Florida Philanthropic Network

2015 HIGHLIGHTSA year of advancement

2015 was a year of advancement at Florida Philanthropic Network, bringing increased stability and expanded opportunities for statewide impact. We once again achieved a record-high membership level; executed the largest Statewide Summit on Philanthropy to date and began planning for the 2016 Summit; launched the first-ever Florida Philanthropy Day focused on philanthropic and government partnerships; and continued to increase and strengthen our education and networking.

Ensure FPN’s Leadership Voice Is Essential in Florida’s Policy Decisions

Throughout 2015, FPN continued to play a leadership role in being the voice for philanthropy on key policy discussions and decisions for Florida. Staff participated in and led discussion on Florida policy decisions at both state and national levels.

FPN Holds First-Ever Florida Philanthropy DayFPN held our first-ever Florida Philanthropy Day in Tallahassee on December 1-2. The event was an opportunity to present a strong, unified voice for philanthropy with the state’s policymakers and help explore future opportunities for public-

private partnerships. Participants engaged in meetings with the leadership of various state agencies, including the Department of Education, Department of Children & Families and Florida Housing Finance Corporation; met with colleagues at FPN member affinity group meetings that included special legislative and policymaking guests; got a preview of the 2016 legislative session; and much more.

FPN Leads Florida Delegation for Foundations on the HillFPN led the Florida delegation for the 2015 Foundations on the Hill event in March. Our team held 23 meetings with members of Florida’s congressional delegation and their staffs. We used this opportunity to stress the value and impact of philanthropy in our state and secured several follow-up interactions with legislators as a result.

FPN Issues First-Ever Health Policy PositionIn April 2015, through our Florida Health Funders (FHF) member affinity group, FPN issued a statement on extending healthcare coverage in Florida. This was an historic moment, marking the first time that FPN ever issued a statement on a health policy issue. FPN shared its health coverage position with Florida Governor Rick Scott and key Florida House and Senate leaders. We also provided FHF members with resources to help them communicate on this issue with their state legislators.

FPN Briefs Policymakers and Stakeholders on State of Children’s Health Coverage in Florida

Florida Health Funders presented a briefing on April 15 in Tallahassee to help inform policymakers and stakeholders with up-to-date information about health coverage for Florida’s children. The briefing was presented by Georgetown University’s Joan Alker, a national expert on health issues affecting low-income families, as part of the children’s advocacy week during the Florida legislative session to draw attention to the policy needs of children. It was another example of FHF playing a role in providing trusted, independent information on health policy issues for our state. FPN also presented a May webinar with Grantmakers for Children, Youth and Families and Grantmakers in Health.

Ensure FPN’s Leadership Voice Is Essential in Florida’s Policy Decisions

POLICY DIGEST• FPN Strengthens Partnership with State

Charity Regulators2015 marked the first full year of operation of the Florida Charitable Advisory Partnership (FCAP), which FPN established in partnership with the Florida Nonprofit Alliance. FCAP serves as an ongoing venue for Florida’s philanthropic and nonprofit sector to advise the state’s charity regulators on matters pertinent to our sector. Participants in the partnership include Florida’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Attorney General’s Office and Secretary of State’s Office.

• Florida Policy Institute EstablishedFPN played a leadership role in establishing a new Florida Policy Institute (FPI) that will conduct non-partisan analysis, propose solutions and provide the facts on how proposed policies will affect all Floridians before decisions are made. FPN President & CEO David Biemesderfer served on the FPI search committee, and FPN continues to serve as the fiscal sponsor for FPI.

• RaisingAwarenessonNonprofit“Overhead”In July FPN partnered with Florida Nonprofit Alliance for a webinar presenting an overview for nonprofits and funders about new OMB Uniform Guidance stating that a nonprofit’s indirect costs – or “overhead” – are legitimate expenses that need to be reimbursed for the organization to be sustainable and effective. The webinar featured presenters from the National Council of Nonprofits and was attended by more than 150 people.

• WhiteHouseBriefingonImmigrationOn September 28, FPN President & CEO David Biemesderfer represented Florida philanthropy in Washington, D.C. at a White House Briefing on immigration. White House officials and other national experts shared data and information on a new campaign to promote citizenship among those who are eligible, and other efforts to strengthen immigrant integration, and the role for philanthropy on immigration-related issues.

FPN Announces Support for Statewide Goal for Post-Secondary Education AttainmentIn August 2015, FPN and its Education Funders Affinity Group (EAG) announced support for establishing a statewide goal to have 60% of working-age Floridians possess post-secondary degrees or certifications by the year 2025. State and national workforce projections predict that over 60% of Florida jobs will require some form of postsecondary education

or training by the year 2020, yet currently only 38% of working-age Floridians hold an associate’s degree or higher. The EAG communicated this goal and related policy positions in a paper that we sent to key external stakeholders, including policymakers at the Florida Department of Education, the Governor’s office and in the Florida Legislature.

EXPANDED STATEWIDE AND NATIONAL REACHFunders Convene in Brevard, Broward & Southwest FloridaAs part of FPN’s efforts to expand our reach across the state of Florida, we held regional funders convenings in Brevard County, Broward and Southwest Florida in partnership with local foundations. Programs featured funder evaluation discussion with Peter York, CEO and Founder of Algorhythm, one of the highest-rated presenters at FPN’s 2015 Summit. The June convening in Miromar Lakes marked our first attempt to convene a Southwest Florida Grantmakers Forum.

