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The 2023 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey is open to participants now through May. Since 1980, the annual Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Survey has provided the philanthropic sector with the most comprehensive data on foundation staff and board compensation. Grantmakers rely on this annual report to inform budgeting, talent recruitment, retention strategies, and personnel policies and practices.

Your participation in the GSB survey is needed—the greater the participation, the greater the insights for the sector and for your fellow Philanthropy Southeast members. Through a partnership with the Council on Foundations (COF), Philanthropy Southeast provides custom salary tables for grantmakers from our region each fall (typically early October).

What are the benefits for participating organizations?

All survey participants (both COF members and non-members) will receive:

• Free access to the GSB Report
• Early access to the report’s data tables
• Access to create custom benchmark reports

Reports and data are expected to be released in fall 2023.

How can your foundation participate?

Visit the COF website to learn more and for detailed instructions on how to complete the survey.

First time completing the GSB survey?

See this page for answers to frequently asked questions as well as a list of documents you’ll need to complete the survey. The Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Survey lives in Benchmark Central. If you have never participated in a GSB Survey, email your first and last name, title, and email  address to communications@cof.org in order to obtain a Benchmark Central account. 

The deadline to complete this year’s GSB survey will be May 16, 2023. Thank you in advance for your participation!

Each month, Philanthropy Southeast provides members with monthly updates on the latest public policy developments in Washington and state capitols around the region, analyzing their possible impact on the charitable sector. If you would like to see an issue featured in a future Public Policy Update, contact Jaci Bertrand, Philanthropy Southeast's vice president of member engagement, at jaci@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Foundations on the Hill 2023 Brings Dozens of Philanthropy Southeast Members to Washington

Last month, Philanthropy Southeast members from nine states connected with policymakers in Washington during Foundations on the Hill, returning in-person for the first time since 2020.

During meetings with lawmakers and staff, foundations leaders made the case for policies that would boost the charitable sector’s ability to address critical community needs. Philanthropy Southeast members also discussed policy issues critical to their organizations’ missions and emphasized philanthropy’s ability to serve as a partner and resource throughout the year.

Before Capitol Hill meetings, attendees experienced a day of programming featuring policy experts. The Philanthropy Southeast delegation also enjoyed each other’s company during an evening reception and dinner at the Monocle restaurant, a favorite of many lawmakers and FOTH attendees alike.

One of the sectors key policy priorities, the return of the universal charitable deduction, received a big boost during FOTH when by Sens. Christopher Coons (D-Delaware) and Cory Lankford (R-Oklahoma) introduced the Charitable Act, which would provide those who do not itemize their return a charitable deduction up to one-third of the standard deduction (around $4,500 for an individual filer and around $9,000 for married joint filers).

A limited version of the universal charitable deduction was established by pandemic-relief legislation and was available in the 2020 and 2021 tax years.

The Charitable Act will continue to be a legislative priority for Philanthropy Southeast and the broader sector throughout this year – keep an eye out for opportunities to contact lawmakers and urge them to support this important bill!

Planning is now underway for this year’s Annual Meeting, taking place November 8-10 in Montgomery, Alabama. As we begin to build out our agenda, we want to hear from Philanthropy Southeast members about which topics we should explore in our breakout sessions.

Due to the cancellation of last year’s Annual Meeting, there are a few things to keep in mind about this year’s Call for Topics:

• Some topics from last year’s agenda will be considered for inclusion at the 2023 Annual Meeting. Others will be repurposed into webinars, adapted for other in-person programs – such as the Family Foundations Forum – or explored via articles on our blog or in Inspiration magazine.
• To help ensure our agenda captures the state of philanthropy today, we encourage you to submit topics focused on recent developments, new initiatives and emerging trends that have risen to prominence in the past year.
• If a topic you submit is selected, we may ask you to serve on our Annual Meeting Session Design Team to develop your idea further, recruit speakers and work with the Philanthropy Southeast staff on session logistics.

