Northern California Grantmakers

Last week on our blog we featured the work of PhotoPhilanthropy, an organization which promotes the use of photography as a method of supporting nonprofits and their causes.  As NCG members look for ways to tell their own stories, and/or the stories of their grantees, PhotoPhilanthropy provides excellent examples of compelling visual narratives as a way of “telling your story.”

But, aside from creating an online community, how does PhotoPhilanthropy connect talented photographers with nonprofits? Or rather, how do they get photographers to consider using their talents to benefit nonprofit causes?

PhotoPhilanthropy’s Activist Awards provide photographers with an incentive to highlight a nonprofit’s work and cause through a photo essay. Additionally submissions for the awards stipulate collaboration with a nonprofit organization, which is verified by PhotoPhilanthropy.

PhotoPhilanthropy Activist Awards’ monetary incentive and stipulated collaboration draw talent and creativity, that might not otherwise consider working with nonprofits in this capacity, to the field.

We’ve seen this M.O. at work before in Vodafone Americas Foundation’s Innovation Project. Launched in 2008 by NCG member Vodafone Americas Foundation, the Innovation Project is a competition to promote advances in wireless technology that address critical issues.

And most recently, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced it would award $10 Million to the first companies who help Haitians send and receive money via their cell phones.

Like PhotoPhilanthropy’s Awards, these other examples of prize philanthropy highlight a cause and draw talent (in the form of creativity and technical expertise) to work with nonprofits and/or communities in need.

PhotoPhilanthropy Awards Currently Accepting Submissions

Do you know any photographers who might be interested in this rewarding challenge? If so, the PhotoPhilanthropy Activist Awards compeition is accepting submissions until October 1, 2010.

The award categories and prizes are:

• Professional Photographer: $15,000 Grand Prize
• Amateur Photographer: $2000 Grand Prize
• Student Photographer: $1000 Grand Prize
• Community-based Photography: $2000 Grand Prize

For a complete list of the guidelines and submission requirements, visit PhotoPhilanthropy online.

Call for Nominations—NPD 2010 Deadline May 17

National Philanthropy Day (NPD), the signature awards luncheon celebrating excellence in philanthropy, is presented by Northern California Grantmakers (NCG) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals–Golden Gate Chapter (AFP–GGC). A high profile event that is attended by hundreds of guests each year, National Philanthropy Day 2010 is scheduled for Friday, November 5 at the San Francisco Marriott.

Deadline to Submit Nominations for Awards Fast Approaching!

This is where National Philanthropy Day needs your help. NPD wants to cast a much wider net and extend its reach to honor those from many more of the Bay Area’s vibrant and diverse communities. The nomination process has been greatly simplified—just register your nomination information online and upload or email a letter of endorsement. The process is so easy and streamlined that you might even want to submit more than one nomination.

Take this opportunity to thank someone with a giving heart who is making a difference in the world.

Nomination Deadline & Other Information:
The application deadline for NPD awards nominations has been extended to Monday, May 17, 2010.

You are not required to be a member of NCG or AFP participate in the nomination process.

To learn more about NPD awards visit the following links:

NPD Awards Descriptions >>

View Past Award Winners >>

NPD Contact:
If you have any questions about National Philanthropy Day or NPD award nominations, please feel free to contact Marjorie Winkler, ACFRE, NPD Awards Chair at 510.769.1764 or Marjorie.Winkler@comcast.net. You can also contact Heather Tanfani, Event Coordinator, at 916.608.8686 ht@eventswebpage.com.

Save The Date

The 2010 National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon will be held Friday November 5 at the San Francisco Marriott.

NCG member The James Irvine Foundation has opened nominations for the 2011 James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards.

The awards recognize innovative, effective leaders working to improve California’s future. The award includes $125,000 in organizational support, plus additional resources so that recipients can share their effective program models with policymakers and others in their field.

The foundation is seeking inclusive leaders working on significant state issues who are ready to share their successful approaches. Nominees can work in any field – such as education, health, housing, economic development or the environment – and in the public, private or nonprofit sector.

To nominate a leader or learn about past award recipients, please visit http://irvine.org/leadership. Nominations are due July 9, 2010. Four to six award recipients will be announced at a Sacramento awards luncheon in February 2011.