Great Grant Giveaway Community Conversations

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Great Grant Giveaway Community Conversations

Community Conversations Feedback

Earlier this year the Foundation announced the pause of the Great Grant Giveaway to embark on a transformative journey to reimagine and reshape the mission of the event for the next 10 years and beyond.

Between March and June, the Foundation hosted seven Community Conversations to gather insights and input to shape the next iteration of the Great Grant Giveaway. Participants in these conversations included donors, nonprofit partners, past Great Grant Giveaway recipients, corporate partners, and community members. We’re grateful to our facilitators at Prospera Partners for their support during this phase of the reimagination process.

Participant Demographics

A total of 257 individuals signed up to engage in our Community Conversations. Of those individuals who engaged with us:

10.3% identified as Community Members
17.9% identified as Donors
71.8% identified as Nonprofits

43% of conversation participants had attended a Great Grant Giveaway in the past and 57% had never attended the event.

For the percentage of participants who had attended Great Grant Giveaway:

41% had attended 1 time
44% had attended 2-4 times
10% had attended 5-7 times
4% had attended 8-10 times

Participant Responses & Feedback

During the Community Conversations, participants were invited to answer three key questions:

What could an ACF event look and feel like that centers and celebrates the greater Albuquerque community and nonprofits?
What does an event look and feel like that creates authentic relationships between nonprofits and donors?
What role should ACF play in connecting community, nonprofits, and donors?

The unedited responses from conversation participants are available below.

If you would like to share any additional feedback, our Great Grant Giveaway Community Conversation Survey will remain open through Wednesday, August 21.

TAKE SURVEY

What could an ACF event look and feel like that centers and celebrates the greater Albuquerque community and nonprofits?

I'd like to see an event that does not put nonprofits against each other, rather celebrates all nonprofits and gives them the opportunity to meet donors
All - culture inclusive event, with activities for children and young kids. area for nonprofits to table their organization services. Outside at the conference center. With food.
I think an event such as this could serve as a platform and connection between donors, funders, and the nonprofits.
Involving the community and not just professionals and organizations would be a big plus.
Maybe give ABQ residents the chance to attend an event where they learn about orgs.
I was also going to say something about having an event where nonprofit organizations can set up a table / displays about what they do that can be a community networking event.
An event that is focused on community members, perhaps highlighting success stories from nonprofit organizations.
Something that invites participation that isn't directly tied to normal scopes of work, to Level Playing Field for participation.
Are multiple smaller events possible that groups feel warmer with more possibility for connection and conversation?
Creating a comprehensive and engaging Community Foundation event would involve careful planning, strong community engagement, and a clear focus on showcasing
Nominations for awards could come from other nonprofits (peer nominated) or from funding organizations.
Event that highlights positive impact and creativity that comes from collaboration among nonprofit organizations
Open and transparent nonprofit selection process - how is a non-profit invited and what is the criteria?
Shared input from all nonprofits
Have it feel less like nonprofit hunger games.
ACF highlighted nonprofits, but how did the nonprofits get picked, why were certain ones included in others never chosen?
Celebration of the cultural and historical diversity of central New Mexico and a celebration of the peoples who reside here.
Provide more opportunity for nonprofits to collaborate and network between staff.
- The OG Grant giveaway was a high energy event that engaged funders and donors, highlighted the work of smaller npos, and provided a solid pool of funding for growth.
- With that being said, I wonder what else could be done to engage funders and donors with the npos after the event.
- Is the goal for npos participating in the GGG to get their money and get out? or should it be an opportunity?

