It has become increasingly clear that nonprofit funding strategies and financial sustainability are central to creating a vibrant and effective sector. Yet our understanding about these issues is far less sophisticated than our understanding of programs. In particular, conventional wisdom about the wisdom in funding diversification for nonprofits has not always served us well. Participants will hear key insights from Bridgespan's recent research on ten funding models that have most commonly supported successful nonprofit organizations and explore how those models might apply to their grantees' work.

The for-profit sector has a set of sophisticated financial instruments that have proven outcomes -- not so in the nonprofit sector. While the nonprofit sector has grown increasingly sophisticated in many dimensions of organizational effectiveness, the financial tools for managing operations, sustainability and growth have lagged behind. This is beginning to change. Grantmakers in search of best practices seek answers to basic questions: What is the right type of money to provide grantees in specific situations? How can funders support the long-term sustainability of their grantees? This workshop, based on GEO's "On the Money" publication, offers an opportunity for grantmakers to reflect with colleagues about how to do a better job supporting nonprofit success. Session content will focus on key financial challenges nonprofits face, promising financial tools grantmakers are using, and changes grantmakers can make to better support grantees. (Pre-session. Advance registration required.)

Leaders in philanthropy often engage in behaviors that can either encourage or discourage effectiveness, but grantmakers can create within their foundations the preconditions for success. How can grantmakers remain attuned to the needs of those they seek to serve? How do they avoid insularity and arrogance, and hold themselves accountable? This session will gather a small panel of CEOs to share their ideas and strategies - as well as challenges and obstacles - to fostering a culture that leads to effective philanthropy.

The UK-based Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organizations led a hugely successful campaign to encourage UK funders to fully pay for the cost of nonprofit services. Participants in this session will learn about ACEVO's campaign and will explore how the US nonprofit sector might be able to leverage ACEVO's success. Questions participants will discuss include the following: Is full-cost recovery the right approach for all grantmakers? What barriers need to be overcome among grantmakers? What role can grantmakers play in helping nonprofits better understand how to allocate their costs? How would the UK experience translate to the US nonprofit sector?

Local grantmakers have played a vital role in helping remake this former steel town into a growing hub of economic, social and cultural activity. More jobs are available now than before, poverty rates have dropped and the environment is cleaner. Prominent foundations in the area have made deep investments and forged private/public partnerships for protecting the city's natural environment, in particular its rivers. Hear from leaders of these foundations about how they have turned their visions for Pittsburgh into reality through their grantmaking.