Day Two: Afield in Umatilla County: Pendleton & Milton-Freewater
Topics: TWST
Twenty-seven people attended! An overflow crowd! Not all from Pendleton, folks drove from Athena, Ukiah, Helix, Pilot Rock and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla reservation. In a complete turnaround from day one, all but one person in the room represented an organization that had received a grant from MMT. We felt so generous!
Two-Way Street Tour: Day One in Arlington & Hermiston
Topics: TWST
There were a lot of representatives from government agencies (municipalities, the port, economic development departments, local fire districts, libraries, and a few folks from 501(c)(3) organizations. It was a very good reminder that in many rural areas, government agencies play some of the roles that nonprofits play in more urban areas. There are many fewer formally organized nonprofits, with lots of volunteer committees doing the work of the community. This can present a challenge when foundation grants are sought, because the only eligible tax exempt organization might be a government body. Foundations take note!
Rest in peace, Warne Nunn
Topics: Communications
This morning we learned that trustee emeritus Warne Nunn has passed
away at age 86. Warne may well have been Meyer Memorial Trust's best
ambassador. He tirelessly traveled across the region, visiting grantees
and prospective grantees. He always had a word of encouragement for
nonprofit organizations and advocated for their needs passionately in
meetings with MMT's board of trustees. Warne had a special love for
Oregon history, public libraries and programs that supported
underserved children and families.
Where were you?
Topics: Communications
It's been so much fun hearing your answers to the question in my
previous email that I thought it only fair to share them with you:
Do you remember where you were on this day 27 years ago when you heard a particularly explosive news item?
Here are the answers so far. Please add your own below...
How we did on March 9th...
Topics: Communications
First, a big thanks to all of you who attended our first ever
gathering for nonprofits on March 9th. And a special thanks to those
(98 of you!) who took the time to fill out our online survey form to
help us know how you thought the event went.
2007: the best year yet!
Topics: Communications
As part of philanthrophy's efforts to be more accountable and more
effective, Meyer Memorial Trust has been engaged in a new level of
self-reflection, self-evaluation and strategic planning for the last
few years.
Is it that easy being green?
Topics: Grantmaking
With profound apologies to Kermit the Frog, we'd like to ask you about being green... As you may know, for several years MMT has had a policy encouraging "green" building practices in capital projects that seek funding from us. We have been especially interested in seeing construction that reduces use of fossil fuels and lowers ongoing energy costs for organizations.
Who's sustainable now?
Topics: Communications
Something has been weighing heavily on our minds for some time now,
and we'd like to know what you think. It's about the expectations of
foundations regarding sustaining program funding after foundation
grants have been spent.
Pain at the pump redux
Topics: Communications
We wanted to bring you up to date about the discussion that has been
taking place on our blog about the effect of rising fuel prices on
nonprofit organizations, and let you know where things stand. (We posed
a question last month on our blog.)
Pain at the pump?
Topics: Communications
We're wondering how rising fuel prices are affecting the nonprofits
we serve? There is a lot of media coverage about the effect on
consumers and businesses, but little public discussion about how the
recent rapidly rising prices are affecting nonprofit organizations.
We're hoping you will take a moment to share with us specific examples
of effects on your organization and its work. Has your organization
made any changes as a result?
