Welcome to the MCF Online Resource Library

Get philanthropy insights, learn best practices and research documents that help you further your impact. Begin your search by typing a keyword in the "Search" bar below, or search by "Resource Type" by selecting the section(s) in the right-hand panel. Next, scroll to the bottom of the page to view search results. Have a resource to add? Email us at info@mcf.org.
 

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Seize the Initiative: A Legal Guide on Ballot Measures for Nonprofits and Foundations

Published: 
February 2022
seizepic.png Seize the Initiative: A Legal Guide on Ballot Measures for Nonprofits and Foundations offers clear and concise information on the range of legal questions that could arise when nonprofits consider working on a ballot initiative, including: An explanation of the different types of ballot measures and the relevant rules for each Guidance on what activities 501(c)(3) organizations may engage in without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status Information that addresses the concerns of private and public foundations interested in supporting ballot measure work by public charities.
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Public Policy

Philanthropy’s Necessary Role in Advancing an Inclusive, Multiracial Democracy

Published: 
March 2022
gtown.png This essay focuses on several areas where contemporary American democracy can deliver on its promises, and philanthropy’s necessary role in advancing this vision for an inclusive, multiracial democracy. We profess no cure-alls to what ails us. Many projects that build our democracy are worthy of philanthropic engagement and support. We argue that more funders need to understand how the threats to inclusive, multiracial democracy are connected to the increased challenges we face in advancing our causes and changing systems. We suggest a starter course of actions funders can take if...
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Public Policy

It’s On Us: The Nonprofit Voter Empowerment Project

Published: 
June 2022
empowerpic.png The answer is simple: It’s On Us as nonprofits to use our voting power to fulfill our missions of promoting public good. The 2020 election yielded unprecedented levels of voter turnout that helped to reduce participation disparities nationwide. This historic victory was accomplished in the midst of significant uncertainty, including a global pandemic that prompted a series of changes to state and local election laws. Research indicates that voter engagement conducted by charitable nonprofits made it easier for new and existing voters to navigate a wide range of policy changes...
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Public Policy

Impact Investing 101

Published: 
December 2022
Through this 30-minute presentation and related resource materials, you can learn how MCF's community of practice defines impact investing. The webinar explores what it means to intentionally create and measure a positive financial return as well as a positive social or environmental impact. If you’re new to the impact investing concept, new to the work, or looking for new ways to make a difference with your investments – this session is an ideal place to start learning about impact investing. Presenters include Susan Hammel , CFA, MCF Executive in Residence for Impact...
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Impact Investing
Topic(s) 
Impact Investing

2022 Midwest Grantmaker Salary, Benefits, and Demographics Report

Published: 
October 2022
The 2022 Midwest Grantmaker Salary, Benefits, and Demographics Report provides data on full-time paid staff at foundations based in Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin reported to Council on Foundations (COF) as of February 1, 2022. This report is used to aid in budget planning and personnel practice benchmarking, and contains information presented by foundation type, staff position, and asset size. The Midwest report is distributed exclusively to members of MCF and its Midwest PSO partners. Access it here .
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Evaluation

Gun Violence Prevention Resources

Published: 
October 2022
In September 2022, MCF hosted a conversation about philanthropy's role in reducing gun violence. Presenters explored various strategies including research, education, and policy solutions that seek to reduce gun violence through an evidence informed, public health approach, and make communities safer. Gun violence prevention, working in tandem with justice system reform and violence intervention can be powerful forces toward creating safe and just communities. Presenters included: Chanda Smith Baker, Chief Impact Officer and Senior Vice President, The Minneapolis Foundation Tim Daly, Program...
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Resource type 
Grantmaking

Compensation Philosophy for HR Decisionmakers

Published: 
September 2022
Read MCF’s new internal organizational philosophy which sets the tone for how we make decisions around competitive and equitable salaries, make salary adjustments and advancements, maintain confidentiality and transparency, and more. Developed in partnership with a DEI consultant, this philosophy furthers our equity goals and advances our vision of being the best place our staff have ever worked. Online here: MCF’s Compensation Philosophy .

