VPPNews

Leap of Reason, One Year Later

One year ago, it just didn't seem possible.

But with over 40,000 copies in circulation, the messages of the book Leap of Reason—released one year ago this month—appear to be spreading and taking hold in the nonprofit, public, and corporate sectors. According to the National Council of Nonprofits, "the book has hit a home run in the nonprofit community."

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VPP Announces Leslie Aun as New Vice President of Communications

This month VPP announced that Leslie Aun will join its team as Vice President of Communications. At VPP, Aun will head communications efforts as VPP begins a new phase of work to improve the lives of children and youth in the National Capital Region. Aun will work closely with VPP’s leadership to develop and implement strategies to increase the impact of VPP’s investments.

A seasoned communications professional whose career spans the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, she most recently served as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, where she led the organization’s communications and marketing initiatives. She developed a global public relations strategy across online and interactive media—including branding, advertising, executive communications and events—to drive engagement, awareness and support for the organization’s mission.

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Mario Morino

Doubling Down on Leadership in an Era of Scarcity

Note: The following column is adapted from a speech (video, text) I gave on April 27 at the City Club of Cleveland. This speech was especially meaningful for me, because of the esteem I had for this “citadel of free speech” when I was growing up on the other side of the tracks.

The City Club is only five miles from my childhood home. But for all practical purposes it was in a different world. My dad sold vacuum sweepers door to door and drove a cab. My mom cleaned offices.

Looking back on it, there’s no question I grew up poor. I just didn’t know it.

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Leap of Reason, One Year Later

One year ago, it just didn't seem possible.

But with over 40,000 copies in circulation, the messages of the book Leap of Reason—released one year ago this month—appear to be spreading and taking hold in the nonprofit, public, and corporate sectors. According to the National Council of Nonprofits, "the book has hit a home run in the nonprofit community."

Its core message is that in an era of scarcity, nonprofits will need to do more, at a lower cost, in order to compete effectively for public and private funding. To meet this daunting challenge, nonprofits and enlightened funders will need to dig deep to invest in building great leadership and high-performance institutions.

VPP Chairman Mario Morino, author of the book's core monograph, said he decided to write Leap of Reason to advocate for the nonprofit sector to focus more on performance. He sees the system as setting nonprofits up for struggle and starvation, not for solving challenges. Funders, board members, and civic leaders need to support nonprofits to build strong, high-performance organizations, instead of causing them to act incrementally—month to month and hand to mouth. The consequence of the status quo, Morino says in the book, is that so many nonprofits are operating without clarity on what they do, leading to diminished results and wasted resources in a time when budgets are tight and the need for nonprofit services has increased.

"A friend of mine told me, ‘The book is o.k. The timing is great,'” said Morino. "There’s a lot of truth to that. This era of scarcity is forcing leaders to be introspective about their mission, their approaches, and their performance.”

Morino candidly approaches these issues, which has resonated with readers and leaders in the nonprofit sector.

"In this environment of shrinking dollars and increasing complexity, Leap of Reason provides an excellent road map to help social sector executives focus on the highest and best use of their precious resources," said Kim Wright-Violich, former president of Schwab Charitable. "Without the disciplined approach [it] outlines, it will be almost impossible for nonprofits to make meaningful progress and, frankly, tell their story effectively.”

University professors have also begun to use the book as a part of their curriculum, and Morino and members of the VPP team have presented on themes from the book in various class settings. Because Morino's core monograph is supplemented by essays from experts and practitioners from the field, including three VPP investment partners, Leap of Reason gives students an intimate look into nonprofit management. Plus, college professors and students are quite attracted to its price tag: free.

“I have included Leap of Reason on the syllabus for my graduate course on nonprofit management, because it provides critical information about performance management in a straightforward, thoughtful, and compelling way," said Alan J. Abramson, Director, Center for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, and Policy, George Mason University.

Nonprofits themselves have used the book in a multitude of different ways. Judy Vredenburgh, President and CEO of Girls Inc., said the book is becoming the organization's "Bible." The American Institutes for Research now uses it as a guide for evaluation work with schools and districts around the nation. Playworks used it to help create measurements for impact.

Corporate leaders, government officials, and grantmakers have found use for the book as well. The Saint Luke's Foundation used Leap of Reason to make significant changes in the organization.

"The release of Leap of Reason could not have come at a better time for Saint Luke’s Foundation," said its President and CEO, Denise San Antonio Zeman. "We have used [the] book to inform a complete re-design of our approach to grantmaking and outcomes/learning."

Because the book resonated at a board level, a package of information specifically for nonprofit boards was developed. Several other products that build on the book's themes were created, including a report on a Leap of Reason-inspired conference at the Urban Institute and a video that summarizes the book’s key themes.