Our full agenda will include sessions focused on these four areas:

• Best & Next Practice – These topics are designed to make organizations more effective and impactful in their giving (e.g., evaluation, collaboration, diligence, reporting).
• Giving Strategies & Priorities – These topics typically focus on community issues, initiatives or programming that reflect giving priorities (e.g., education, health care).
• Governance & Leadership – These topics focus on internal operations and strategies for effective leadership and management (e.g., compliance, investments, governance, communications, staff and trustee development, recruitment and retention).
• Communities & Ecosystems – These topics focus on broad issues facing Southern communities, philanthropy, the charitable sector or society generally (e.g., demographics, public policy, next generation issues, diversity/equity, nonprofit capacity).

In addition to topics, this survey will also allow you to submit ideas for keynote and plenary speakers for this year’s meeting – we’re excited to hear your ideas!

The survey will allow you to submit up to three topics. If you have more than three topics, please send your submission to Chris Yueh, Philanthropy Southeast’s director of events and meetings, at chris@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Submissions are due Friday, February 17!

Each month, Philanthropy Southeast provides members with monthly updates on the latest public policy developments in Washington and state capitols around the region, analyzing their possible impact on the charitable sector. If you would like to see an issue featured in a future Public Policy Update, contact Jaci Bertrand, Philanthropy Southeast's vice president of member engagement, at jaci@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Foundations on the Hill 2023 Is One Month Away!

Foundations on the Hill, taking place February 27-March 1, represents your best opportunity to discuss your foundation’s work and priorities with lawmakers and their staff – and urge them to advance policies that boost philanthropy’s impact and move our region forward.

Presented in partnership with the United Philanthropy Forum, this year’s Foundations on the Hill will offer opportunities for both building relationships with lawmakers and boosting your knowledge of policy. Arrive early to take advantage of a full day of programming on February 27 or come in that evening for the official FOTH Welcome Reception ahead of two days of Hill visits. You can learn more about the agenda at the Forum’s website.

The Philanthropy Southeast staff will work with you and other attendees from your state to schedule visits on Capitol Hill and provide you with the information and materials you need to promote philanthropy’s work and priorities.

Foundations on the Hill is also a great opportunity to connect with fellow Philanthropy Southeast members who see public policy as important to their work – you’ll leave with connections from both Capitol Hill and the entire region!

Once you sign up to attend Foundations on the Hill, make sure you register for our February 16 webinar that will review our key messages for this year as well as strategies for getting the most out of your meetings on Capitol Hill!

Want to learn more about Foundations on the Hill? Check out our recent webinar, Why You Belong at Foundations on the Hill – you’ll see why it’s important to connect with policymakers and how Philanthropy Southeast will support you in Washington!

Before he officially started last month as Philanthropy Southeast’s director of meetings and events, Chris Yueh had the opportunity to engage in some early learning by attending last year’s Annual Meeting.

It was certainly a learning experience – though not the one Chris was expecting.

While the cancellation of the conference deprived Chris of the chance to see the Annual Meeting in action, he says the experience provided invaluable insights about the organization he was about to join.

“As disappointed as I was to see the cancellation of the Annual Meeting, it was evident that the Philanthropy Southeast staff, Board of Trustees, and member volunteers are among the hardest working and passionate people that I have witnessed,” he said. “It was impressive how everyone came together in support of each other to overcome an unthinkable situation.”

Now, as he turns his attention to planning the 2023 Annual Meeting and a full calendar of other programs and events, Chris says he’s focused on the members who make those convenings come alive.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always strived to look at events and meetings through the lens of the attendee,” he said. “I slowly learned that people meet to network and/or exchange ideas. What drew me to the opportunity at Philanthropy Southeast was the chance to improve the attendee experience at the Annual Meeting – to make it more engaging and experiential.”

Chris’ career includes nearly a decade of events and meeting planning. Most recently, he served as director of programs for the Atlanta Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Over the holidays, the latest issue of Philanthropy Southeast's Inspiration magazine was mailed to each of our member organizations, as well as Hull Fellows alumni. If you haven't had the chance to read the print copy, you can access a PDF copy now at our Inspiration archive page.

Highlights of our Winter 2022 issue include:

• The story of the cancellation of the 2022 Annual Meeting and how it provided an example of Philanthropy Southeast living its values while offering important lessons, perspective and inspiration for the future.
• An in-depth look at the Healthcare Georgia Foundation's Two Georgias Initiative, winner of the 2022 Truist Promise Award. The initiative made a sustained commitment to rural health equity while working with partners throughout the state.
• Highlights of Leading With Courage: Reshaping Southern Philanthropy for a New Era, a new report from Philanthropy Southeast that explores the people and ideas transforming the giving landscape and communities throughout the region.
• A spotlight on the exhibitors for the 2022 Annual Meeting. Thank you to all our exhibitors for their support!

As usual, Inspiration also includes a letter from President & CEO Janine Lee, a review of the latest hirings and promotions in the region, and a list of the newest Philanthropy Southeast members.

You can access this issue, and previous issues, now on our Inspiration archive.

Philanthropy Southeast’s online Research Library is regularly updated with the latest reports relevant to Southern philanthropy. Members can browse over 500 research reports, websites, case studies, and other resources we have cultivated to help funders stay abreast of trends in the field and learn about emerging best practices in philanthropy. 

Below are some of the key findings and highlights of the newest additions to the Research Library. If you would like to suggest a resource or have other feedback, contact Stephen Sherman, Philanthropy Southeast’s Director of Research and Data, at stephen@philanthropysoutheast.org or (404) 524-0911.

Giving Big: The Impact of Large, Unrestricted Gifts on Nonprofits: Results from Year One of a Three-Year Study of MacKenzie Scott’s Giving
Center for Effective Philanthropy (2022)

In late July 2020, MacKenzie Scott made the shocking announcement that she had given $1.7 billion to 116 nonprofit organizations. The gifts came in the form of large, unrestricted grants with few reporting requirements. CEP has undertaken a three-year research study examining the impact of these large, unrestricted gifts on the recipient organizations. The study shows that these gifts have been transformational for the organizations and their leadership. The recipient nonprofits have used funds to increase their capacity and expand their existing work. A majority believe that the gifts are bringing them closer to achieving their mission, have strengthened their organization’s financial stability, and expanded their long-term organizational capacity. Despite concerns about the recipients’ ability to absorb such large gifts, few organizations have reported any challenges or disruptions to their work as a result of the contributions.

This year's Annual Meeting was going to feature the presentation of the 2022 Truist Promise Award to the Healthcare Georgia Foundation for its Two Georgias Initiative, a five-year effort to address health inequities in rural Georgia. Due to the meeting's cancellation, our award presentation could not take place. However, we still want to put a spotlight on this incredible work – below is the article about the Two Georgias Initiative that will run in the upcoming issue of our Inspiration magazine, arriving in late December or early January. Congratulations to the Healthcare Georgia Foundation for its inspiring work!

Foundations face daunting challenges when they attempt to improve the health of people living in rural communities.

Communities located far from metro areas often lack ready access to medical care. Many are virtual food deserts and are chronically short on resources and funding for schools, libraries, social services and transportation options.

Healthcare Georgia Foundation in Atlanta identified these challenges and took them head on – in a big and bold way.

In 2017, the foundation launched the Two Georgias Initiative, an ambitious five-year project to identify and address systemic inequities that, in essence, had created two Georgias divided between better- resourced metro areas and often-forgotten rural communities.

The initiative focused on delivering funding and robust resources to support 11 rural Georgia coalitions to address the most vexing challenges within their communities, ranging from the opioid crisis and high incidence of diabetes, to establishing literacy and education efforts and pursuing economic development initiatives.