Best Practices for Nonprofit Boards

Published: 
July 2022
Nonprofit boards play a critical role in making sure that their organizations stay strong and healthy, especially during times of crisis. Alice Antonelli, Director for NFF's Advisory Services, has gathered a series of best practices for nonprofit boards , including special crisis tips to help boards prioritize specific actions they can take right now during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Best PracticeLeadership and Governance

Practical Guidance: What Nonprofits Need to Know About Lobbying

Published: 
May 2022
This resource is designed to help your nonprofit organization determine if state or local regulations might apply to your existing or proposed advocacy work. The answer is surprisingly often yes, but there are also often many advocacy activities that do not require state lobbyist registration or reporting.
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Public Policy

Trust-based Philanthropy Presentation

Published: 
June 2022
Trust-based philanthropy is informed by experience that funder-grantee relationships are stronger when they are built on the foundation of trust. These relationships: Center equity, humility and transparency. Recognize the power imbalance between funders and grantees, and work to actively rebalance it. Deeply value the quality of relationships, and honor how we treat others on the path to winning on our issues, as much as the act of winning itself. View the resources shared during a presentation to MCF's Corporate Community Affairs Network in June 2022.
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Best PracticeGrantmakingPresentation

Corporate Benchmarking Survey Spring 2022

Published: 
June 2022
In May 2022, MCF conducted a survey of corporate community affairs programs and corporate foundations. The survey questions are posed by your peers - professionals working in Minnesota's corporate giving programs. The survey responses are meant to inform your work and the work of your corporate giving peers. Questions in this survey focus on grantmaking ( survey part 1 ) and volunteer engagement / employee engagement ( survey part 2 ) within a corporate setting.
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BenchmarksGrantmakingHuman Resources

Native Nations and Communities 101

Published: 
March 2022
In March 2022, MCF and WASH-MN (We Are Still Here)* hosted a rich learning opportunity about Native Nations and communities. A recording of the presentation, linked here , introduces high-level topics specific to Native Nations and peoples, including what it means to be a Native Nation, the importance of treaties, basics of tribal citizenship and enrollment, and information on how to engage more effectively with Native communities. Viewers will gain base-level knowledge to help their foundations better understand and support Native communities and resources to continue learning. The session...

Crafting a Compensation Philosophy

Published: 
December 2021
A compensation philosophy serves as a guide for employers who are making compensation decisions. It also provides transparency to employees who seek to understand decisions that are made. The attached documents offer a starting point for crafting a comprehensive compensation philosophy along with sample excerpts from philanthropic organizations.

Aligning Banking and Organizational Values

Published: 
November 2021
During MCF’s fall 2021 Impact Investing Network meeting, members discussed aligning banking practices with organizational values. Aligning values could include choosing a bank based on the diversity of its ownership or leadership, on the geographic area where the bank focuses its investments, on the locations of the bank branches, or various other factors. Network members discussed two ways to align banking and values: (1) use values-based criteria to select a new bank or (2) actively express your values to your current bank in order to inform institutional change. Attached are two sample...

Principles for Philanthropy: Introductory Presentation

Published: 
October 2021
MCF offers this PowerPoint deck as a tool for educating your colleagues, staff, board or community members about the Principles for Philanthropy. Ideas for using this PowerPoint deck: Use the whole deck to introduce all of the principles at a staff or board meeting. Focus on one slide – one of the 8 principles – for 15 minutes at the start of a meeting. Use the questions at the end of the deck to engage your team in discussing one principle – or the entire set of principles: What principles / concepts resonate most with your foundation? What principles / concepts do you think will feel...

Corporate Benchmarking Survey Fall 2021

Published: 
October 2021
In October 2021, MCF conducted a survey of corporate community affairs programs and corporate foundations. The survey questions are posed by your peers - professionals working in Minnesota's corporate giving programs. The survey responses are meant to inform your work and the work of your corporate giving peers. Questions in this survey focus on a wide range of issues including overall giving structure, the relationship between corporate giving and DEI, foundation governance, employee volunteer programs and program forecasts for the near future.

Compensation Benchmarking Resources from Nonprofit Sources

Published: 
September 2021
The following resources provide compensation benchmarking, often for both salaries and benefits, for various nonprofit staff positions. Each resource fills a unique niche that may help you set competitive wages and benefits for your organization’s team. Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Salary and Benefits Survey : The survey gives a page-by-page review of the top 77 jobs in nonprofit organizations. The report presents the results by 6 budget categories, 7 geographic regions, and 12 activity areas so you can compare your organization's compensation to similar organizations...
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BenchmarksHuman Resources

Trust in Civil Society

Published: 
July 2021
Public trust is the currency of the nonprofit sector. The public’s belief that nonprofits will “do the right thing” is one of the central reasons the sector exists. Communities have relied upon nonprofits to provide trusted sources of information, life-sustaining services, environmental stewardship, and places of refuge for centuries. In today’s highly polarized environment, understanding and managing trust has never been more important for organizations to own their license to operate, lead, and succeed. Given the outsized importance of trust, it is imperative to assess the status of that...
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Resource type 
Public Policy

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