Energy in the room was great and exciting how to recreate that but be more inclusive and transparent
Future fund started picking their grantees by areas of interest such as health, education, children, etc. so it wasn't just a favorite / I know someone in that org but about impact
More opportunity for nonprofits constituent engagement versus just nonprofit staff
I like the idea of a nonprofit quote Fair quote for the entire Community where nonprofits could share their information with the community - invite everyone in the community to attend.
Plan.
Form a non-profit alliance. All GGG recipients could be inducted into the alliance. The npo alliance could become a powerful space for npos to support each other.
A truly impactful GGG could bring small and POs to the Forefront of the community, provide sustainability funds, and keep the npos connected with the community after the event.
Large community events are costly in dollars, time and staffing. What would be an opportunity that would involve many but reduce costs?
Video and other media used to promote npos
Allow participants to be involved in funding decisions
Fun, energetic
In person event
Invite legislators to attend and learn more about how npos work and what our needs are. There needs to be more strategic planning around the legislative session and support for smaller or who don't have time to Lobby during the session.
- 1a. Create a team / space / something to encourage/help/buildpartnerships among the non-profit organizations
- 1b. How can an animal welfare organization partner with the developmental disability organization and with a food pantry?
- 1c. Maybe funding projects that involve these diverse organizations to address a community issue?
- 1d. Can these very diverse organizations find common ground to partner?
Focus on more events like today’s where people can more freely share their ideas without Abq Community Foundation in the room
Transparency and how nonprofits are selected
A community selection process outside of ACF
The joy is the giving
More focus on nonprofits, honorable mention for donors
Continue to include audience participation
Lots of positive energy and celebration, great job ACF!
Pros/cons to the pageantry
Don't make it cost - prohibitive for small nonprofits / individual community members to attend
Add a mechanism for tables to give to any 501c3 as an option
The status of the operations funding for nonprofits - where are New Mexico's npos at?
Nomination process is public so any org can nominate themselves (if they fit the category?)
What informs the needs - how often is foundation informed and adjusted.
Divide all NPS into categories. focus on one category each year. have a special pot with money that goes to a nonprofit doing great work but are on a shoestring budget.
Location of event
Not a single, big dollar Grant giveaway. ongoing events to celebrate nonprofits
Introduce organizations to donors and categories - connect organizations with funding sources
Spread funding to smaller organizations that could benefit from smaller grants $10,000 grants rather than $100,000 +
Consider priorities that are not identified in ACF Grant process.
Inclusive - not an event that depends on being nominated. Which feels exclusive. Not a popularity event.
Intentionality or sustainability of funding beyond GGG
Including voices of community members who have benefited from service says to influence funding decisions
Inclusion of all generations
Represents all different cultures in albuquerque.
How does the community foundation even know what the community needs? This is the first time I have felt welcome to come in and have my perspective shared.
Expand the money of organizations present too few areas - 10 represented
Prior winners have too much influence over new winners
Need current needs of community expanded through the regular grant process.
Celebrate accomplishments small to largest
Event for donors (of advised funds to network w/ all/any nonprofit who want to attend)
More inclusion in what community encompasses.. not just donors -orgs doing the work and members of the community.
Fund orgs and specific areas to meet and recommend what to invest in in their area; then trust them and put money there.
Focus on impact more than donors or orgs or funding
How and who promotes the great Grant giveaway?
Free event or opportunity for free tickets to have more voices and representation in the room
Incorporate joy and successes as much as needs and challenges
Location in an area of more accessibility
During non-work hours
Offering more free tickets to have more voices in the room
Focusing on the community issue and celebrating all the orgs creating impact in those areas. What fields or issues will be centered? Then invite all the orgs.
Culturally relevant
Considering free for nonprofits and community members
Location feels accessible for all community members
To celebrate the nonprofit community ->
- Feature some/selected nonprofits at event -> more information and time devoted to each nonprofit
- Want to connect donors to nonprofits donors could interview nonprofits receiving funds -> show video of this
- Need a way to select Grant recipients where they are " vetted “ but does not put up big burden on non profits
Game show format with education about nonprofits and “ competition “ to avoid money
raised?
Nonprofits representation fair
Donors time respected
Moving beyond “How the game is played”
Size that's not overwhelming for ACF/nonprofits participating/donors
Game Shows
Many events for a more intimate setting with presentative structure
NPs -> Genres/Categories -> Rep -> ACF Board -> Donor
Inclusion of variety of NP ( kinds, levels, celebrate impacts)
Highlights services and program - interactive/entertainment
Touches all five of the senses
Grassroots / underrepresented
Indoor and outdoor - outside of Hotel Ballroom
Four sacred elements
Rotates (not fixed) seasonally, location
Variety - audiences - show whole ecosystem of funders, staff, participants, constituents
Fun
