News from FIN Network Days

The Foundation Center keeps its 470+ Funding Information Network partner libraries up on its current offerings and research at its annual Network Days conference.  This year, we St. Louis region FIN supervisors (Emma DeLooze-Klein @Kirkwood Public Library, M. Brad Smith @ St. Charles City-County Spencer Road Branch, Pamela Salela @ University of IL- Springfield, and me)  attended virtually.  Some results to pass along:

1. Training for using updated versions of FDO & Foundation Maps,

  plus a new free website --Foundation Stats -- (see G&FC Events Calendar on this page for Jan./Feb. 2015 hands-on workshop times)

2. Major funding trends reported by large arts, health and education grantmakers:

• more funding allotted innovative programs/organizations promoting racial and cultural equity in their communities;
• more funding is going for nonprofits working in areas of public policy and advocacy;
• funders are examining how technology and data are being used by organizations;
• deliberate efforts being made to help with sustainability and capacity building and technical assistance   
• funders interested in providing more support through MRIs and PRIs, social enterprise, fiscal sponsorships.