GIA Blog

A summary of the Council on Foundations presentation, ““New Agenda/Harsh Realities: Opportunities for Foundations to Step Up in 2009” in On Philanthropy. The economic downturn has hit the nonprofit world hard and foundations are struggling as well. How do they … Continue reading →

Some cities have funder networks that meet regularly. These groups are becoming more important and are developing joint programming, if they weren’t doing it already. Studies, loan funds, pooled funds are only a few ideas that are becoming realities. As funders, sometimes your work can seem isolated. GIA encourages grantmakers in the arts to meet regularly with their peers, from all sectors of giving. We are in a time where collective thought and collaboration will bring about new ideas and restored optimism.

Editorial by Judith H. Dobrzynski in The Daily Beast. “Memo to President Obama, from the arts world: This is not what we had in mind. During the campaign, candidate Obama raised high hopes among artists and arts institutions: He “got” … Continue reading →

A new bill pending in the Senate is designed to simplify the tax code for private foundations and encourage them to give more money to charity as the recession continues. The bill, S 676, would change the way foundations pay … Continue reading →

Thursday, 3-26-09, the Senate approved HR 1388, a bill that would greatly expand federally sponsored volunteer programs, marking the latest collaboration between Massachusetts Democrat Ted Kennedy and Utah Republican Orrin Hatch. Known as the Serve America Act, the Kennedy-Hatch bill … Continue reading →

“Washington continues to be consumed by economic turmoil, but cultural professionals say they are cautiously optimistic about the future of the arts under President Obama. Among the positive signs: The $50 million in stimulus money going to the National Endowment … Continue reading →

GIA board member John Killacky, San Francisco Foundation.

Three senators introduced legislation Tuesday intended to encourage foundations to give away more of their money. The measure would change the way foundations are taxed on their investment income, replacing the current two-tiered system with a single tax rate. Foundations … Continue reading →

This from the November 5, 1999 New York Times. ”Today Congress voted to update the rules that have governed financial services since the Great Depression and replace them with a system for the 21st century,” Treasury Secretary Lawrence H. Summers … Continue reading →

In seeking a competitive edge, several states are incorporating arts and cultural exchanges in their economic development approaches. The arts are a potent force in the economic life of cities and rural areas nationwide. Many states have invested in the … Continue reading →