FPN’s 2015 Leadership Conversations: DEIIn mid-October, FPN held Florida Philanthropy Leadership Conversations in four cities over four days to discuss how philanthropy can advance diversity, equity and inclusion in our members’ organizations, grantmaking work and communities. The discussions were held in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale and attracted more than 70 total participants. The conversations highlighted a number of critical opportunities and challenges for grantmakers in addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as opportunities and future action plans.

FPN Partners With IS for Its National Conference in MiamiFPN was the Premier Partner for Independent Sector’s 2015 National Conference in Miami — Independent Sector’s first-ever conference in Florida. In addition to helping IS with planning and promoting the conference, FPN presented several sessions highlighting the good work going on in Florida’s nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, helping to raise FPN’s profile nationally — particularly with national funders.

Advance the Common Good by Increasing Philanthropy’s Effectiveness in Florida

In 2015 FPN offered a number of different education and learning opportunities that fulfilled the goal in FPN’s strategic plan to “conveneFloridagrantmakerstolearnfromoneanother,sharebestpractices,andtakeactionontopicsofcommoninterest.” Some highlights:

Largest-Ever Statewide Summit on Philanthropy FPN’s 2015 Statewide Summit on Philanthropy set a new record for registrations and Summit sponsorship and exhibitor revenue, which totaled $100,000 — an 8% increase from the previous record set in 2014. Revered national and international civil servant and philanthropic leader Ambassador James A. Joseph opened the Summit with insights on addressing the growing challenges grantmakers face as we seek to improve our communities and make a difference in our work.

Record Summit SatisfactionIn the Summit evaluation, nearly all respondents — 98% — rated the Summit as good or excellent.

57% ExcellentExceeded My Expectations

41% Good Met My Expectations

NEW MEMBER AFFINITY GROUPSFunders Together FloridaIn May FPN announced Funders Together Florida (FTF). The affinity group is a partnership between FPN and Funders Together to End Homelessness, a national network of funders supporting strategic, innovative and effective solutions to homelessness. This is the first statewide group of its kind. FTF held a kickoff convening in June, which offered an opportunity for Florida funders working to end homelessness to network; broaden their knowledge of collaborative work to end homelessness in Florida and nationwide; and help shape an agenda for the future work of the group.

Florida Women’s Funding AllianceThe Florida Women’s Funding Alliance also launched in May. The Alliance seeks to transform the lives of women and girls through FPN members’ collective voice and resources. Born from a 2015 Summit meeting, the Alliance is meeting the needs of our members who share an interest in catalyzing and strengthening women’s philanthropy to improve the lives of women and girls in our state.

Continued Research on Florida GivingIn 2015, FPN continued its research on the growing grantmaking communities addressing issues ranging from the arts to medical research to the sciences at the local, national and even international level. Giving in Florida 2015 report – produced in partnership with Foundation Center – examined charitable giving trends, funding priorities and philanthropic growth in the state.

Technology CapacityIn December, FPN launched a web communications platform that greatly enhanced our technology capacity for both staff and members. Our redesigned website fpnetwork.org now offers interactive features such as members-only access areas, a membership directory and a comprehensive knowledgebase with resources from grantmakers across the country. With the new platform, FPN’s web communications are fully integrated with the back-end database leading to improved internal efficiencies for staff.

Staff CapacityIn September, we welcomed Stephanie Gocklin to the FPN team as our new Communications Manager — FPN’s first full-time communications position. Stephanie previously worked as Director of Communications for CareerSource North Central Florida in Gainesville.

Financial CapacityFPN’s financial capacity remained strong in 2015. Dues revenue increased 20% from the previous year, we expanded our grant and sponsorship support and we ended the year with a healthy surplus and 4-5 months of operating reserves.

Advance the Common Good by Increasing Philanthropy’s Effectiveness in Florida

Build and Nurture a Diverse Membership Committed to FPN’s Mission

Increase FPN’s Financial Strength and Capacity

Florida Community Foundations Gather for 2-Day Summer MeetingMore than 50 Florida community foundation staff members convened in June in Tampa for FPN’s annual CFF Summer Meeting. The program featured case study presentations from FPN members; a keynote address by Ann Christiano, the Frank Karel Endowed Chair in Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida; presentations from Council on Foundations and Foundation Center representatives; and a session on community foundations and women’s philanthropy.

FPN Releases Florida Community Foundation Research ReportFor the second year FPN continued our successful collaboration with CF Insights, which is now housed at the Foundation Center, to prepare a report showing Florida community foundation asset growth and activity during FY 2014. The report serves as a starting point to help our community foundation members understand their foundation’s growth and grantmaking in the context of relevant state and national comparisons.

FPN Presents First-Ever Community Foundation Boot CampFPN held its inaugural Community Foundation Boot Camp program in October in Fort Lauderdale. The goal of the intensive one-day program was to provide new community foundation staff and board members with on overview of the structure and operations of a community foundation. FPN presented the program in partnership with the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance, our colleague organization in Indiana.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS OF FLORIDA

In 2015, FPN added 10 new members bringing membership to a record-high of nearly 120 organizations. New FPN members in 2015 included a mix of family foundations, corporate grantmakers and public charity grantmakers:

Charles and Margery Barancik FoundationCSX Corporation

Florida Humanities CouncilFlorida Power & LightLovelight Foundation

Harvey and Carol Massey FoundationThe Mosaic CompanySpurlino FoundationUnited Way Suncoast

The Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches