Room: 214
Just as the issues foundations address are diverse, so are the means and approaches to actually influence policy debates and/or social change. Advocacy is seen as one key mechanism through which foundations can fundamentally bring about change, whether it be indirectly by supporting their grantees or through their own voice and actions. Advocacy is also used by foundations to influence the allocation of public resources thus trying to direct “big money” towards specific issues of interest. Drawing on practical examples this session will firstly explore what advocacy in its broadest term can mean and secondly which tools (campaigning, strategic media use, lobbying), knowledge and skills foundations apply to effect policy debates in Europe. This session will be open to all foundations wanting to engage in discussion and reflection about advocacy for or undertaken by foundations in Europe.
Moderator: John Healy, Centre for Nonprofit Management, Trinity College
Speakers:
Carlotta Besozzi, European Disability Forum presenting the European Consortium of Foundations on Human Rights and Disability
Filiz Bikmen, Sabanci Foundation
Astrid Bonfield, The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund
Impact measurement, evaluation, benchmarking, non-profit analysis - What works?
Room: 214
The use of measurements, metrics and benchmarks by private foundations and government funding programs in Europe has become more commonplace. New tools and methods promise more effectiveness, better communication of results, more funds and deeper trust between donors, beneficiaries and the general public. At the same time, expectations have been curbed and the topic remains highly complex, technical or academic. This session will present some practical hands-on examples, highlighting experiences from the field. Against the backdrop of different purposes of and interests in impact measurement and evaluation it will highlight what works and what doesn’t. The session will also attempt to name and explain constraints and challenges. Different perspectives will be used, taking into account the expectations, benefits and experiences that are found amongst donors, beneficiaries as well as different constituencies. This session will be targeted towards all interested representatives from foundations and non-profit organisations, to get a sense of what might work for their own work and knowledge generation. The session will include a screening of “Kristy and the evaluators: Getting a grip on evaluation”.
Moderator: Bettina Windau, Bertelsmann Stiftung
Speakers:
Lisa Jordan, Bernard van Leer Foundation
Barry Knight, The Centre for Research & Innovation in Social Policy and Practice
Strategic assets: Investing in your staff development
Room: 214
Building a knowledgeable, skilful and confident staff and board are pre-requisites for creating and maintaining a foundation that is able to operate in practice to high standards that gets the best from its own human capital, that provides an excellent service to those organisations and communities with which it works. The session will look at how to invest in a smart way in foundation staff and in board development by presenting first-hand experience and best practices and by covering key aspects of human resource management such as recruiting, career paths, compensation and training strategies. In order to develop and sustain creative thinking and practices over the long-term, the foundation sector must find ways to ensure the transfer of skills, knowledge and social leadership already existing within their organisations. This is especially pertinent for “emerging leaders”. The session will gather senior managers, board members, HR managers and foundation staff to exchange their experiences and views and to discuss potential models and training needs to improve the skills of foundation staff and to explore possibilities for future joint activities in this regard.
Moderator: Avila Kilmurray, The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland
Speakers:
Pier Mario Vello, Fondazione Cariplo
Stephen Pittam, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust