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about the American Dream … book circles and a talk

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Tuesday, September 18th, 2018

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I want to believe in the American Dream. I want to embrace the idea that with hard work and diligence, and a little help from others, we can all succeed and thrive. I want to stand behind the idea that wherever you are from, you can come here and you will have a chance to live a good life. I want us all to embrace that idea, and that reality.

And in parts – in places – it remains true. Unfortunately, in too many places and communities it’s just not the case. Robert Putnam’s book Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis is the best description of the fraying of that dream that I’ve ever read. I grew up not far from where Putnam grew up, in an Ohio that was an industrial power. Even twenty years after he grew up in the 1950s, the industrial heart of Ohio was still real. The jobs were real, the communities

Robert D. Putnam

were strong, the opportunities existed.

But where his classmates and mine could get good jobs in factori

es, those jobs no longer exist. Where his classmates and mine were embraced by a community and provided opportunities to learn and grow, to participate in activities and build their futures, it’s just that much harder now.

Many things led to this change. His book – Our Kids – talks about them, and tells the stories of families in America today, and what they are doing to strive for opportunity. In his books he tells about families in Port Clinton, Ohio; Bend, Oregon; Atlanta, Georgia; Orange County, California; and Philadelphia. He talks about families, parenting, schools, jobs, race, and religion.

It’s an important book, and worth reading. And we are giving away copies of the book. Thanks to the Delaware Humanities Council, we have 500 copies of the book to give to folks who want to host their own book groups. It’s one of the most important books I’ve read in recent years, and I urge you to check it out. Sign up – and get up to 10 copies for your book group. You can find out how here.

And then, once you’ve read it and discussed the book, come hear Dr. Putnam talk about the book and what he’s been thinking about since he wrote it. On November 14, we are hosting his presentation at the Baby Grand in Wilmington. Click here to get a ticket.

At the DCF, we believe that opportunity for all enhances the common good. Join us in a book group. Join us at the event. Let’s double-down on the American dream.

Field of Interest Funds: Hitting the Target, Now and Forever

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Friday, August 10th, 2018

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Here is another post about working with DCF, and why it can be a great way to achieve charitable goals…this one describes the Field of Interest fund.

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We all have passions that drive us, that occupy a space in our heart and motivate us to improve the world. One way to address those passions – and invest in our community’s future – is through the Field of Interest Fund. These funds are designed by the donor to focus gifts in an area that is important to them, such as protecting the environment, supporting educational advances, or expanding access to the arts. And then, instruct the DCF board and staff to make sure good grants are made on that issue now and in the future.

It’s a way to narrow philanthropic giving, but keep your donation flexible enough to meet the changing needs of the community. The fund type allows for long-term community impact on issues that matter, while providing immediate benefit for the donor in the form of a tax deduction at the time the gift is made.

Think of it as hitting the target without having to nail the bullseye.

Here’s how it works:

1. Donors identify an area of personal interest, as broad or narrow as desired. (DCF staff can help narrow the focus if you wish). For example, the Jonathan Moyed CARE Fund, established at the DCF in 2001, is focused on innovative and creative ways to provide/support long term health programs for Delawareans. The DCF researches the organizations doing effective work in this important area and awards grants to make the greatest impact possible. Over the years, Moyed CARE fund has supported the Mary Campbell Center, Ingleside Homes, Nanticoke Health Services and other important organizations.

2. Donors create the endowed fund at DCF with a gift of cash, securities, or other property worth $15,000 or more. That gift becomes a permanent source of community funding, targeting the donor’s area of interest. Donors can add more funds at any time.

3. The DCF board awards grants to community organizations and programs that are making a difference in the selected area of interest. All the while, DCF handles the administrative requirements for the fund, including managing the fund assets and overseeing the fund’s investment.

There’s a lot of great work being done in philanthropy today. A field of interest fund is a great way to not only protect and promote the issues you care about, but also to ensure they get the support they need in the future.

It’s hitting the target — even from far away.

The Kids are alright…next generation leadership and the DCF Youth Philanthropy Boards

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018

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One of the challenges of every generation is to ensure that succeeding generations are prepared to lead. Whether in our families, our schools, our workplaces, or in community groups, we should all be attentive to inspiring and encouraging new leadership.

At the DCF, one way to watch that work in action is our Youth Philanthropy Boards. And if you’ve ever bemoaned the lack of responsibility and leadership in the “next” generation, these students will make you change your mind.

Each year, DCF invites a student from every high school in the state to participate in YPB in their respective counties. With light touch guidance from DCF staff and volunteer mentors, the youth are in charge.

Each year, these students walk into a room of strangers and begin a process that starts with identifying critical issues, moves on to picking an issue for a grant program, building a grant application form, reviewing applicants, conducting site visits, and then awarding grants – $10,000 each in Kent and Sussex Counties, and $15,000 in New Castle.

From beginning to end, the leadership of the students is inspiring.

It starts with the topics they choose. They don’t flinch at hard topics, but zero in on the needs of modern society.