Help people make connections
Generational and gender showcase - look what this elder did - look what this kid did
Connect funders to their funding areas
Collaboration versus competition
Representative structure with one person repping each non-profit category committing interested donors with specific organizations
Speed dating / science fair situation
Challenge to group several organizations together that must work together to do an awesome things
ACF money - split and be given to each combined event or between
ACF using resources to fill specific needs of nonprofits
Recourses: $, People, info, connections
Specific need: literally
Touches all five senses. Interactive ( here, smell, taste, feel, spirit)
Indoor/outdoor
Microbes, pollinators, winged, finned and four legged
Four sacred elements wind, fire, water and earth
Rotating in place and season / race 4 per year
Showcasing elder/youth for inspiration gender/generation
Connections as the outcome
Funders with orgs without “ competition “ rather collaboration(s)
A fun mapping exercise of our respective missions and where we meet across sectors
Inclusive. Informal.
Interactive.
Enticing!
Videos, live product or service demo
An event that creates more connections between nonprofits and funders meeting at events.
Maybe an event that Separates different ACF topics in different rooms to help funders.
Making sure that all nonprofits are able to attend. Keep it affordable for all.
Create a scholarship fund for nonprofits that can't afford to attend
Easy ways to present standardized in a way that takes out style. money. time. etc. from the presentation.
Relationship building, focus on funders meeting nonprofits.
Vision of positive outcomes
Telethon with educational awareness to promote all ABQ NPs on PBS and KOB to get the word out.
Opportunities for all groups to present their work. Maybe booths, or a gallery walk.
I think the current format is wonderful, namely because it's an interactive experience. I would hate for that piece to go away.
ACF can help NPs with collaborations possibly have site visits to the different organizations
Transparency
There needs to be complete transparency in the selection of the nonprofits that are selected as beneficiaries.
Exercises for coalition building
More Information and transparency about the selection process.
ABQ Metro area Telethon to support all ABQ NonProfits
How can non-profits support each other?
We need to get to know each other tool
Putting nonprofits front and center
Clear and transparent process for how to get involved in the event.
Acknowledgement of funders/donors
Clear upfront communication. How does this Great Grant Giveaway apply to non-profits who are not being recognized at the event?
Nonprofit street fair or sorts
Worth an org's time
It is hard to have so many non-profits in the room for donors. Is there a speed dating approach?
Easy entry points for new and smaller donors
A place for new orgs and new ideas
Bring donors to orgs
Maybe we could focus on categories - mental health, education ...
Clears ways for inclusion for more orgs
See who Is behind the curtain In the grantmaking process
No dog and pony shows
Street fair/ farmer's market type of event open to the comm.
Broader invitation for orgs that does not create an in group/ out group dynamic
Visible connection between grant recipients and funders
Facilitate collaboration
Transparency
Accessible - interpretation (ASL. Spanish language, CART), virtual component.
Community care through clean air/covid precautions
Standardized way of presenting information. We don't want this to be a heavy lift for smaller organizations. We also don't want personalities to influence donors.
Funding non-profits is competitive. Should we break down organizations by size or annual budgets...?
We need a way for non-profits to capture the Information of interested donors to follow up with these initial touch points as they may be potential future partners/donors.
Create "booth" opportunities for nonprofits not selected as a beneficiary during the event.
Theme of topic area from year to year?
Having a specific theme from year to year? (theme of community needs/program areas)
Make meetings less susceptible to chance, more data-based
Agree on the theme point. Especially if it is in the form of a focus(es) that ACF wants to emphasize that year Competing against other community partners
Do people submit their proposals in advance,or do people (voters) hear them the first time at the event?
Speed dating type model? Is there a way to create a space for learning about each other
(NPs + donors) in a more personal manner
Showcase all Albuquerque nonprofits in good standing. This gives a better idea of the
nonprofit community in Albuquerque and how these non profits contribute to the city.
I would like to see the previous recipients get invited to the future GGG.
Good community event
Give groups the same and don't make us] compete
In some case awards were all ready set - some kind of miss steps in past years
Language used was good
Good to meet peers and others from the community
Working with professionals to make a video was a real positive for the organizations Equity issues - even the playing field for all orgs.
More personal way to share work and meet funders
Advertise more to larger communityMore relationship building for community with resources and community organizations for
Long term relationships
- Held in rotating community setting. What IS the overall grant award cycle over the year? Create opportunities for conversation and connection.
- Invitees include past donors and past charitable recipients
- Invited non-profits prepare simple posterboards/handouts about what they have done/will do with ACF support. Attendees have an hour to walk around and visit w / charities in community setting, non-paid tables so it's open for more to attend.
- More ACF grants are given in smaller amounts to supplement charity needs that are not met in other ways. moving away from flashiness of organization, and into information on data and impact

