Like last year’s well received convening, “Real Talk About Real Costs” on Tuesday, March 12, will bring together the funders, nonprofits, and advisors who belong to Donors Forum to have real dialogue and develop practical solutions to obstacles that stand in the way of effectiveness in our field.  In collaboration with The Bridgespan Group, we will tackle a controversial issue that has never been addressed collectively in our sector: the perception of overhead costs and the deleterious impact this mindset wreaks on nonprofit sustainability.  Our intention at this event is to examine the mythology that overhead costs are something to be minimized and somehow less worthy of support than costs deemed programmatic.

 Ann Goggins Gregory, Senior Director, Knowledge, The Bridgespan Group and co-author of the seminal article “The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle” in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, which sparked this national conversation, will present and provide context.  She will be joined by  Antony Bugg-Levine, CEO, Nonprofit Finance Fund.  Donors Forum constituents, including participants of our Communities of Practice  will share stories about how this issue affects their organizations.  Small-group discussion will take place throughout the event about the true, fully-loaded cost of delivering strong outcomes.  With the analysis from national experts, data gathered from a pre-event research survey, and the knowledge and experience from our diverse community, we hope to develop ideas for needed resources and tools that can lead to change.   So, if you’re a funder, nonprofit, or advisor who belongs to Donors Forum watch your email for registration information – it’s only $45. 

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of joining Donors Forum, including invitations to events like this, please download or review this brochure, visit www.donorsforum.org/join, or call us at 888—578-0090 and ask to speak to someone about the benefits of joining.

Engage 2013: Real Talk About Real Costs–Donors Forum's Second Convening of Members, Partners, & Associate Members

Tuesday, March 12, 2013
The Standard Club of Chicago, 320 South Plymouth Court, Chicago
Program, 2:30 pm-5 pm, Reception with beverages and hors d’oeuvres, 5-7 pm