SCG Annual Conference and Members' Meeting
November 9, 2009
Breakout
Bridging the Engagement Gap: What Can California Foundations Do?
Presenter: Mark Sedway
Director, Philanthropy Awareness Initiative (PAI)
Only 11% of engaged Americans can give an example of a foundation's impact on an issue they care about. Only four in ten can name a foundation on the first try. These and other data points signal a deep-awareness-deficit facing foundations, on that threatens foundations of all kinds with serious political consequences as well as missed opportunities for programmatic partnership.
This interactive session examined the latest data on perceptions of foundations and included a brainstorming session to explore implications and promising solutions. What is causing the gap, particularly among the public and key influencers? What can California foundations do, individually and collectively, to improve communication and outreach practices?
Participants' ideas helped inform PAI's continuing research and future partnership activities with SCG and the field at large.
About the Presenter
Mark Sedway
Director, Philanthropy Awareness Initiative
Mark Sedway directs the Philanthropy Awareness Initiative (PAI), a project initiated and supported by the Packard, Gates, Hewlett, Irvine and Robert Wood Johnson foundations to engage more influential Americans in the work of organized philanthropy. He also runs Sedway Associates, a consulting practice that helps foundations and philanthropic organizations use communications to achieve greater impact. Previously Sedway served The James Irvine Foundation as its first director of communications. He also worked for the public affairs firm Kamer-Singer & Associates, wrote for various nonprofit organizations and directed projects for the civil liberties group, People for the American Way. Sedway has written reports, made presentations and conducted trainings for a variety of audiences in the philanthropy world.
Presentation by Mark Sedway
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