At The Table @ The Minneapolis Foundation

With a career in philanthropy, I have a variety of resources to develop skills in charitable giving at my finger tips.  I read blogs and articles; I attend conferences and network with peers.  I am grateful for all of that information, but I learn best by doing.  I thrive on practice, not theory.  So where do you turn for hands on experience in charitable giving?

Last night I had the opportunity to attend the kick-off of Community Capital Alliance’s 12^th year of grantmaking in the Twin Cities. Community Capital Alliance (CCA), a long standing partner of The Minneapolis Foundation, is committed to “developing community through engaged philanthropy.”

CCA is a giving circle in which individuals pool their money and decide together where to give the funds.  Each year CCA selects a community issue to focus on.  They research the topic, meet with experts who work in the field and identify nonprofit organizations who work in the selected area.   Nonprofits are invited to apply for funding from CCA.  CCA members review proposals, go on site visits of the organizations, and decide through a democratic process which organization best addresses their community issue and should receive funds.

Through the process CCA members learn about the Twin Cities and the nonprofit sector, while developing leadership skills and a network of like-minded people.  As one CCA member said, “giving away money is far more complicated then it first seems, but CCA is a great way to learn from and with others.”

In addition to the learning process, CCA allows you to make a bigger impact than giving solo. For example, two years ago I participated as a member when the community focus was on workforce development.  CCA decided to fund Emerge and its StreetWerks program.  StreetWerks employs ex-offenders to work on crews performing various landscaping, lawn care and rubbish removal for the City of Minneapolis.  With the grant from CCA, Emerge was able to purchase a truck and hire an additional crew.  It gave a group of ex-offenders the opportunity to return to the workforce and be contributing members of society.  This was a powerful experience.  Where else could I start the year by making a contribution to CCA of $250 and at the end of the year buy a truck and, more importantly, employ 5 people?

While not all CCA grants are as tangible as purchasing a truck, there is something incredibly meaningful about the experience of learning and making a thoughtful decision about charitable giving.  A recent study conducted by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers and the Center on Philanthropy at Indian University on the impact of giving circles, showed that members of giving circles think more strategically about giving by conducting research or using data on organizational performance in making funding decisions.  And, participation in giving circles increases knowledge about philanthropy and awareness of the nonprofit sector on a local and international level, than prior to their involvement.

If you are in the Twin Cities area and are looking for a hands-on experience in philanthropy then check out Community Capital Alliance.  The next meeting is coming up on Tuesday, October 6^th.  For more information check out www.ccalliance.net.