In grant making, is there such a thing as the good goodbye? Yes, say contributors to this guide, who have found ways to plan for exits up front, clarify expectations with grantee organizations, and overcome the tensions that so often arise. Learn how to use the end of a funding relationship to boost a grantee’s capacity, find new sources of support, and even multiply the value of the foundation’s investment.
Arts Help States Reap Rural Economic Gains
From Southern Appalachia to the Mississippi Delta and from California’s coast to Maryland’s eastern shore, states are turning to arts-based economic development strategies to revive rural economies stung by geographic isolation, infrastructure deficiencies and the flight of skilled workers to big cities, according to an issue brief from the National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center). Incorporating the arts into states’ existing rural economic development policy helps not only to diversify rural economies but to provide these previously struggling communities with a competitive advantage in the 21st century’s global marketplace as well. The brief, Strengthening Rural Economies through the Arts, documents how states utilize a variety of arts-focused policies to create jobs and improve quality of life. This is one of a series of issue briefs on the economic importance of the arts.
The Role of the Arts in Economic Development
The $37 billion nonprofit arts industry is a potent force in economic development nationwide, according to an issue brief released by the National Governors’ Association (NGA). Blending summaries of economic impact studies, federal and state statistics and best practices, the policy brief details how governors and other state leaders can use the arts to unite communities, create economic opportunity and improve the quality of life. This report on the arts was prepared by the NGA’s Center for Best Practices, whose role is to provide governors with innovative ideas and examples of excellence in state government. This is one of a series of issue briefs on the economic importance of the arts.
2013 Millennial Impact Report
Since 2009, the Millennial Impact Report has uncovered comprehensive data that reveals this rising generation is eager to connect, get involved, and give to causes they’re passionate about. And over that time, we’ve zeroed in on the Millennial behaviors of greatest interest to nonprofits-first their trends in giving, then in service, and now in communication.
Enter the 2013 Millennial Impact Report, which reveals that Millennials aren’t interested in structures, institutions, and organizations, but rather in the people they help and the issues they support. The key for nonprofits, therefore, is to build a comprehensive Millennial engagement platform that invites them to participate in the cause and maximize their involvement.
State Efforts to Promote Reading and Literary Activities in Communities
At a time when the demand for highly literate workers is escalating, rates of literary reading in America are suffering from sharp declines. This issue brief from the National Governors’ Association Center for Best Practices finds states across the country are actively working to increase reading and participation in literary activities. States have recognized that engaging citizens in these activities yields multiple benefits, such as promoting lifelong learning to improve workforce skills and increasing civic engagement and community identity. The brief, State Efforts to Promote Reading and Literary Activities, provides a variety of policies and programs states can use to enhance the individual and community benefits of reading. This is one of a series of issue briefs on the economic importance of the arts.
This most recent survey shows an increase in business support for the arts, bringing us back to near 2006 levels. however, there is still more work to be done. In 2012, we launched the pARTnership Movement (www.pARTnershipMovement.org) to provide businesses and arts organizations with the tools they need to create meaningful partnerships that support a healthy, creative, and artistic community, but that also give businesses a competitive advantage. The pArtnership Movement demonstrates how the arts can help businesses enhance the critical thinking and creative skills of their workforce and how arts organizations can develop new, innovative business strategies. Together, they can advance the communities in which they live and work in new and resourceful ways.