Perhaps not an annual big blowout event, but a monthly or quarterly opportunity for deeper
relationship building between donors and NPs
I'd like to see an indigenous land acknowledgement and performance of some sort Having the event rotating at different nonprofits
Have tables for the potential recipients to present their information on the work they are doing.
It would be wonderful for the attendees to get a wide exposure to the various nonprofits throughout the area.
Events that promote unrestrictive funding so 501c3 can use the funds to pay staff living wages whilst promoting their mission are needed.
Having never been to an ACF event, I prefer events that are all inclusive but are geared toward disadvantaged communities.
How are they selected/Invited to attend?
Like the ceremony part and sharing with community
Was awkward to stand by your sign and have people put their money in
I think it would be great for nonprofits to present and vie for funds right at the event, giving the attendees real skin in the game for who is awarded.
I'd like to see the event advertise/list all the nonprofits that the ACF touches
Panel discussions from groups that work in similar fields
Continue prioritizing offering general operating dollars to nonprofits
Facilitate relationship building between nonprofits doing similar work, and also
With donors/ community members to help understand the work
Modify how non-profits are selected.
Can more NPs get funding rather than just a few
Video highlight reels last year where good
From the donor perspective - would like to see how the NPs are working together, what is the work being done, how does it work, what is successful, where are needs
Are the award winners predetermined prior to the lunch? Or is it done by a vote at the lunch? Makes a huge difference in our comments.
Increase the diverse pool of non-profit organizations.
How does the lunch/fund raiser fit into the ACF annual award cycle? Is it the start? The end?If the purpose of event is primarily fundraising, approach of spending that much money on event seems off; or is purpose educational; recommendation to clarify purpose
Is it possible to have breakout rooms that speak to each of the categories that are being awarded? But still have everyone participating together.
We heard in our group that non-profits walked away with over $100K of unrestricted dollars, can the pool be opened to allow for more non-profits to benefit.
Poster boards, like at a conference setting for donors to walk around and learn more throughout the event
Use power of ACF to convene and advocate for streamlining of processes/funding/needs of
community organizations
Smaller NP should be the attention of CCC, not the organizations with larger budgets.
I've not attended In the past, do the non-profits purchase a table and what's the cost?
Picking a community problem, and focusing on multiple groups that address that problem from multiple perspectives (perhaps this is tied into the monthly or quarterly deep dives)
Speed “ dating “ style introduction to nonprofits
Networking / generate ideas for collaboration among nonprofits
Venue for more intimate conversations
Can attendees be intentionally placed to network with npos to increase value of attending event outside of grants?
Could registrations / attendees be randomly selected to represent greater ABQ Community to avoid inequity?
Should not be openly competitive
Highlight work of direct service staff
Accessible cost
Involve direct service staff in event
Anonymous donors?
High level auction items (trips, experiences unique to ABQ)
Late night continuation (dancing, DJ, tastings)
Highlight where/how ABQ leads (rather than falls short)
Hold an event outdoors (Railyard)
Less sit-down, more interactive
“Anti-gala”
Bus tour of sites
Feedback and critique - what worked? What didn’t work?
Ensure videos are equitably produced to avoid bias, every registered NPO gets video
More opportunity to network and make connections
How might ACF offer additional benefits to registered NPOs outside of cash award?
Presenters to understand the purpose of what to present on
Presentation speakers to receive coaching on how to present preparation
Concern about a single, huge grant, as opposed to multiple orgs receiving smaller grants
Does it have to be an event?
ACF used to support smaller nonprofits, has shifted a lot since then
Site visits would be helpful!!
“Speed dating” at the event.
Look at Railyard event; sponsored by the City
Inclusive to the broadest possible community
Broadly accessible and welcoming
Consistent digital communications/Ability to participate in events digitally
Close to public transportation
Held in a welcoming space that includes indoor and outdoor settings
Reach out proactively to groups, non-profits, current and potential donors to encourage attendance
Deliberately mix donors and non-profits
Accessible to people with mobility struggles
Consider scholarships as needed
Consider including the cost of the event as a gift to major donors to encourage attendance
Hold the event in a large venue with good parking
Family friendly, worker friendly, could include small businesses, who want to donate/sponsor -
Consider children, child-care needs, translators
Create opportunities for neighborhood groups to participate
Move away from the gamification of the distribution of resources and the elements of a popularity contest where only some in the room have the power to decide - rather, create a gathering that honors the value and time of all participants (this doesn't banish playfulness - just the winner/non-winner dynamic)
Could be a celebration of the region’s rich culture, diverse communities, and local talents
Treasure hunt of some kind where individuals are challenged to “find” resource to meet specific need
ID groups that have common values, thread, goals
Have enough physical space for all attendees to access comfortably. Not super noisy.
Educational
Fun
Results
Collaborative * Mingle
Synergistic
Succinct
Educational: Process for selection
Past results
Participation
Past event included 20 nonprofits, in NM there are thousands
Conventions - vendors - show the products
Education, Fun, See/talk to other nonprofits and donors
Existing - carnival - fun
Active - sensory overload
Momentum to open giving attitude
Exiled tables - past GGG
Exclusive club - past GGG