This year, those topics included mental health and substance abuse counseling (Sussex YPB); support services for at-risk youth, with a preference for programs focusing on substance abuse and/or mental health issues (Kent YPB); and assistance for families or friends after the loss of a loved one through substance abuse, suicide or other tragic circumstances (New Castle YPB).

Site visits are organized and attended by the students.

The decisions about who gets the money are theirs. (Awardees this year included LaRed, Children and Families First and Urban Promise. Check our news release page to see details.)

And the awards program is run by the students.

It’s wonderful stuff.

The YPB program is a great example of how – by giving responsibility and a cause, with some mentoring and assistance, to young people – we can watch next generation leadership develop. Here is an excerpt from comments shared by New Castle YPBer Alivia Scott at the awards ceremony in April.

I am so proud of the work we have been able to do through the YPB and the amazing opportunity it has been itself. It has inspired me to be involved and knowledgeable about issues in our area, to volunteer and make my time worthwhile, and has opened my eyes to those in difficult situations.

Talking with the students up and down the state, the comments were the same. “I thought the adults would tell us what to do, but we were in charge.” “This wasn’t easy.” “We were given the responsibility and we took it.” “I didn’t know that I could do this.” “This was a tremendous learning opportunity.”

This year represented the 19th year of the program. And over that time, the YPB groups have awarded over $480,000 in grants. (Foreshadowing: the 20th year of YPB will take them over half a million in grants!) Scores of nonprofits have received much needed support.

Most importantly, scores of young people have strengthened their leadership skills, and built belief in themselves to make a difference in the world.

Inspiration

Posted by Stuart Comstock-Gay

· Friday, February 9th, 2018

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I hardly know where to begin.

For the first time ever, community foundations from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico held a summit in Mexico City last week – to discuss common concerns and strategies, and how we can work together. My mind is overflowing with inspiration ideas, questions and plans.

Following are three projects which have fired my imagination.

Community Foundations are all about improving quality of life, equity, social capital, and strengthening our social fabric, our “connectedness.” That means addressing many different issues and how they’re interrelated. In 2015, the United Nations created a framework called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to help us think and talk about those big goals – and the smaller goals to help us achieve the big ones. Importantly, the goals were developed in an inclusive process, engaging hundreds of thousands of people across the world.

The result is a set of 17 specific, measurable goals, with 169 identifiable and achievable targets, in areas such as poverty, hunger, gender equality, health, energy, climate change, and equality.

Sixty-four countries are already voluntarily reporting their progress; over 9,500 companies are signatories on a compact, pledging commitment to the SDGs; more than 65 mayors have agreed to implement them. The goals haven’t taken root in Delaware yet, but the framework – while massive – can provide a valuable touchstone for the work many of us engage in. Many community foundations around the globe have adopted one or another of the goals to guide their work.

And here’s amazing very cool way to start. The Foundation Center’s Indicator Wizard allows us to enter our goals – the things we’re working on here in Delaware – and it will identify which of the SDGs we fit in – and what the global targets are. Check it out.

Mapping the Latino and Hispanic communities in our region. The Boston Foundation, working in collaboration with a new initiative of CFLeads, (funded by the Inter-American Foundation and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation), has developed a powerful map of the Latino community in their region. Where is their Latino population from? What countries and cities? What kind of work are the communities involved in, what education levels, what needs?

The results are inspiring new projects, new funds, and new focus areas for that foundation.

The mapping itself is a model we are going to look at here in Delaware as we begin to focus in on the needs and interests of our own fast-growing Latino community.

Finally… On the Table. I’ve been terribly impressed by these community conversation “On the Table” projects – which have been organized by community foundations in dozens of cities across the U.S. The model – citizens hosting discussions about whatever matters – is deeply important. It re-introduces the idea that all of our voices matter, and the fundamental concept that talking with each other will help us become community again. The project in Chicago is most impressive. Last May almost 100,000 Chicago-area folks participated through social media, at workshops, or mealtime conversations. Philadelphia held their first on the table last spring, at which over 150 host locations brought people together. I hope we’ll be able to share more about this idea in the future. (If you’re interested in thinking about this, too, let me know.)

There are endless opportunities for good work, and boundless good ideas, and we’re keeping our eyes open for projects that will help us sharpen our DelawareFocus indicators website, and make a difference in the state. These three are certainly in the discussion.

Let the 2016 Delaware Focus Report Tell You a Story

Posted by Allison Levine

· Wednesday, December 21st, 2016

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The newly released 2016 Delaware Focus Report is an overview of quality of life in our state, based on detailed community indicators at DelawareFocus.org.

I’m bullish on Delaware’s future.

There’s an excitement in the air – with new folks joining the state’s political leadership, new leaders at a number of organizations, and great challenges that demand focused attention. True, the challenges are significant, but that merely means the opportunities are significant, too.

Delaware is a state with much prosperity. The newly updated data in the DCF’s 2016 Delaware Focus Report is clear on that point. The state’s economy is generally positive, housing prices are good, environmental quality is strong, our cultural community is robust.

