

Foundation boards often must work together from across the country—or even the world. Hear creative solutions to bridge the miles and make your work more rewarding.

Presenters: Toni Bermudez, George F. Jewett Foundation, San Francisco, CA; Nelli Garton, Marie C. and Joseph C. Wilson Foundation, Elkhart Lake, WI; Annie Hernandez, The Lumpkin Family Foundation, Mattoon, IL; Anita Jackson, W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation, San Francisco, CA; Dori Krieger, Association of Small Foundations, Washington, DC; and Scott Semel, Frieda C. Fox Family Foundation, Studio City, CA