Partner Forumnotes January 2012

IN THIS ISSUE
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U.S. Surgeon General Briefs Donors Forum's Members on New National Prevention Strategy

United States Surgeon General Regina Benjamin met with Donors Forum grantmaking Members in December to discuss the new National Prevention Strategy and ways funders and nonprofits could be involved in spreading and implementing its principles. In her remarks, Dr. Benjamin set out the importance of this effort, saying that preventing chronic illness has benefits that go beyond health. “We know that with better health, children attend school more regularly and are better able to learn. With better health, adults attend work more. With better health, seniors are more independent,” she said.

A key to effective prevention is integrating it into every aspect of people’s lives, and helping people understand that preventing illness does not just happen in a doctor’s office or a clinic. Providing safe alternatives, healthy homes, and awareness can empower people to make better choices for themselves, Dr. Benjamin said. “Good health comes from awareness,” she added. “Prevention needs to be targeted into every facet of our lives.”

To meet the goal of increasing the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life, the National Prevention Strategy focuses on four key areas: healthy and safe communities and environments, clinical and community preventative services, empowered people, and the elimination of health disparities.

Registration has Just Opened for an Exciting Event, March 7, With a New Format for Bringing Members and Partners Together

Register now to be part of a convening and reception with grantmaking Members, nonprofit Forum Partners, advisory Associate Members, and national thought leaders. Called "engage to the nth degree," this event, the first of its kind for Donors Forum, is being planned by a dynamic committee of leaders in the sector.

The event will be highly interactive through the facilitation of the nationally renowned America Speaks as well as graphic facilitator Brandy Agerbeck. Participants will explore how community engagement contributes to the economy and to the effectiveness of nonprofits and grantmakers, what the sector is doing well to promote engagement, and why we must get better at it -- now. We'll hear from national speakers as well as local nonprofit and grantmaking leaders. Everyone will have a chance to be part of the conversation, and we'll continue that discussion at a networking reception that evening and through more events during the coming year.

The convening and reception are only for Donors Forum Members, Partners, and Associate Members. Watch your email for an official announcement.

Time and Place:
Wednesday, March 7, Standard Club of Chicago
Check in: 2:30 pm; Convening: 3 - 5 pm; Reception: 5 - 7 pm

Registration:
Pre-registration is required; you can register here.
Early-bird fee (through Feb. 7): $40; after that, $60
Space is limited, and registration closes on Feb. 24



Author Series: A Conversation with Jeanne Gang
Mon., Feb. 6, Access Living, 115 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago
Reception 5 - 5:30 pm; Presentation 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Discounted fee for Members, Forum Partners, and Associate Members: $30; regular fee: $45

Donors Forum is pleased to present the second event in its Author Series, a new opportunity for connecting grantmakers, nonprofits, and advisors with each other and with national experts.
Renowned architect and recently named MacArthur Fellow Jeanne Gang thinks big. Having already brought award-winning buildings -- such as the "Aqua" skyscraper -- to Chicago, she is now thinking about how to redesign a central element of the city itself: the Chicago River. Ms. Gang's new book, Reverse Effect: Renewing Chicago's Waterway, encourages architects, designers, policymakers, advocates, and community members to re-imagine and reshape the future of the Chicago River. In this conversation, Ms. Gang will discuss her book and her vision for the future of the Chicago waterway, as well as some of her other work on "green" and sustainable design. Copies of Ms. Gang's book will be available for purchase at the event. Register now.



New GEO Report on Grantee Impact Issued

National affinity group Grantmakers for Effective Organizations has issued the seventh paper related to its Scaling That Works initiative. The paper explores how grantmakers can effectively support grantee efforts to strengthen evaluation and learning capacity. Download Expanding the Impact of Grantees: How Do We Build the Capacity of Nonprofits to Evalute, Learn, and Improve? here.



Activities, Awards, and Accolades

The Business Civic Leadership Center of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced winners of its 2011 awards. Kraft Foods Inc. was honored with the Best Corporate Steward Award, and W.W. Grainger and the American Red Cross were jointly honored with the Best Partnership Award.

Associate Member Marc J. Lane has been appointed the Chairman of Illinois' new Task Force on Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Enterprise by Governor Pat Quinn.

The IDP Foundation is involved in supporting the efforts of the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up campaign, and in building relationships within the UN Foundation. Girl Up envisions a world where all girls have the opportunity to become educated, healthy, safe, counted, and positioned to be the next generations of leaders. Girl Up gives American girls the opportunity to become global leaders and channel their energy and compassion to raise awareness and funds for programs of the United Nations.

At the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, David Rubovitz has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Planning and Allocations from Vice President, Planning and Allocations.

Congratulations to The Otho S.A Sprague Memorial Institute on its 100th anniversary! Founder Otho Sylvester Arnold Sprague (pictured, 1839 - 1909) called on family members and advisors to implement a philanthropic program to investigate the causes of diseases and to find ways to prevent and relieve human suffering. The Institute’s earliest work included research on cancer, tuberculosis, industrial diseases, mental health, and diabetes. Its researchers pioneered the use of insulin to control diabetes, examined the causal effect of cigarettes on lung cancer, and studied the impact of environmental factors, such as coal dust, on health. Current programs include those on oral health, childhood obesity, the Chicago Health Atlas, and Smart Health Chicago. Its collaborative model is used internationally. Commenting on the anniversary and the Institute's work, Executive Director James Alexander said, "I have been inspired by how a self-perpetuating, all-volunteer board has stayed true to the mission of a founder they never knew, and how a focused philanthropy with modest resources, but a big vision, can make a difference." Read more about the Institute's 100-year history and current work here.

Laura Thrall stepped down Dec. 31 from her position as President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. Wendy DuBoe, Chief Operating Officer, has been named Interim Chief Executive Officer while an executive search is conducted.

Richard Turner, Manager of Corporate Contributions at Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, was honored in December by The Corporate Responsibility Group of Greater Chicago as its 2011 Person of the Year. The annual honor recognizes the accomplishments and commitment of an outstanding community member. Read about Mr. Turner's many accomplishments and contributions to philanthropy here. 

Jessica Wheeler is the new Program Associate, Community Involvement, at Aon Corporation. Previously, she was Manager of Special Events at the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals - Chicago Chapter has announced honorees for its 36th Annual Philanthropy Awards Luncheon in May, 2012. Read the names of the honorees, among them Donors Forum Members and Partners, here.



Job Openings

Advocate Charitable Foundation - Bethany Fund Grants Coordinator

Council on Foundations – President and Chief Executive Officer

Donors Forum - Communications and Development Volunteer (afternoons)

Econ Illinois - Executive Director

Horizon Hospice & Palliative Care - Development Associate

Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago - Planning Associate

The Retirement Research Foundation - Grants and Technology Administrator

Window to the World Communications, Inc. (WTTW 11) - Development Coordinator



Grant Announcements

Go to this page on Donors Forum's website for news briefs on recent grants awarded by funders including:

• Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln's Young Philanthropists Initiative
• The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation