Highlights of Past Meet-the-Donors

April 11, 2019 - Meet-the-Donors: Corporate Foundations & Giving Programs

Around 90 nonprofit attendees gathered in the beautiful space at the Arts at the Armory in Somerville to hear about corporate foundation and giving programs and network with their peers. The room was buzzing with conversation and collaboration as we learned from Corporate Foundation representatives focused on issues ranging from hunger and illness to physical activity and healthy outcomes. One lasting impression from the day: Make sure you do your foundation research homework before reaching out to potential funders to ask questions that are answered on their website.

Moderator:

Becca Fracassa, Director of Community Impact, Comcast – Greater Boston

Panelists:

Laura Kurzrok, Executive Director, Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation

April McGonnigal, Sr. Manager, Joy in Childhood Foundation

Brooke Rosenbauer, Community Impact, Reebok

Katie Meyer Soares, Community Relations Programs Manager, TJX

Beverly Tangvik, President, Arbella Insurance Foundation

Read a full write up of the program here.

December 13, 2018 - Meet-the-Donors: Community Development

From bikes to housing, food security to urban tree planting, the 75 attendees of the latest Meet-the-Donors program represented the diversity of Massachsuetts nonprofits working on community development. Gathered at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, our panelists of foundation and state representatives shared the work they're doing, as well as suggestions of how they might work with the attendees in the room. A lasting impression from the day: When it comes to community development, collaboration amongst and between funders and nonprofits is key.

Panelists:
Jeff Bellows, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship + Public Affairs, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Kurt Gaertner, Land Policy and Planning Director, MA Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs
Ruth Goldman, Consulting Program Officer, Merck Family Fund

Soni Gupta, Director of Neighborhoods and Housing, The Boston Foundation
Lisa Jacobson, Program Officer, Mobility, Barr Foundation

Read a full writeup of the program here.

October 30, 2018 - Meet-the-Donors: Central MA

Over 90 attendees gathered at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester to glean wisdom and best practices from funders in Central MA. Our diverse panelists represented foundations that only fund capital campaigns all the way to newer foundations still establishing their grantmaking practices. One big takeaway from the day: Worcester grantmakers are very connected and communicate with each other, so give attention to fostering your relationships.

Moderator:

Chris O'Keeffe, Vice President of Program, Greater Worcester Community Foundation

Panelists:

Allen Fletcher, Chairman, Fletcher Foundation and, Trustee, Stoddard Charitable Trust
Michealle Larkins, Vice President, Philanthropic Administrator, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management
Bethany Kendall, Executive Director, Amelia Peabody Charitable Fund
David Nicholson, Trustee, Fred Harris Daniels Foundation
Carolyn Rau, Foundation Assistant, GMA Foundations

Read a full write up of the program here.

July 11, 2018 - Meet-the-Donors: Donor Advised Funds

Over 140 attendees learned about Donor Advised Funds and their intricacies from our expert team of panelists at the Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown. The session was highly spirited and attendees got the inside scoop about who might use a Donor Advised Fund, how popular this giving vehicle is becoming, how to get themselves on the radar of these funds and more. A tip from the day: Make sure your online presence is up to date so potential funders can see what you're up to!