What does an event look and feel like that creates authentic relationships between nonprofits and donors?

Events that create opportunities for meaningful interactions instead of small talk and networking seem to create the most authentic connections.
Visuals that show the nonprofit's mission, values, goals - with the people that are supported. For donors to see.
Show the real people impacted. Show New Mexico culture from every culture possible.
Some type of activity that flips the rules to encourage reflection about power dynamics, etc
The event could feature powerful storytelling sessions where beneficiaries or project leaders share their stories showcasing the tangible impact.
Recognizing and sharing individual stories of lives that have been touched or changed by nonprofits - so donors can see the real results of their donations.
Have panel discussion / testimonials of current nonprofit plus donor relationships and what has worked to make that relationship strong and successful
Orgs set up tables to present info sheets to donors about their programs. some may wish to go back to their boards for later review and possible follow-up based on fields of interest
Day of pitch an award may not cultivate authentic relationships, so instead just space for conversations and listening
Having non-profit beneficiary from prior year come back the next year and give their feedback / tell their story.
Opportunities to cross volunteer/nonprofit staff to serve at a different non-profit.
Have the event more celebratory, eg, by having awards and a nomination process open to all nonprofits.
Lasting ways to engage with each other in the community, all year long. The volunteer idea is one example of this.
Technical and peer support related to measuring and telling stories about impact.
Address the power and balance between nonprofits and donors.
Segment npos by mission focus, nonprofits vote for winners who are in different categories than their own so it's fair.
1a. Make it a longer term, where you put several npos that are disparate, give them a startup funding project to create a project that benefits the community. then at a later date these
1b. groups present this idea, i.e., four different groups ( disabled adults, kidney support, mid-school education and an animal shelter ) work together to come up with
1c. creative project.
Force board engagement in the process - each organization has to have multiple board members involved
Collaborative projects between non-traditionally paired organizations.
An event that creates authentic relationships between npos and donors facilitates connection after the event is over. relationships aren't formed after one date.
Lose the high energy, high pressure ambience. welcome more space for storytelling.
Low key, Coffee House feel
A more transparent application and selection process.
Allowing nonprofits to use media/visuals to highlight who they serve. large-scale visuals. Giving the npo space to host a table.
Accessible for new and emerging nonprofit organizations
Connecting donor resources with resources that nonprofits need -> nonprofits pitch their needs shows awareness of their operations and needs
Want to establish more of an opportunity for nonprofits and donors to form relationships (relationships -> funding)
ACF could direct “resources” to nonprofits that go beyond money and engage donors in this process of providing resources (resources could include expertise, a facility and equipment, volunteers)
Nonprofits answer questions and say what they need NOW -> give donors the opportunity to provide “resources”/connections match what donors have to give to nonprofit needs
Equitable recognition of donors/nonprofit / community members at event
Trust-based philanthropy
Need to build trust between donors/nonprofits by having honest conversation about what support is needed
GGG anchors/convenes smaller events with community need and resources trust/capacity building
“Funders Forum” with nonprofits providing Direct communication to what is needed to funders
One event is transactional.
Stewardship cycle after event and before.
Partner with Groundworks
Build database of digitized tours of nonprofits
Award to pay for economic impact / annual report.
Intentional time together.
What is the organization's specific needs right now? ( board members, vehicles, tech ) -> resource fair
Is an event enough? What is an organization's real needs? Communicate that.
Set funds aside to give to those non-profits that don't win, that they can use to write an annual report / video.
No voting. No competition at the event.
Focus on smaller, ongoing grants
Site visits or more in- depth understanding of organizations
Connect donors with organizations that have a mission that donors care about
Not an event - multiple events or divide participation among different interest areas
Shared buy-in and funding power -> power dynamic of funder vs. benefitting organization
Ongoing or recurring conversations - authentic relationships aren't built through one or infrequent interactions
Connecting community and/or individual donors with causes and organizations they care about in order to make recurring sustainable contributions ( donations/funding )
Authentic relationships require more than an event. Events are performative. Invite and fund communities of practice to collaborate instead of compete.
Authentic relationships are built with time, are ongoing, and are reciprocal. Perhaps no titles at the events. Not one time!
If ACF wants to build trust with community, then they should not do the Great Grant Giveaway after reading all of this feedback.
Consider ACF making site visits, sitting on boards.. building Community with community partners!
Authentic relationships mean connections between people who care about similar issues and one just happens to have a donation to give
A chance for continued connection after the event - volunteering, more donations, etc.
Exposure and long-term “ intimate “ relationship.
Presentations with opportunity for breakout rooms to go further in depth
Randomizing a way for donors to interact with nonprofits and small groups or presentation
Some sort of quote sponsorship quote for donors/organizations can invite and introduce to others at the event.
Sharing info both ways
Help connect - funding focus areas and interest
Equal playing field - small fish versus big fish
Communicate about expectations and goals and purpose
Include education on small orgs versus large orgs
Equitable for smaller grassroots
Meet and greet for relationship Building without funding expectation
Act as matchmaking
Work backwards - start with non-profit then go to funders
Actually meet the donors and vice versa the organizations
Speed round networking
Funding Festival - separate sectionally by mission focus-connect donor interest with nonprofits
Do two annually (inclusive of everyone)
Under 500k
Over 500k
Be “crisp” in potential mutual “likes” in advance
Education both perspective(s) w/ needs/resources
ABQ community act as a catalytic “matchmaker”
Leveraged resource(s) as a top priority
Build relationships w/o resources on the table
“Authentic” what does it mean?
Lots of time for, networking/discussion among attendees.
Co-sign the speed dating idea!
Informal gatherings without the pressure of giving or asking for funding
Site visits
Maybe like a speed dating where there are chances to get to know one another and make or receive ANONYMOUS personalized grants.
Opportunity for smaller nonprofit organizations to promote their work through a booth or other setup?
Smaller events with similar interests between donors and non-profit organizations.
Time together in smaller groups to connect
If nonprofit has existing donors at the event, how do we foster authentic relationships.
Allowing opportunities for all organizations to have face time and introductions to donors and funders.
Possibly having an ACF ambassador to help facilitate?
ACF Cafe's are wonderful when you bring in connections for networking! This is an opportunity for authentic relationship building.
Mini-events! Like this reduce the power dynamics
Thanks again facilitating connections
Thanks for thinking outside the "sticky" and getting us together today.
Flip the power dynamic where donors share their values and why they are donors so that orgs know how/who to talk to.
