Building Great Funder-Nonprofit Relationships

Open to: 
GCG Full Members (free) & Non-Member Funders ($50)
When: 
Thursday, March 21, 2019
9:00am to 11:30am CDT
Where: 
Jewish Federation of St. Louis; Kaplan Feldman Complex Building
12 Millstone Campus Drive; St. Louis, MO 63146
Driving Directions
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Program Description

Navigating the complex funder-nonprofit relationship is vital to mission success. Often, it seems, nonprofits do the asking, reporting, and providing, while donors sit in positions to say yes or no, how much, when and what's required. Achieving balance takes more than just good intentions - it takes flexibility, finesse, and a sincere desire to acknowledge and address the power dynamics at play.

This program will showcase the importance of, and how to build, better working relationships and how to increase the impact of funders' work. We'll discuss mutual trust, humility, empathy, proactive communication, and other attributes as hallmarks of "great" relationships and building trust. Participants will have an opportunity to complete a diagnostic tool and discuss where they fall on a continuum with colleagues in small groups and as a whole group.

Speakers at the program include:

  • Cynthia Schall, the chief program officer of Exponent Philanthropy, leading the content, programs and services efforts. She works with in-house teams, foundation practitioners, and sector leaders to bring the most relevant expertise and practical guidance to Exponent Philanthropy membership.
  • Wendy Jaffe, the executive director at the Trio Foundation of St. Louis, where she was the first employee 18 years ago. Currently, Wendy chairs the GCG's Engagement Committee and co-chairs GCG's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion affinity group. She is also serving as chair of the host committee for the 2019 Exponent Philanthropy Connect conference.
  • Eulonda Nevels, the chief administrative officer for the YWCA Metro St. Louis. She has been with the agency for 22 years. Eulonda oversees the agency programs, operations, quality improvement and racial justice services. She also serves as the board chair for the Women's Foundation of St. Louis

Schedule 

8:30am - Registration & Networking

9:00am - Program & Discussion

Partnership

Special thanks to Exponent Philanthropy for facilitating this event and to U.S. Trust for generously sponsoring this GCG program.