And yet, disparity in the state remains a significant challenge. Too many families, neighborhoods and communities are struggling with employment and housing. Too many people struggle to make ends meet.

The 2016 Delaware Focus Report – released in late November – tells a compelling story of overall prosperity and underlying poverty.

We should all be pleased that the state’s median household income of $60,000 is higher than the nation’s, and poverty is at 12 percent here — significantly lower than the national average. It’s a good thing that the number of jobs is growing in multiple industries, and we can celebrate the growing diversity of our population. These things are important.

It’s also important for those of us enjoying this prosperity to remain mindful of those who are not. While some industries are growing, others are declining and eliminating jobs. While poverty is low overall, it is concentrated in geographic pockets in each county, and particularly pervasive among minority communities and children.

This is our story in Delaware. Some might say it’s a tale of two states. From my perspective that’s exactly the wrong way to look at it. Because Delaware is one state. Some things are going great. Some are not. Our opportunity is to make sure the things that are going well keep going well, and that we simultaneously address the things that need attention.

That means we continue to support our arts and culture programs, and our generally good environmental picture. It also means we need to find good solutions for the unemployment, poverty and crime that is seemingly endemic in some areas.

Take a look at the report – and let us know what you think by contacting our new Community Engagement team at DelawareFocus@delcf.org.

And speaking of expanded leadership, we’ve expanded our DCF team to address these opportunities. Our Community Engagement team will be led by Rick Deadwyler. When he joins us on January 3, Rick will help us think about how to address these challenges of disparity and lack of opportunity, and to identify ways to combine the resources of the DCF and our fundholders with those of other foundations, nonprofits, and businesses, so we can work together as a community to keep Delaware great, and make it better.

As always, thanks for being part of this work to make Delaware a place where everyone can enjoy prosperity and opportunity. Happy holidays, and happy new year to all. On to 2017!

DCF Announces Expanding Role in Civic Leadership & Community Knowledge

Posted by Allison Levine

· Tuesday, February 10th, 2015

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Marilyn Hayward The Delaware Community Foundation is expanding its mission to increase its statewide impact by playing a greater role in civic leadership and community knowledge, starting with the development of a data-based community profile.

Gov. Jack Markell joined DCF leadership Tuesday to announce that the organization plans to work with community leaders to build a statewide, data-driven civic agenda. The DCF will then facilitate partnerships and strategic initiatives that align the community’s resources in pursuing that agenda.

“We want to help our community develop a shared vision for Delaware’s future, and then rally the partnerships that can address issues at their roots, rather than just responding to the symptoms,” DCF President & CEO Fred Sears said.

Since its establishment in 1986, the DCF has been helping address community needs by managing charitable funds and scholarships and making grants throughout the state. While this work will continue, Sears said, the DCF is “stepping up” because the community needs greater teamwork from the many public- and private-sector initiatives to improve quality of life.

As the first step on this new path, the DCF will launch the state’s first comprehensive community evaluation tool in the form of a publicly accessible website this year. The site will host a database of statistical information and narrative about various social, economic and environmental issues (known as “indicators”), both statewide and by county.

“To build a unified vision, we need accurate and broad-based information about our community’s most pressing needs and most promising opportunities,” said Marilyn Rushworth Hayward, chair of the DCF’s Board of Directors. “That’s why our first step is to become a dynamic and transparent resource for data, knowledge and insight about the wide variety of social, economic and environmental issues affecting quality of life in Delaware.”

By the end of 2015, the DCF also will issue an analysis of the data, outlining the insights provided and the trends revealed. The report will be updated annually, and the online data will be updated more frequently to allow for continual monitoring of the community’s evolving needs.

“The data may validate some of our perceptions of issues in communities around the state, and it may reveal issues we aren’t aware of,” Sears said. “Whatever it shows, we’ll be able to use the data to evaluate where we are now and monitor the impact of our work going forward.”

As a permanent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, the DCF will be able to objectively highlight community needs and work for the benefit of Delawareans, without the hindrance of politics or special interests, Gov. Markell said.

“As I said in my State of the State, Delaware is making great progress, but our rapidly changing economy poses significant challenges,” said Governor Markell. “We must understand and respond appropriately to those challenges to ensure Delawareans are able to prosper in a new era. As a respected, capable, nonpartisan statewide institution, DCF has an important role to play in bringing people together to meet our communities’ present and future needs. By undertaking this project, driven by data and research, the Foundation will help provide an objective view of our challenges and contribute to implementing solutions.”

While this is a new model for the DCF, community foundations around the country are using similar approaches to identify and address needs in their communities. In other regions, community profile projects have driven neighborhood-based initiatives to green their cities, foster entrepreneurialism, increase civic engagement and much more.

To build the database, the DCF is contracting with the Center for Governmental Research, a Rochester, N.Y.-based nonprofit that specializes in helping communities and organizations use data to evaluate and address needs. CGR has an excellent record of successfully supporting numerous other foundations and organizations in similar endeavors.

In the coming months and years, the DCF plans to develop formal partnerships with local organizations to analyze, share and use the data, in combination with the DCF’s unique expertise and insight into Delaware.

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