A space where orgs don't have to walk on eggshells - fearing that the donors do not align with the mission
Like United Way's Women United - work with them to coordinate site visits
Learn the values of the donors
Ensure that new and underrepresented parts of our community have access to relationship building
Build relationship beyond the "event” , the work before and after
Connect donors to nonprofits donor and nonprofit dating app
Model it after NM Funders Collaborative - grant with Zoom meeting and/video -- or like ABQ Involved! Great way for donors to meet nonprofits and learn more about missions
Need donors and ACF to see what we are doing In the community (site visits)
Making video and sharing voting community with celebration and results
Separate tables for nonprofits. Speed dating type of event so donors can learn about the nonprofits.
But also information given out prior to the event.
Build relationships and create a greater awareness of the work ACF is doing and the work the nonprofits are doing.
Relationships need to be intertwined with selection of the grants--and if specific donor money is used, it needs to ensure that the awards fit the donor's conditions for that $$
How are non-profits chosen to receive funding and be invited to participate?
Opportunities for mentorship with donor and organization
Identifying needs for organization
Authenticity of a relationship takes time. One event is a daunting timeframe for authentic.
Perhaps a series of events, culminating in a final event with the awards.
"Authentic relationships" do not happen in 1 meeting.
The event should be the culmination of conversations, discussions that build to a relationship.
Share services, such as accounting or web design or printing
Donors need to provide opportunities to allow the non-profits to showcase their work (site visits) at both locations.
Transformational relationships after the event
Activities would be more impactful than just eating lunch or listening to a presentation.
Other groups helping ACF to highlight other groups too ACF commitment to finding the groups that are not being highlighted
Transformational not transactional relationships
Incentives for relationship building between non-profits and donors.
Non-profits want to build relationships and not just provide a written report to donors.
It would be interesting for nonprofits to give tours of their organizations to allow potential donors to really understand what they do. There a lot of organizations claiming what they do on paper
Activity Giving thought to Days ... hands on engagement of younger donors ...
Is engagement there an opportunity to work with schools with both NPs getting them aware of and donors NPs, - expands to career ideas, mentors, resources, etc
It can be hard to create authentic relationships
Perhaps having a topic single event, so could "tables” at a monthly
Look at creating event for NPs who have opportunities to address those issues leading some additional connection conversation and going forward donors selecting tables to sit at and learn more.
Using resources to uplift smaller nonprofits that may not traditionally be Included In big grants/events/etc.
Tied to the school engagement note - perhaps getting a classroom "sponsor•- tied to activity involvement in a project or NP how are we representing NPs of all sizes (smaller NPs and those with larger budgets) ... both need resources, and have different challenges, both/all valid
Tied to school Involvement - course credit for Involvement In a semester with a nonprofit
Can there be support for a paradigm shift for funders to reach out to NPs rather than NPs reach out to funders (perhaps this is supported by learning tables events)
Overall our theme is durational and authentic relationships, vs one and done event innovation, coordination, cost effectiveness. education - NP needs to be able to demonstrate these things ...
Smaller events better for this vs large events
Do we need to separate out education and fundraising to be more focused in our intentions for the event
The large flashy event feels inauthentic; smaller connected learnings, and opportunities for connections
Use Internal resources to "do the homework" and do more targeted outreach to
Nonprofit organizations site visits to orgs that are up for funding empower nonprofits to share the work of ACF so more people can be in the loop on events, education and funding
Maybe doing a two-part event. one as a get-to-know-each-0ther and the other to present the awards with a specific focus put on the types of nonprofits and donors
It is all about relationships
Connect Non-profits with other donors relationship with donor - so that they can maybe invest over time - give deep rather than shallow/spread out tables labeled more chance to relationship build
Mentoring opportunities between nonprofits and donors
Donors commit gifts before the event unrelated to purchasing tables
Food is served buffet style with opportunities for donors to visit informally (walk around) among charities at poster boards and take handouts Qualitative measures and not just quantitative
All past ACF grantees are invited to participate and receive grants of unrestricted funds of equal and smaller amounts.
Relational versus transactional
Donor follow up, not gift only
Trolley tour/studio open houses visit
Nonprofit sector open house (NP booths w/ donors, other NPs attend and NP clientele)
Seating charts ensure donors and nonprofits sit at the same table
Donors should have to pitch to be able to attend the event to shift the power dynamic
What is the purpose of the event?
More time and opportunity to have real conversations
Donors to be invited to nonprofit locations and in depth convos around missions
Bus tours or another physical connection w/ NPOs. ABQCF hosted open houses?
Utilize community agreements w/ GGG
Have a facilitated conversation like the one when are in right now
How do we get donors comfortable with long-term relationships, cultivation?
Donor/NPO match/scavenger hunt at event to make pre-planned connections
Sectors in categories with advance work done to level the playing field
Opportunity to socialize
Being available, active listening
Genuine support for mutual success
Have donors make pitches to nonprofits from their tables
Encourage relationship with folks besides the ED
Constant communication - seeing folks out and about
Recognizing one another’s value
Face to face - donors and recipients
Opportunity to challenge donors via group conversation or larger event
Values matter/look at an org’s mission statement
In person makes a big difference
Sharing what stories have made a real difference
20-30 orgs set up booths at an event to share info about their org
Who is the community?
Lots of volunteers/numerous small donors.
Openly addresses the inherent power dynamic
Minimize excessive drinking
Offers opportunities for informal conversational spaces
Humor can be unifying, if applied thoughtfully
Deliberately mix donors and non-profits=No Clumping
Programming allows for relationship building at the table while people are eating (limit presentations during this time)
Donor elect to affiliate with a non profit?
Inspires curiosity - participants leave wanting to learn more
Areas of interest vs specific NP
Provide all attendees information about which non--profits are attending
Make every seat/table in the room a "premium" seat
Encourage non-profits to invite their donors to attend (to support them and help with networking)
Make the community the center of the gathering, not the $
No one leaves empty-handed. There is a benefit for all attendees.
Have AFC Board and staff serve as connectors between donors and non-profits
Interaction with nonprofit agency and recipients or to hear about impact
Liked the idea of 7-group individual
“Coffee” meeting regularly
Venues - BioPark Japanese gardens
Tap into school clubs - build young givers
Appropriate venue
Meet ultimate beneficiary - Testimonials!
Local historians and community elders sharing stories about Albuquerque’s nonprofits, history, culture
Testimony - encourage and educate
Mix up guests and nonprofits to encourage conversation and relationships
Authentic relationships - nonprofit presents to 30 interested people, public employees - ask foundations
Impact and coffee - scale 5 service providers, use 7 direct areas supported by ACF
Locations - community centers, Martinez town/SB
NP donor
NP - donee