Essay author Isaac Castillo, former Director of Evaluation at Latin American Youth Center, now a senior researcher at Child Trends, recognizes the importance of the book and the need for its advice to be adopted even further:

"My work, both at the Latin American Youth Center and now at Child Trends, has shown me how essential this conversation is if we want to strengthen our sector," he said. "Without effective data management, nonprofits do a disservice to their clients."

Most recently, Morino presented at the City Club of Cleveland, elaborating on Leap of Reason's core themes. He stated that in this era of scarcity, instead of leveling across-the-board cuts, we should go much deeper with our support for those leaders who are relentless in pursuit of high performance for those they serve.

Copies of Leap of Reason are available for free on LeapofReason.org in multiple electronic and hard copy formats. If you are interested in sending copies of the book to your network, please email info@leapofreason.org.

VPP Announces Leslie Aun as New Vice President of Communications

Leslie Aun

This month VPP announced that Leslie Aun will join its team as Vice President of Communications. At VPP, Aun will head communications efforts as VPP begins a new phase of work to improve the lives of children and youth in the National Capital Region. Aun will work closely with VPP’s leadership to develop and implement strategies to increase the impact of VPP’s investments.

A seasoned communications professional whose career spans the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, she most recently served as the Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, where she led the organization’s communications and marketing initiatives. She developed a global public relations strategy across online and interactive media—including branding, advertising, executive communications and events—to drive engagement, awareness and support for the organization’s mission.

"Leslie is a tremendous addition to the VPP team," said President and CEO Carol Thompson Cole. "As we continue to advance our work in the region for even greater impact, the implementation of effective communications strategies will be essential. Her experience gives us the ability to leverage our work in the community and bring together all those in the region that care about making a difference for children and youth."

Previously, Aun served as Vice President of Communications for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and was the Managing Director for Earth Hour USA, the largest global environmental event in history in which 90 million Americans took part to express concern about climate change. Her work at WWF was recognized by the Public Relations Society of America with its Silver Anvil, the most prestigious award in the field of public relations. Prior to the WWF, she was Chief Communications Officer for Special Olympics. Her career has included communications roles within a variety of companies including MCI Communications and Sodexo.

“VPP has a strong history of helping high performing organizations secure the financial infusions and management counsel necessary for them to attain better outcomes for children and youth," said Richard Hanlon, VPP investor and former Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, AOL Time Warner Inc. "Leslie's expertise, relationships and experience will help VPP build on its success and take advantage of new opportunities to support even more children and youth in our region."

Aun began her career as a print and broadcast journalist in Washington D.C. She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia, and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Public Relations at Georgetown University.

Watch Nonprofit Leaders Discuss Innovation and Collaboration

youthCONNECT, VPP's pioneering collaborative initiative, recently completed its first year of results. The youthCONNECT network is made up of six high-performing nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving the youth of the National Capital Region, and over the past year, the leaders from the network have had several opportunities to speak publically about youthCONNECT's progress and the importance of collaboration. You can now watch highlights from those events on VPP's YouTube channel.

These videos touch on many important topics for the nonprofit sector. You can learn more about the need for changing systems, how youthCONNECT brings funders together, the impact the network has on the lives of youth, and much more. You can also subscribe to the channel to receive additional videos as they are posted.

The youthCONNECT network combines federal funding, philanthropic resources, and the experience of nonprofit service providers to improve education, employment, and healthy behavior outcomes for low-income and at-risk youth, ages 14-24, in the National Capital Region. With support from the Social Innovation Fund (SIF), and other corporate and philanthropic funders, VPP has invested in a transformative network providing a continuum of services. Partners in the network coordinate closely to serve more youth better than they could alone. All organizations will evaluate programs individually and as a network to increase the body of knowledge and evidence on what works.

Currently, youthCONNECT is undergoing a strategic planning process, which is being facilitated by the Monitor Institute. Look for updates on the network's strategic action plan soon!

New Tool Released to Measure Nonprofit Financial Health

GuideStar and the Nonprofit Finance Fund recently released a new tool for assessing a nonprofit organization's finances. The tool, Financial SCAN, gives a picture of a nonprofit's financial health, using dashboards and charts, and provides context for the information the tool presents.

This is an efficient way for grantmakers and donors to assess financial information, as it automatically populates metrics from tax returns and allows the user to compare multiple organizations at once. GuideStar and the Nonprofit Finance Fund also offer the tool at a discounted rate to the nonprofit organizations themselves to give them the opportunity to run a report on their own organization.

