From a recent report on effects of the economic downturn:

For some nonprofits on the edge, however, any loss of grant revenue could be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Billie Blair, president of the Santa Fe Community Foundation, said her group has been approached by three nonprofits in the last month asking for help to facilitate mergers. "I think nonprofits recognize that for those who have been marginal," said Blair, "they are now truly marginal."

We have wrapped up the second Fieldstone Crossroads series on leadership transitions. Mary Migilorelli from the Foundation agrees that a reunion of both year's participants would be great sometime next year - let me know if you are intersted.

Meanwhile, I thought this blog from Rosetta Thurman was of interest:

What Gen X & Y Want Established Leaders to Know

Utah has been missing out on what all other states have found to be central to strengthening their communities: a vibrant community foundation. A community foundation is a tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people in a local area.

• They build and strengthen communities by making it possible for a wide range of donors participate in creating permanent, endowed funds to meet present and future needs.
• They are a sustainable aspect of philanthropy.
  
  

Annie O'Brien says they have lots of money available for folks interested this program. I teach two of the courses and from what I hear from the students it is well worth your while. The application deadline is January 9th, 2009 for Spring 2009 admission.

To register go on line to http://continue.utah.edu/proed

The Scholarship information is straightforward - you need two letters of reference, so let me know if I can help. You can also contact Anne at (801) 585-0945.

Check out this article in today's Utah Pulse about the barriers women entrepreneurs face when seek gin private capital - and what VAST is doing to change the landscape!

A colleague asked me to blog about this issue. A blog request!

When I tell people I am starting a new community foundation some say I am nuts to take this on in a down economy. But to be honest, I think it is the perfect time. We need a community endowment that we can access in tough times, just like the state's rainy day fund. And when our nonprofits - and the people they serve - are hurting, we need a place to go for support and tools that can help create efficiencies and new sustainable programming. It is always hard to start something complex and new. Nonprofits know that better than anyone. So full steam ahead.

A successful social entrepreneurship venture follows a pattern similar to any business. But what can an established company glean from community-oriented startups? , read the article in this month's Utah CEO here

The Utah portion of Global Entrepreneur Week runs from November 17th through the 21st. Among the events planned is a day-long seminar on November 20th to educate people about being a successful entrepreneur - social entrepreneurs invited!

Register here:  www.gewutah.com.

Take this quiz:

http://yalepress.yale.edu/yupbooks/entrepreneurshipquiz.asp)

Attend Global Entrepreneurship Week Utah

From Nov. 17-23 Utah - and more than 100 countries and organizations representing millions of entrepreneurs - will celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week.