What role should ACF play in connecting community, nonprofits, and donors?

Being a Cooperative Hub where resources can be offered and shared.
Host Community talks, sessions, networking opportunities, introduce members of the community that applied for assistance. Share their stories.
By being more transparent about priorities, goals, and how decisions are made
Hosting events where nonprofits and donors can come together like the GGG or an awards celebration event... the Oscars for nonprofits!
Perhaps focusing GGG events around donor interest - matching donor interest with nonprofit mission areas.
Connecting role between donors and their particular interest in an active way
Recognition of volunteers... an event to celebrate and recognize the work of volunteers.
Create cultivation opportunities for all participating orgs for GGG
Facilitate communication and real time and throughout the year.
The Community Foundations should serve as a trustworthy conduit for philanthropy, making it easier for donors to support local causes and nonprofits.
Connect the needs and strengths of different nonprofits so they can work together.
It should be the role of the foundation to continuously bring nonprofits and community members together.
Highlight the needs of the community.
Provide ongoing touch points for community, nonprofits ( including boards and parentheses and donors to address different areas for capacity building and connection
Have a category for nonprofit startups - orgs and existence for less than 5 years.
Volunteer recognition component is important as well. Volunteers are so integral to so many nonprofits.
Large monetary support is great in a one-time event. A long-term connection isn't formed after one introduction.
ACF has a chance to foster a creative environment for the NPO community. be willing to fund a wildly creative idea that may likely fail.
ACF should be ongoing convener so that nonprofits can strategize find mentorship and allies, and also cultivate donors of various levels
Year-round legislative advocacy and education around issues impacting nonprofits. ACF could be a neutral third-party convener and educator.
Be willing to make a bad investment in order to fund creative solutions
Volunteers are selected to grant money and they can then give money to the nonprofit they select.
Nonprofit guide: who they are. what they do. who they serve.
Asking NPO to be creative, but not being willing to fund creative ideas, ACF needs to think outside their box and expand their views on the community need
Encouraging npos to collaborate together and with diverse community members is a way ACF could play a role
Facilitate collective impact models that encourage collaboration among multiple nonprofit organizations
ACF can deliver trainings to donors about creative models for giving and to inform donors about needs and where funding is most needed
ACF’s primary responsibility should be to community residents and ensure that funds they administer respond to community need
ACF as convener of capacity building events for nonprofits
Corporate donors brought to the event by ACF but allow corporations to get recognition for gift/donation but feature nonprofit
Expand corporate giving and individual giving to nonprofits
Connecting donors to mission - matching interest
Is ACF listing all non-profits or just those with ACF endowments. - could ACF catalog all nonprofits with their mission statement and web address?
Albuquerque Community Foundation host events based on shared interest: NP mission for homelessness meets with donors interested in homelessness help.
Be an Innovative connector for orgs - exposure of orgs and alignment with community needs.
Mentorship connections with community, donors and orgs.
Convening and capacity opportunities
Support beyond the check
Alternative grant application
Involvement of expanded leadership circles ( development, hr, finance, programs, etc.)
ACF should act as the convener / steward between npo/funders
Create opportunities to meet - by topic, theme
Our experience is that the ACF has played no role - could be hub, introduce orgs to donors
A focus on all stakeholders - customer service focused toward fund holders, donors, nonprofits, community members as a whole
Matchmaker-qualified vetting up-to-date
Understanding the changing community needs
Host ongoing facilitated community dialogues like these throughout the year
Understanding interest with funders/donors in the nonprofit ecosystem
Keeping pulse on community
Early and often communication for both sides
Unrestricted support
Trust-based philanthropy practices
Advocate for funders and community
Bring on large national funders
Showcase NM social sector
Educate funders about nonprofits
- how to talk about impact to meet funders need
- how to think about complexity of nonprofits
Help scale
Be in the community and represent the community
Capacity building
Connector
Pre funder analysis
Data collector of priorities
Understanding needs of funder/community
Id “leverage” opportunities…
Contact contact (early/often)
Creative intellectual(s)
Facilitator(s)
Mackenzie Scott, Waverly, etc…
Know NM, ABQ, Indian Country
Know pain points, opportunity, challenges
Be “in” community
Help orgs “scale”/build capacity
Help us understand the donor advised fund process - how do we connect with aligned donors?
Hosting smaller networking events for funders/donors and nonprofit organizations interested in similar issue areas.
Facilitate short videos from non-profits and funders that can be accessed online, so we can all learn more about each other in a snapshot.
Clear communication about what funders will fund specifically and what they not willing to fund.
Have an additional space where the non-profit can add additional information if needed to match with donors.
Helpful to know donor values, so you don't feel like you will step on donors' toes, when talking to them. Knowing what funders will be interested in.
ACF can help NPs connect to donors in their respective areas, i.e., Education, Health, Workforce,
etc....
ACF can provide an overview of the issues in Albuquerque to better inform us and how the NPs are making impact individually and collectively.
We need a mapping exercise to learn who is out there and how we can connect with each other to make an impact.
Taking an educational approach to teaching donors how to connect with us and how to connect our youth for the continuity of our nonprofits, sustaining for future generations
Regardless of the approach, please take into consideration the capacity of NPs which is already often spread quite thin

