^{From left: Lindsey Buss, Ana Lopez, David Snider, Kelly Sweeney McShane, Jonathan Smith}

The Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation announces the recipients of its 2009 Exponent Award, which celebrates visionary nonprofit leadership and includes a $100,000 cash award for the recipient's organization.

The 2009 winners are:

• Lindsey Buss, president and CEO of Martha’s Table
• Ana Lopez, executive director of Community Bridges
• Kelly Sweeney McShane, executive director of Community of Hope

• Jonathan M. Smith, executive director of Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia
• David Andrew Snider, producing artistic director and CEO of Young Playwrights’ Theater

See bios, photos, and videos of our winners>>

The 2009 recipients have been featured in The Washington Post, Washington Business Journal, Philanthropy News Digest, Philanthropy Journal, D.C. Nonprofit Business Examiner, Washington Grantmakers Daily, and across the Web in a number of blogs, Twitter and social media hits, website postings, and eNewsletter features.

See more 2009 Exponent Awards Coverage>>

Meyer and Consumer Health Foundation Form Partnership

The Meyer Foundation is beginning a new partnership with the Consumer Health Foundation (CHF) which will manage the application review process for Meyer's health and mental health grants in 2010.

One key goal of the partnership is streamlining and simplifying application and reporting processes for nonprofits with a single process for both foundations. The partnership allows Meyer to benefit from the deep knowledge and expertise of CHF without expanding its staff.

“Foundations are always asking our grantees to be open to innovative new ways of working together, and we feel that foundations have a real opportunity—especially in this difficult economic time—to model the kind of collaboration they hope to see among grantees,” says Julie L. Rogers, president and CEO of the Meyer Foundation. “Meyer’s commitment to funding in health remains strong, and our priorities and funding interests will continue to focus on expanding access to primary care throughout the region. As the country faces the prospect of healthcare reform, we believe that Meyer’s health funding—and the good work of our grantees—remains critical to enabling access to high quality healthcare.”

The Meyer Foundation and CHF have worked closely together for nearly a decade, and there is considerable overlap in funding priorities and grantees. CHF staff will manage the application and review process for health and mental health grants and make recommendations to Meyer staff and board.

"We are excited at the prospect of working more closely and strategically with our colleagues at the Meyer Foundation,” says Margaret O’Bryon, president of CHF. “We have a shared history as partners committed to improving the health of our region. Our work together has included the creation of the Regional Primary Care Coalition and other collaborative endeavors.”  

Read more about Meyer's partnership with the Consumer Health Foundation>>

Learning Opportunities

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Small and Emerging Nonprofits: How to Create and Sustain Fundraising in Tough Economic Times

Center for Nonprofit Advancement and Association of Fundraising Professionals

This workshop will explore how organizations can develop and grow fundraising during tough economic times. Learn more.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Cutting Back Strategically With Minimum Anguish

Center for Nonprofit Advancement

This workshop explores how to make cuts strategically without damaging programs or stressing staff, set and stick to priorities, and manage the tensions that leaner, more focused programs can produce. Learn more.

Not-for-Profits and the Economy: A Two Part Series

Grant Thornton LLP

This two-part webinar series will discuss the current economic environment and how not-for-profit organizations are managing through this recession. Learn more.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Marketing and PR on a Shoestring

Nonprofit Technology Network

This online seminar will explore strategies for improving messaging and branding and practical steps for marketing an organization. Learn more.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Webinar: Know Your Donors

Philanthropy Journal

This webinar will help nonprofits change the way they think about and engage their key donors. Learn more.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Principios De La Escritura De Propuestas (Proposal Writing Basics, Spanish)

Foundation Center

"Principios de la escritura de propuestas" es una orientación para los que se inician en el proceso de preparar una propuesta, con su presupuesto, para fundaciones y corporaciones. Learn more.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Developing a Fundraising Plan

Foundation Center

This seminar, for grantseekers who are responsible for annual campaigns and for those who want to diversify their funding streams, will explore how to pre-plan a campaign and implement a critical asset-based approach to secure a diverse mix of funding. Learn more.

Links for Nonprofits

Economic Crisis Links

Meyer's website has resources to help nonprofits weather the economic crisis. Select a topic to learn more:

• Background on the Downturn
• Fundraising
• Board Involvement
• Communications and Marketing
• Health and Well-being
• Opinion Pieces and Editorials
• Links to Other Survival Guides
• Other Links of Interest

Form 990 Revision Resources

Meyer's website also has resources to help nonprofits understand revisions to the Form 990.

Continue to the website>>