"Financial Management in Tough Times"
Web Chat Series Hosted by NFF and The Chronicle of Philanthropy
(October – November, 2009)

The nation's weak economy is forcing many charities and foundations to make crucial financial decisions, often in pressured circumstances. In many cases, nonprofit leaders and board members do not know what questions to ask and may not have a clear understanding of what their choices will mean to their organizations' long-term financial health.

To help these leaders understand their financial options, The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Finance Fund hosted a series of free, live online discussions that gave nonprofit and foundation leaders the opportunity to get advice from financial experts.

Clara Miller, president and chief executive of Nonprofit Finance Fund, along with other experts, offered concrete and practical tips and ideas on some of the most pressing financial issues charities face today.

Real Estate and Facilities: Understanding Your Options
Thursday, October 1, at 12 noon, U.S. Eastern time

Transcript can be found here: http://philanthropy.com/live/2009/10/real_estate/.
(Please make sure to scroll down and click the "replay" button to view the transcript.)

Real-estate issues loom large for many nonprofit organizations, as physical space often represents a significant expense. Is it better to rent or buy? What are the best options for financing facilities? What "hidden" costs and issues can organizations expect?

The economic downturn has raised the stakes and added a new layer of complexity to classic real-estate challenges. This discussion includes answers to questions about the financial options for nonprofit organizations, foundations, and boards.

The Panelists:

• David Lebenstein is Senior Managing Director/Principal at Colliers ABR. In over 23 years of commercial real estate experience Mr. Lebenstein has overseen the acquisition and disposition of more than $1 billion in properties in 17 states totaling more than 9 million square feet. A specialist in advising not-for-profit groups, Mr. Lebenstein has closed more than 200 transactions on behalf of not-for-profit clients.
• Debra D. Schwartz is Director of Program-related Investments for the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation where she oversees a $300-million portfolio of below-market loans and investments used principally by economic development and affordable housing organizations.
• Clara Miller is President & CEO of Nonprofit Finance Fund.

Nonprofit Finance: What Board Members and Trustees Need to Know
Thursday, October 15, at 12 noon, U.S. Eastern time

Transcript can be found here:http://philanthropy.com/live/2009/10/nonprofit_finance/
(Please make sure to scroll down and click the "replay" button to view the transcript.)

Board members and trustees are in a unique position to help guide and protect the financial health of the organizations they serve. Finance, however, is also one of the most complex issues on the board table. Even leaders with a good knowledge of for-profit finance my find themselves with many questions about sector-specific concerns.

This discussion provides an opportunity for board members and trustees to get answers to their most pressing nonprofit finance questions. It is also relevant to nonprofit organizations interested in how to cultivate a financially-savvy board.

The Panelists:

• Tessie Guillermo is President and CEO of ZeroDivide. Ms. Guillermo currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board for The California Endowment, and for Catholic Healthcare West. She is also a member of the Board of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, Nonprofit Finance Fund in New York and Northern California Grantmakers (NCG).
• Ruth Salzman is Executive Director & CEO of The Russell Berrie Foundation. She serves on the board of the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) and was named a 2000 – 2001 David Rockefeller Fellow by Partnership for New York City. She served as a board member of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, Institute for Community Living, and American Women Economic Development (AWED).
• Clara Miller is President & CEO of Nonprofit Finance Fund.

Building Meaningful Alliances With Other Nonprofit Groups
Thursday, October 29, at 12 noon, U.S. Eastern time

Transcript can be found here: http://philanthropy.com/live/2009/10/alliances/
(Please make sure to scroll down and click the "replay" button to view the transcript.)

Many nonprofit groups are working together in new and innovative ways in order to maintain services during financial crisis. Organizations are finding that collaboration can be an effective way to sustain programs while dealing with their financial challenges -- in both good and bad times.

This discussion offers expert advice about collaborating on programs, including important considerations for nonprofit organizations and foundations that support them. It features real-world examples of collaboration in action, and lessons the participating groups learned.

The Panelists:

• Beth Boone is Artistic & Executive Director at Miami Light Project. Previously, Beth worked for the AT&T Foundation's Arts & Culture Program in New York, managing the implementation of several nationally and internationally recognized artistic programs. In Miami, she held positions as Associate Director of Development for Florida Grand Opera; and as Deputy Director and Interim Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs at Miami Dade Community College, Wolfson Campus.
• Thomas A. McLaughlin is Director of Consulting Services for Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF). Tom is an expert in nonprofit mergers and alliances, having consulted to nonprofits in over 200 such collaborations. He is also nationally recognized as an expert in nonprofit financial management and organizational restructuring. Tom is currently on the management faculty at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University where he teaches mission-based management MBA and international development students.
• Clara Miller is President & CEO of Nonprofit Finance Fund.

Managing in a Changing Economic Environment
Thursday, November 12, at 12 noon, U.S. Eastern time

Transcript can be found here: http://philanthropy.com/live/2009/11/managing/
(Please make sure to scroll down and click the "replay" button to view the transcript.)

Some economic indicators are up, and some are down -- but most nonprofit groups continue to acutely feel the impact of the weak economy. Financial turmoil has changed the nonprofit world in ways that will play out in the months and years ahead.

This discussion offers practical advice for leaders of nonprofit organizations and foundations that are dealing with continued economic uncertainty.

How can organizations continue to survive these tough times while preparing for what's ahead? What lessons are relevant when true recovery begins? For organizations that have received stimulus or emergency support, what approaches will help shore up and sustain financial gains?

The Panelists:

• Linda C. Crompton is President & CEO of BoardSource. She has more than 25 years of experience in business, finance, and organizational strategy and a strong commitment to social responsibility and exceptional governance. Before joining BoardSource Linda served as President and CEO of the Washington–based Investor Responsibility Research Center (IRRC), the leading source of independent, impartial research on corporations and shareholder issues. Over her career Linda has served as a director of more than 20 organizations in the nonprofit, for–profit, and public sectors.
• Muzzy Rosenblatt is Executive Director of BRC, whose mission is "Helping People Reclaim Lives Lost." BRC, also known as the Bowery Residents' Committee, is one of New York City's most efficient and effective housing and social services agencies. At BRC. Muzzy initiated a successful financial turnaround: from operating in the red for five straight years prior to his arrival, to operating in the black ever since. Along the way, BRC has grown its annual revenues nearly threefold, from $17 million to $48 million, and now employs over 500 people.
• Clara Miller is President & CEO of Nonprofit Finance Fund.

For transcipts from the Web Chat Series Hosted by NFF and The Chronicle of Philanthropy
(May 6 – June 2009), please click the links below:

• Financial Management in Tough Times: Financing Options.
• New Ways for Arts Organizations to Finance Their Operations
• The Changing Role of Foundations
• Making Capital Campaigns Work in the Recession