September 4, 2019 - 12:00 pm
Foundations ultimately want to improve the lives of individuals living and working in their footprint, but they may not always know how. There is value in asking and listening to community members’ ideas, solutions, and what they believe they need to improve their quality of life. Community engagement enhances foundations’ ability to work with the people they strive to help, while uncovering new or hidden voices to increase the effectiveness and sustainability of foundation investments. Advocacy & Communication Solutions, LLC (ACS) defines community engagement as the process to build ongoing relationships for the purpose of applying a collective vision for the benefit of a community. Engagement can be both a process and an outcome; it can be done by the public sector, the private sector, non-profits, and the philanthropic sector in many different ways. Community engagement is one method to help foundations shift from reactive to proactive investments. Engaging the community can help identify service gaps and assets to leverage, as well as help keep a finger on the pulse of communities’ evolving needs.
Hear from Susan DeVenny, the President/CEO of the J. Marion Sims Foundation, about how they have made community engagement the backbone of all of their foundation’s investments, and effectively engaged community members to rebuild community trust and relevance, solidified their role in the community as a valued strategic partner, and used the information received to inform the creation and continually guide a new strategic direction. Advocacy & Communication Solutions, LLC will also share tips, tools, and examples to help foundations engage their community effectively. Fee: $55
Sponsored by National Network of Consultants to Grantmakers