To learn more about Financial SCAN, visit the GuideStar website.

AALEAD students Get Involved in 23rd Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup

Thanks to Rick Chen, Director of Development and Communications, for this update.

On the morning of Saturday, April 14th, over 50 AALEAD students, mentors, volunteers and staff members gathered to participate in the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s 23rd Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup at Theodore Roosevelt Island. AALEAD’s elementary school students had spent time learning about Water Conservation issues, including the importance of maintaining watersheds, through their participation in the National Environmental Education Foundation’s “Be Water Wise DC” program. The event was a way for students to take action in response to some of what they had been learning this year.

AALEAD students learn about conservation before park clean-up

After receiving gloves and trash bags, students listened to a brief introduction to the park by Ranger Miguel. Students then quickly got to work picking up trash. After several hours of collecting, all participants gathered back together for a well-earned lunch and to spend some time reflecting on the cleanup, the importance of preserving our watersheds and parks, and how to encourage others to take good care of community parks and watersheds. Students wrote that it was important to keep parks and watersheds clean because this would “keep animals safe” and because “litter can contaminate our drinking water.” Suggestions for raising awareness included writing about the issue online, taking pictures, making videos, writing letters, and setting an example of themselves as role-models.

FBR Robotics Team Competes at FIRST LEGO Competition

Thanks to Morgan Crooks, Communications Manager, for this update.

The Boys and Girls Club branch FBR @THEARC Robotics team competed in the FIRST LEGO League competition during the week of April 2nd. This Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) initiative provided students with a hands-on, interactive robotics program in a sports-like atmosphere.

The robotics team received their trophy on Sunday, April 15th

The Robotics team improved their standings from last year, and finished in the top 50% (out of 63 teams). Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington President & CEO, Pandit F. Wright, who attended the Saturday competition said, "I am incredibly proud of this team, the parents who supported them and the dedication of our staff and volunteer coach, Mr. Curtis Roberts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. We are passionate about making opportunities in STEM available to our members because we know how important it is for their own futures and to our country!"

The Robotics team received their Trophy at SportRock Climbing in Alexandria, VA. The team gave a special thank you to JC Penney who served as the team sponsor.

CFNC Preschool Teachers Earn P.E.O. Scholarships

Thanks to Alison Doherty, Development Associate, for this update.

Arnita Willis and Erica Moten with Sharon Shackelford

The Child and Family Network Centers is proud of teachers Arnita Willis and Erica Moten for receiving sizable scholarships for continued education from the philanthropic organization P.E.O. In April, P.E.O Chapter J President, Cindy Brack, and Projects Chair, Sharon Hanes, visited CFNC’s Birchmere location to present Arnita and Erica with scholarship checks. With its mission to celebrate, educate and motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations, P.E.O. is a natural match for helping support CFNC teachers continue their training and education.

CFNC believes strongly in hiring teachers from the community we serve. Over half of CFNC’s lead teachers are parents of former CFNC students who have obtained their Child Development Associates (CDA) credential and are working toward their Associates or Bachelors Degree. In 2011, CFNC teachers completed an average of 55 hours of professional development and training, far exceeding the 16 professional development hours required by Virginia State licensing standards.

Sharon Shackelford, CFNC Director of Education, attended the check presentation and commented, “These women work so hard. They have full-time jobs, go to school to get their degrees, and have children at home. I don’t know how they do it and manage to make all A’s.”

CentroNia’s Students Celebrate “El Día de los Niños” with Senator Menendez

Thanks to Laura Anduze, Director of Communications, for this update.

Forty second-graders from CentroNía’s DC Bilingual Public Charter School (DCBPCS) celebrated "El Día de los Niños” (Children’s Day) with U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force last month. During the event, coordinated by the National Latino Children's Institute (NLCI) and held in the Capitol building, Menendez discussed the importance of giving children the tools they need to be successful and productive adults, including quality early childhood education and adequate health care. After finishing his remarks, Menendez read a short story to DCBPCS students who attentively sat on the Senate floor for their fourth consecutive year as special guests to this event.

Senator Menendez (D-NJ) reads a story to CentroNía’s DCBPCS students at “El Día de los Niños” celebration

"El Día de los Niños", observed on April 30th, was created by NLCI to recognize the importance of investing in our children as the center of our families and our country's future generation.

“We thank NLCI for inviting our students to this wonderful event and we are grateful to Senator Menendez for introducing a resolution to mark the celebration of this important date by declaring it a national commemorative day”, said Myrna Peralta, CentroNía’s President and CEO. “By doing so, he has made it a priority to increase access to affordable education and health care services for the Hispanic children in this country.”