Now formally concluded, the initiative produced physical results in the form of new health clinics, food banks, basketball courts, fitness trails, and satellite libraries as well as innovative programming to encourage greater health literacy, educational achievement and effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Woven throughout was an emphasis on building a greater awareness and understanding of equity and how long- standing systemic challenges have often further held rural communities back.

Adding to the challenge was the fact that the foundation’s efforts to address rural health equity came at a time of intense change and challenge – a period that included the reckoning on racial justice sparked by the murder of George Floyd and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Equity was the north star throughout the Initiative,” said Lisa Medellin, Healthcare Georgia Foundation’s director of programs. “Often, programming similar to this can have equity as a side issue or as an extension. We put equity at the center and really leaned in on that – and I think that was hugely beneficial to the communities for their growth on their equity journey.”

In recognition of this groundbreaking work, Philanthropy Southeast recently named Healthcare Georgia Foundation as the winner of the Truist Promise Award. The award, Philanthropy Southeast’s top annual honor, recognizes an initiative or innovative grantmaking strategy or approach that is focused on significant and systemic issues facing the region and the country.

Each month, Philanthropy Southeast provides members with monthly updates on the latest public policy developments in Washington and state capitols around the region, analyzing their possible impact on the charitable sector. If you would like to see an issue featured in a future Public Policy Update, contact Jaci Bertrand, Philanthropy Southeast's vice president of member engagement, at jaci@philanthropysoutheast.org.

Foundations on the Hill Returns In-Person – Register Today!

Registration for next year’s Foundations on the Hill is now open – and for the first time since 2020, it will be an in-person event in Washington!

Foundations on the Hill, taking place February 27-March 1, represents your best opportunity to discuss your foundation’s work and priorities with lawmakers and their staff – and urge them to advance policies that boost philanthropy’s impact and move our region forward.

Presented in partnership with the United Philanthropy Forum, this year’s Foundations on the Hill will offer opportunities for both building relationships with lawmakers and boosting your knowledge of policy. Arrive early to take advantage of a full day of programming on February 27 or come in that evening for the official FOTH Welcome Reception ahead of two days of Hill visits. You can learn more about the agenda at the Forum’s website.

The Philanthropy Southeast staff will work with you and other attendees from your state to schedule visits on Capitol Hill and provide you with the information and materials you need to promote philanthropy’s work and priorities.

Foundations on the Hill is also a great opportunity to connect with fellow Philanthropy Southeast members who see public policy as important to their work – you’ll leave with connections from both Capitol Hill and the entire region!

You can register to attend Foundations on the Hill now, but if you’d like to learn more, sign up for our January 18 webinar, Why You Should Attend FOTH in 2023. You’ll hear from our team and from members who will discuss how Foundations on the Hill – and outreach to lawmakers – helps them boost the impact of their giving.

We hope you can join us next year in Washington to help amplify the voice of Southern philanthropy!

Due to the cancellation of this year's Annual Meeting, we were unable to convene our Business Meeting, where we review the highlights of the past year, receive updates on finances and governance, and vote to elect new members to the Philanthropy Southeast Board of Trustees.

Instead, we will conduct this year's Business Meeting online, allowing all Philanthropy Southeast members to attend! Please join us at 1:00pm ET on Tuesday, December 13, as we meet to review the past year and prepare for a successful 2023!

Our agenda will include:

I. Year in Review
Janine Lee, President & CEO, Philanthropy Southeast

II. Financial Update
Jen Algire, Philanthropy Southeast Secretary-Treasurer and President & CEO, The Greater Clark Foundation

III. Governance Update & Election of Trustees
Philanthropy Southeast Governance Chair and President, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust

IV. Chair's Closing Reflections
Philanthropy Southeast Board Chair and Co-Founder, Ujima Legacy Fund

Even if you cannot attend the Business Meeting, we encourage you to vote on this year's slate of nominees to the Philanthropy Southeast Board. Cast your vote online now!