Northern California Grantmakers

The concept of PhotoPhilanthropy, using photography to promote social activism, was pioneered by philanthropist and photographer Nancy R. Farese.

Founder of NCG member Farese Family Foundation, Nancy has used her skills as a photographer to offer support nonprofit organizations by documenting their work through photo essays.

In 2009 Nancy founded PhotoPhilanthropy, “an organization created to promote, support and connect photographers to charitable organizations around the world.”

The PhotoPhilanthropy website acts as an online community where “photographers, photo enthusiasts and charitable organizations to come together – to network, to tell their stories, show their work, exchange ideas, find opportunities and financial support for their efforts.”

2009 PhotoPhilanthropy Activist Awards Winner Dmitry Markov, Lingering Childhood photo essay

Farese isn’t alone when it comes to using visual mediums to promote causes and the good work of nonprofit organizations. Many NCG members highlight their grantees and their work in the communities through video and film.

In fact, the June NCG Member Newsletter focuses on how members are “telling their stories” through a variety of mediums (blogging, tweeting, website, video and film).

Explore how other NCG members are showcasing their impact and the work of their grantees in the latest issue of the NCG newsletter online.

Visit PhotoPhilanthropy’s website online.

Explore Nancy Farese’s photography online.

FSG Social Impact Advisors announced today the release of Community-Based Philanthropy and the Knight Community Information Challenge, supported by and produced in collaboration with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

This report explores how quality and delivery of information—specifically the shift from traditional print media to online and social media—will affect the health and vitality of communities. It also examines how place-based foundations are responding to Knight’s $24 million Community Information Challenge to incorporate their communities’ information needs into their missions.

Download the report online.

With nine years of overseeing the web and social media strategy at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Larry Blumenthal has some kernels of wisdom on how foundations can take those first steps of implementation.

In his March 12th blog post, Larry elaborates on  the following lessons:

1. Start with a Strategy in Mind
   

Your social media efforts should flow out of your overall mission and strategy. Sort those out first.

2. Baby Steps are OK

Push out of your comfort zone a little at a time (especially if you don’t have support from senior people, yet).

3. Embrace Failure

If you look at things as an experiment, everything becomes an opportunity to learn.

4. It’s All About the Conversation

Social media is not about dominating the conversation. It is about generating discussion that we can all learn from.

5. This is Much Harder Than It Looks

Be realistic upfront about committing the resources to do this well. The world doesn’t need another blog that nobody reads.

6. Don’t Let a Lack of Clear Metrics Prevent You From Getting Started

Think about your strategy, then get out there and get your feet wet. The analytics will come.

7. Social Media Isn’t Just About Communications

Think of ways to use social media tools and principles throughout your organization to be more effective at what you do.

Read Larry’s entire blog post online.