WINGS Forum 2010 Innovation and Impact: The Role of Grantmaker Associations in Changing Society

1. WINGSForum 2010 Innovation and Impact: The Role of Grantmaker Associations in Changing Society November18 - 20, 2010 Association of Slovak Community Foundations Advocacy: Vital Endeavor or Necessary Evil?

2. slovakia facts and figures Slovak Republic- the „best kept secret“ in Europe • Facts • History • Economy • Public administration Philanthropy and the non-profit sector • Giving traditions • Environment for philanthropy • Philanthropic organizations

3. Association of Slovak Community Foundations • Mission – umbrella organization • To represent community foundations • To advocate for community foundations and philanthropy • To partner with national corporate donors • To network members and provide information and guidance AKNS was created in February 2003, and has nine members at the moment. ActivitiesPromotion of community foundations, community philanthropyPrograms, ongoing consultancy and support, promotion of givingAdvocacy – identified as priority in 2010 as a part of New Topics in the Association of Community Foundations Project, 2009 – 2012, funded by C. S. Mott Foundation

4. Advocacy AKNS • WHAT • Issue of language ? • Activities directed at raising people’s engagement into public affairs and making people’s voice better heard. • Voter mobilization • Encouragement and support for development of volunteer – based initiatives and non – profit organizations, and helping to improve the environment they operate in • Promotion of democracy - fighting legacy of a post- socialistic country’s history marked by poor civic engagement and patriotism

5. Advocacy AKNS • WHY • Priority issue in 2010 – narrowed down to legislation issues • Reasons • Overall negative attitude towards non – profit organizations, mainly those guarding funds • Two cases of major injustice done to member foundations • Development of relevant legislation going from bad to worse • Elections in 2010 – external factor which could be promising • Natural part of the portfolio of activities of a member service organization • Investment into the future

6. Advocacy AKNS HOW Planning – how to enter this area with the current capacity and under the current conditions Training - PDCS Assessment - analysis of legislative environment for foundations, impact of new policies – SDF Identification of 3 topics: collection of funds for public benefit should be considered a charitable activity, Tax incentives, EU funds made more accessible. Additional : bequests. Action taken: organization of round tables to open the topics and find partners. Bequests – raising awareness campaign.

7. Advocacy AKNS • WHO • AKNS internal human resources • Members: involvement into all planned activities • Coordination team: to coordinate, provide logistical services and prepare PR campaign • Partners • PDCS, Slovak Donors Forum, partners at the first round table: OSF, CF, CpF, Intenda, Ekopolis, … • to provide expertise and to add recognition • to partner with AKNS in future undertakings

8. Advocacy AKNS TO WHAT SUCCESS Planning and training – development of members’ skills and capacity for a joint action Assessment – current information available, and also provided to other organizations Identification of 3 topics: gathering members and possibly partners around one or more of widely felt issues. Identification of new partners. Action taken: remains to be seen but partners’ interest is promising

9. ConclusionAKNS Vital endeavour or necessary evil?

10. .thank you. Katarina Minarova minarova@asociaciakns.sk Asociácia komunitných nadácií Slovenska - Association of Slovak Community Foundations www.asociaciakns.sk