Conference of Southwest Foundations has announced a new relationship

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Improving Philanthropy Outcomes: Conference of Southwest Foundations Announces new Relationship with The Rensselaerville Institute

Dallas, TX – January 30, 2008 – Conference of Southwest Foundations, a seven-state regional association of grant-making organizations, today announces the establishment of a cooperative relationship with The Rensselaerville Institute.

Dubbed the “the think tank with muddy boots” by The Wall Street Journal, The Rensselaerville Institute is a nonprofit organization that helps foundations and nonprofit organizations focus on results and how to achieve them. 

In this new relationship, the Institute will be an “Outcome Resource” for Conference members, provide tools to assess the effectiveness of their philanthropy, and discount its services 15%.  

The Institute is nationally known for working with foundations to help them invest in social programs with the same rigor as investors seeking financial return.

Conference of Southwest Foundations (CSF) and The Rensselaerville Institute (TRI) will initiate this new relationship with two workshops that propose a 21st Century view of moving from a mindset of funding to the mindset of investing as well as building relationships between investors and grantees that create an outcome-based partnership.

Lucille DiDomenico, Executive Director of Conference of Southwest Foundations in commenting on the relationship, says, “The insights and approaches developed by the Institute and shared over time with our members at occasional workshops will now be available in broader and more systematic ways.  We are pleased to help members in their quest to understand the return on grant investments.”

Hal Williams, President of The Rensselaerville Institute says, "We look forward to providing materials, tools, case studies and other resources to CSF members in their quest to both understand and increase the improvements in human life from the grants they make.  One key is helping members with great practices to define them crisply and share them effectively with each other.  Another is to share what is known about approaches and models shown to work or not work in given areas. 

Mr. Williams adds, “What is the most important goal, which foundations and nonprofits share?  Improvement in human lives.  These dialogues will speak to the changes needed for those who give and those who get money to best connect and achieve that result.  In traditional funding, there may be more interaction on getting the proposal right than getting the project to success.”

Maggie McCarthy, Director of Southwest Programs for The Rensselaerville Institute will be available to help CSF members implement outcome strategies and use the Institute’s services. She has provided executive leadership to community and private foundations, as well as numerous nonprofit boards.

Visit www.c-s-f.org for more information and to register.

About Conference of Southwest Foundations
Conference of Southwest Foundations is a nonprofit membership association of grant-making organizations that provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, experiences and expertise among grant makers, and resources to enhance the ability of each organization to fulfill its charitable mission. CSF maintains a library of the resources required for effective, efficient and responsible philanthropy.

Within the southwestern region (Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) CSF provides education, services and support to build stronger foundations in ways that:

• Develop and deliver a variety of services that respond to the specific needs and interests of members.
• Support the development of philanthropic leadership.
• Affirm responsible management and ethical conduct in all areas of philanthropy.
• Provide both formal opportunities and a strong network for the exploration of local, regional and national issues of concern to grant makers.
• Maintain an environment that encourages free and open discussion among members.

Conference of Southwest Foundations
624 North Good-Latimer Expressway, Suite 100
Dallas, Texas 75204
Phone: 214.740.1787
Fax: 214.740.1790