Since 1994, the Nonprofit Management Fund has operated as a
collaboration of private funders in the metropolitan Milwaukee
area. Current partners in the Milwaukee Fund include: the Helen
Bader, Faye McBeath, Greater Milwaukee, Lynde and Harry Bradley,
Jane Bradley Pettit, Suzanne and Richard Pieper, Harley-Davidson,
Miller Brewing, Fleck, and Northwestern Mutual Foundations,
Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund, the United Way of Greater Milwaukee,
and an anonymous donor. Collectively, the funders in Milwaukee
have contributed over $2.5 million for grants to nonprofit organizations
and to implement related initiatives.
The goals of the Fund are to
increase resources and provide funding for nonprofit organizations
to improve their management capacity. The expectations are that
grantees will become more effective and efficient in serving
clients, program participants, their audience, or the community-at-large.
With the completion of seven years, both the Fund's evaluation
and the demand for support have reinforced the mission:
"To improve
the management effectiveness and efficiency of nonprofit organizations
and increase the resources for nonprofit management in the greater
Milwaukee area."
Management Cornerstones Inc.,
a firm with 18 years experience in consulting, training and
program development with nonprofit organizations, serves as
the Fund Advisor. Principals in the firm manage both the implementation
and evaluation of the grantmaking program, as well as oversee
the initiatives of the Fund.
Award decisions are now made
monthly in Milwaukee by a committee representing the sponsoring
partners. Eligible applicants for technical assistance grants
are nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations that have been in existence
at least two years, have operating budgets under $3 million,
and primarily serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee or Washington counties.
Applications are reviewed by the Fund Advisors on the accuracy
of problem analysis, appropriateness of approaches to solving
problems, and most importantly, the degree to which the proposed
project will build the capacity of the organization to address
its management needs. Usually, projects incorporate the expertise
of a consultant whose services will be engaged using the Fund's
award.
Primarily nonprofit organizations
apply for projects related to Management Assistance,
which includes an array of options in Board development, corporate
restructuring, planning, fundraising, financial management,
technology, human resources or marketing. In addition, grants
are made to address Organizational Alternatives, which
encompasses mergers, restructuring, joint projects and dissolution.
Since its first funding cycle
in November 1994, the Nonprofit Management Fund in Milwaukee
has received 580 applications. Often faced with difficult decisions,
due to a limited grant allotment, the Fund has awarded $2,431,421
to 410 organizations and authorized 34 diagnostic clinics during
this time period. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 with an
average grant size of $5,900.
While technical assistance grants
that build the capacity of nonprofit organizations comprise
the largest share of annual expenditures, the sponsors are also
interested in broader investments in the local nonprofit sector.
In 2002, diagnostic clinics, which assess an organization's
management and governance capability will continue to be offered.
In addition to conducting several diagnostic clinics for applicants,
the Fund forged a partnership with the City of Milwaukee to
offer the same service to community development corporations,
and with Milwaukee County, the Fund Advisors will conduct organizational
assessments of several substance abuse programs.
The Board Orientation
And Resource Development Initiative will continue to
host or co-sponsor an array of general orientation and specialty
workshops for Board Directors of all nonprofits. In 2002, it
will conduct a research effort to profile local nonprofit Boards
as a parallel process to a national study by BoardSource (formerly
the National Center for Nonprofit Boards), and the first Board
Consultant Institute will be completed. A Board Colloquy will
also be organized to provide input on the future of this initiative.
This year, the Fund will explore
the potential of developing projects that increase resources
for financial management and for the professional development
of technical assistance providers. The Fund has also decided
to participate in a national partnership with Hispanics In Philanthropy
to build the management capacity of Latino organizations and
to create resources to develop leaders within the Latino community.
Evaluation reports reviewed
after each management project have conveyed substantial satisfaction,
citing ample evidence that the activities have built organizational
capacity through specific management or governance changes as
a result of a Nonprofit Management Fund investment. Grantees
have also been very pleased with the expert guidance that they
have received from consultants and the Fund Advisors. The application
process continues to be lauded as well.
"As a first
time recipient of support from the Nonprofit Management Fund,
we found the fund managers to be very personable, helpful and
timely. The application process was very succinct and direct,
helping to conserve time on the part of the applying organization."