ACF defines Its geographic service area; determines geographically eligible charities Help focus donors to organizations through matching. Don't meet 100" of groups if you're only interested in 10" of them.
ACF asks each charity to fill out an identical information sheet for use with donors relational Versus transactional
ACF lists existing donors and their charitable intentions connect non-profit organizations with other donors.
ACF suggests donor contacts to charities and charity contacts to donors
Donors and charities are matched geographically or by interests and connected in person or virtually at ACF sponsored events. not everyone knows what ACF is doing and how to get info from and too them smaller events someone said in larger group - nonprofits have to show cost effectiveness of the program being funded. Cost effectiveness is not what we look for Qualitative and not only quantitative measures. Transformational rather than transactional relationships

Site visits
We spent the time in good conversation.
We will add comments In the survey
Empower community to bring in other groups
Matchmakers! Deep knowledge of NPs and deep knowledge of donors/biz's - can ACF help connect the dots and connect like minded orgs/ donors facilitating transparency to support authentic relationships
Huge role opportunity: Coordination of resources for NPs, endowments, investments,
capacity building
Can ACF handle more endowments (UW's, NM Phil)
If we are talking about events, can there be one about the different orgs which have endowments with ACF
From donor perspective - more clarity on grant making end of things - how are funds being
Distributed, determined, etc
Lunch and learn spotlighting a donor(s) and their priorities
Networking each month w/ presenter
Share values
In person meeting
Spend time together
Be able to give information to non-profits and put them in touch with possible help
Continue DEI perspective in trainings and granting
Free food entry
Offer trainings/workshops
Contribute through offering training and support
Vet NPOs and donors to cultivate trust
Help cultivate relationships, act as a bridge
ACF centralize event, create space and process for connections
Is there a vetted NP list? How does NP get vetted? Is that shared with donors?
Wy for donors to understand an NP need
Sector-centric meet and greets hosted by ABQCF
More opportunities outside of large grant, like the donor directed funding that makes work worthwhile
Empower donors and nonprofits to authentically connect
Foundation can communicate to the community for many NPs, collective pooled promotions
Have multiple NPs available at an event - speed dating
Coordinate NPs to have open houses and invite donors and community
Have many more facilitated conversations (by a third party like this)
Support donors missions and connect them with nonprofits that align with donors mission
Emphasis on small grassroots orgs - the $ goes further
Host community events and invite nonprofits and donors
Introductions between the nonprofits and donors
Purpose of ACF
Donors can also be people who donate time and services
As a donor, I care about the services that an organization provides. Does the service fill a gap, a need in the community.
Small events that present a variety of things that your org does.
They had an event at the SF Farmers Market/they provide legal services to immigrants/they gave awards. They had an auction, too.
Foundation pairs donors w/ nonprofits
Pre-planning
Bus tours have been fun!
How can Albuquerque Journal serve the community?
Creating a safe space/ facilitating conversations
Partner with United Way on joint connecting efforts. Both organizations frequently fund the same organizations
Could make a "speed dating" system for donors interested in specific non-profits or kinds of non-profit organizations
ACF needs to look as broadly as possible within interest areas, non-profits (new, old)
This should be a responsibility of the ACF Board AND staff. Not just staff.
Convene aligned organizations.
Amplify voices that are often unheard in our community
Create opportunities for groups that don't know each other's work to meet/ build awareness.
Identify individuals for governance roles in NP’s
Be a listener and learn with/alongside community, nonprofits, and donors
Identify and work with flailing NP’s to improve performance
Specific training should be provided on how to identify donors and how to make community connections (for ACF staff)
Major role - educate community about giving, put nonprofits together to share resources.
It would be useful for somebody to create a master list of organizations and services provided for all to share.
More community outreach to educate about what ACF does.
Review desires of donors w/ donor advised funds and introduce to nonprofits.
Clearly define ACF’s mission (in relation to NMCF)
[$=money, S=support, I=info Donor —$--> ACF ←$--> Community Donor ←I– ACF ACF –$--> Service nonprofit Service nonprofit ←I→ Connect Community, nonprofits, and donors Why? Donors–$ and ideas→ ACF→ Community Service providers ←$--> Service providers What do we (ACF) trade in currency Commerce - ideas, support Stay on course - why diversify?]

Next Steps

Foundation staff and a special subcommittee will begin the next phase of re-imagining the Great Grant Giveaway this summer and fall, with the event tentatively scheduled for Fall 2025. We look forward to sharing more information with the community in the coming months.

On behalf of Foundation Staff, thank you for sharing your perspectives and insights.