Click here to read the resolution. (PDF)

College Summit Founder Featured in Documentary

Thanks to Vinette Brown, Director of Development, for this update.

College Summit Founder and CEO, J.B. Schramm, was featured in the recently released film, FIRST GENERATION. Narrated by Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, the film tells the story of four high school students - an inner city athlete, a small town waitress, a Samoan warrior dancer, and the daughter of migrant field workers - who set out to break the cycle of poverty and bring hope to their families and communities by pursuing a college education. Shot over the course of three years and featuring some of our nation’s top educational experts (Richard Kahlenberg, The Century Foundation; J.B. Schramm, College Summit; and Dr. Bill Tierney, University of Southern California), this documentary explores the problem of college access faced by first generation and low-income students and how their success has major implications for the future of our nation.

Chef Spike Plants a Good Stuff Garden at KIPP DC’s Shaw Campus

Thanks to Lindsay Kelly, Communications Manager, for this update.

This spring, Chef Spike Mendelsohn of Top Chef and Iron Chef fame planted a Good Stuff Garden at KIPP DC’s Shaw Campus. Chef Spike started Good Stuff Gardens to demonstrate to young students that healthy eating is fun, easy, and important. After being inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign, Chef Spike realized the role that he could play in educating students and families about healthier lifestyles.

Chef Spike Mendelsohn in the Good Stuff Garden

After a successful Good Stuff Garden planting at KIPP DC’s Benning Road Campus, Chef Spike partnered with dc greenworks and Organic Mechanics to plant four planter boxes in front of KIPP DC’s Shaw Campus. KIPPsters from Grow and WILL Academy were on-hand to plant vegetables, fruits, and herbs and to learn about gardening. Once the plants are fully grown, Chef Spike will return to host an interactive cooking demonstration for students and families.

Latin American Youth Center Names Tony Fujs Director of Learning and Evaluation

Thanks to Araceli Curiel Rosenberger, Communications Specialist/ Grant Writer, for this update.

The Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) has named Tony Fujs as its new Director of Learning and Evaluation.

Mr. Fujs, who had previously served as a Learning and Evaluation Specialist at LAYC for one year, will be responsible for supporting information-based decision making and improving organizational performance. Mr. Fujs has broad experience in research methods, monitoring and evaluation, and quantitative analysis. He will oversee all internal research and evaluation activities at the LAYC. In addition, he is responsible for the oversight of LAYC’s external evaluation projects including the randomized control trial of the Promotor/Navigator Re-Connection Pathway, part of Venture Philanthropy Partners' youthCONNECT investment, funded in part by the Social Innovation Fund.

Tony Fujs

Mr. Fujs’ vision for the Learning and Evaluation department involves strengthening the working relationship with all LAYC program staff to share information and ensure its effective use in the decision making process. Under Mr. Fujs’ leadership, LAYC plans to focus on the shared learning involved in the use of data to improve all programmatic outcomes for young people.

“After one year on the Learning and Evaluation team, I am so pleased that Tony has stepped up to take on this new leadership role. He has demonstrated diligence, commitment and skill in all his work. He works so well with all staff and has a comprehensive understanding of what LAYC has accomplished to date. With his exciting vision it is evident that we will build off our past accomplishments, while continuing to lead the way in the use of data to improve our outcomes for the thousands of youth we support annually,” noted Lori Kaplan, LAYC President & CEO.

Prior to joining LAYC, Mr. Fujs worked for the United Nations Development Program and the German Cooperation, conducting evaluation and analysis of social and cooperation policies in Latin America.

Mr. Fujs holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance from the University of Nantes and a Master of Science Economics from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne.

A Success Story from Urban Alliance Youth

Thanks to Sean Segal, Chief of Staff, for this update.

Many high school seniors are preparing for prom and responding to colleges. Urban Alliance Interns are doing the same, but also continuing to work part time in professional settings, while maintaining good grades, and finalizing their post-high school plans. Eric Moreno is one of more than 140 Interns in the Urban Alliance High School Internship Program managing these responsibilities. Eric interns at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). As a Student Youth Ambassador, he helps passengers navigate through the airport and greets travelers from around the world. His hard work and excellent customer service has been noticed by the US Customs and Border Patrol, whose office is next to the MWAA Office. They have offered him a salaried training position upon graduation and his completion of the summer portion of the Urban Alliance High School Internship Program. Eric is undecided as to whether to take the opportunity or not, but is honored by the offer. His program coordinator and mentor are incredibly impressed with the strides he has made since starting his internship and are confident that his participation has placed him in a position that will continue to open doors for him.

Urban Alliance is currently accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year. Apply here!