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Associated Grant Makers 39th Annual Member Meeting
June 12, 2008
AGM Annual Meeting Summary
On a beautiful Spring Day, the members of Associated Grant Makers met at the ForeFront Conference Center in Waltham for learning, networking and inspiration. The theme for the 39th Annual Members Meeting was Listening to the Voices of the Community, a value that is core to the way AGM undertakes its mission. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Sherece West, President of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation (Little Rock, Arkansas) provided an inspiring start to the day, beginning with her challenge to us to “hush up and listen,” reminding us that too often foundations enter communities with preconceived notions about what those communities need, and that often the most valuable thing funders can do is to “hush up” and let the voices of the community come through.
She also provided food for thought about the importance of commitment to both listening and long-term funding, and to paying careful attention to the power dynamic that is inherent in the grantee-funder relationship. We need to listen carefully, because grantees – aware that they are often in a less powerful position – may not feel comfortable saying the whole truth. As funders, there is also an important truth that you may not always hear what you want to, but there is a value to taking in “bad news” or honest criticism and learning from those moments. Sherece’s keynote was the perfect lead-in for the three concurrent panels which followed. This year we developed panels mostly comprised of grantees to discuss both the successes and challenges of the grantee-funder relationship as it develops over time.
“Building the Relationship”
 The first panel “Building the Relationship” addressed the seeming contradiction that courses in fund development often emphasize that one should “build relationships” with funders. However, funders face their own resource and time pressures, which aren’t always conducive to open door or “open phone/email” policies. So, how do grantees go about building relationships with funders? How can funders find out about new and emerging nonprofits? Our panelists were: Katya Fels Smythe, Founder & Principal, Full Frame Initiative; Beth Zwick, Executive Director, Watertown Community Foundation; and Carol Gomez, Founding Director, Mata Hari Eye of the Day. Yasmin Shah of Grants Management Associates moderated.
Among the Key themes and observations that emerged from this panel was that a “one size fits all” method of evaluation followed by some funders is challenging. But there is great benefit when funders have been flexible on reporting and evaluation. One grant seeker noted an evaluation that allowed storytelling as the primary method which was a much better “fit” for that organization’s type of work. Also, grant seekers noted that it would be beneficial to learn what ‘success’ of the grant would look like to the funder in the beginning of the relationship. In this way, the seekers noted that the expectations would be clear. Panelists also noted that there is a distinct challenge in knowing the best way to connect when the funder documentation says not to call but they then find out that there are exceptions to the rule. Finally, panelists noted that is very helpful when funders helped to introduce grant seekers to other potential funders and people in the community.
“Maintaining/Developing the Relationships”
 The second panel, “Maintaining/Developing the Relationships” looked at how funders and grantees work together effectively over the course of a grant or other relationship. What are different models for working together? How, specifically do grantees and funders learn to communicate with each other, and how can expectations around evaluation and outcomes be best discussed? Our panelists were: George “Chip” Greenidge, Executive Director, National Black College Alliance; Annie Murphy, Executive Director, Framingham Historical Society & Museum; and Giovanna Negretti, Executive Director, Oiste. Kelly Bates, Executive Director, Access Strategies Fund, moderated.
This discussion ranged over a range of topics, including a focus on changing the dynamics of the way funders and grantees communicate with one another. Specific recommendations included the suggestion that grantees should bring ideas not just requests for funding to the grantors; the expectations of both grantees and grantors should be explicitly stated at the out set; and funders should create opportunities to share knowledge and information with the grantees - not just about the grant process but really about the issues that they are both trying to solve Finally, on grantee noted that it was critical to make sure the relationship is ready for the ask. First spend 1-3 years creating a relationship between the nonprofit and the funder and then and only then make the ask - this leads to better results, long term funding relationships and a less burdensome process.
Participants in this session also strongly encouraged AGM to look into ways to bring funders and nonprofits together to talk about issue areas (e.g., education, climate change) and look for ways to leverage both dollars and expertise to jointly problem solve.
“Beyond the Money – Funders and Grantee relationships outside of grants”
 The third panel, “Beyond the Money – Funders and Grantee relationships outside of grants” provided an opportunity to look at some of the many ways that funders and grantees can work together to accomplish their mutual missions. How can funders support grantees in non-monetary ways? Our panelists, Jude Goldman, Executive Director, The Lenny Zakim Fund and Beth Babcock, Executive Director, Crittenton Women's Union were moderated by David Ford, Executive Director, Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation.
In this panel, a range of examples were highlighted, including the learning institutes the Lenny Zakim Fund hosts for their grantees which focus on building skills in areas such as board development and fundraising. Topics for these institutes are selected based on grantee feedback and surveys. Beth Babcock talked about funder support during nonprofit mergers, and from the audience, Dayna Antenucci talked about how the AGM Summer Fund free and reduced price field trips for the camps in the Summer Fund Portfolio through its annual Cultural Day activity.
Following a delicious lunch, the AGM Annual Business Meeting was held, during which three departing Board members were thanked for their service to AGM: Kerry H. Sullivan, Bank of America Charitable Foundation (10 years); Moe Boisvert, Y.O.U., Inc. (3 years); and Nike Speltz, Cabot Family Charitable Trust (2 years).
New AGM Board Members
Five new board members were elected to the board:
- Craig Dutra, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts
- Jeffrey Hayward, Senior Vice President, United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley
- Melinda Marble, Executive Director, Paul & Phyllis Fireman Foundation
- Celina Miranda, Assistant Vice President & Charitable Giving Manager, Bank of New York Mellon
- William Walczak, Codman Square Community Health Center
President's Report
 In Ron Ancrum’s absence, Miki Akimoto presented a Vice President’s report highlighting some of AGM’s accomplishments over the past 12 months, including the rolling out of the Nonprofit Directory, the work AGM does to connect our membership with local and national affinity groups, new programming for both members and partners, and how AGM continues to stretch the geographic boundaries of its program offerings.
Chair's Report
 Bill Eaton, Chair of the AGM Board, provided thoughtful reflection on how valuable AGM is as a resource to grantmakers, particularly to people new to the field. He talked about his own experience of joining the board of trustees of a foundation and suddenly being asked to consider decisions and strategies that were new and foreign to him. He said the resources and networks offered by AGM were instrumental in his development as a foundation trustee. He summed up the theme of the meeting of Listening to the Voices of the Community and noted that AGM will continue to listen to all our constituent voices as we structure and provide new programs and resources in the coming year.
New AGM Members
AGM is pleased to announce a number of new AGM members including Tourism Cares, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, MetroWest Community Health Care Foundation, Middlesex Savings Bank, and the Eos Foundation.
As always, the Annual meeting provided opportunities to connect with old friends, and to make new connections, as well as a chance to learn new things. We look forward to seeing you next year at the programs we will offer, as well as the celebrations of AGM’s 40th year of operations.
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