NCFBP - 6th National Conference




				The Sixth National Conference on Black Philanthropy "Philanthropy and the Covenant with Black America" Washington, DC June 27-29, 2007 Crystal Gateway Marriott 1700 Jefferson Davis Highway Arlington, Virginia 22202 (703) 920-3230 The group rate per night for the conference is: $165 singles and doubles $175 for triples and quads .A limited number of upgrades to junior suites are currently available at an additional fee of $50 per night. Online Reservations can be made at www.marriott.com. Remember to enter the following reservation code: BCKBCKA. ------------------- Conference Theme "Philanthropy and the Covenant with Black America" The Covenant with Black America is a collection of essays by African Americans that examines issues such as education, health care and judicial disparities through facts and suggestions for action. It is a roadmap toward a plan of action to address the primary concerns of Black America today. Published by Third World Press, Inc., the nation’s oldest independent African American book publisher, The Covenant is the first non-fiction book by a black publisher to reach and top the best-seller list. The book debuted in the #6 spot of the New York Times’ best seller list, following its February release and went on to be the #1 nonfiction, paperback book in America (New York Times Book Review, April 23, 2006). With an “Introduction” by Tavis Smiley and a “Statement of Purpose” by Marian Wright Edelman, ten very distinguished African American scholars and activists examine important areas of African American life in the America of 2005. While the statistics presented in these chapters are often grim, The Covenant offers a roadmap and “a reminder that it is our responsibility as an entire community to ensure that no mother, father, or child be left behind politically, socially or economically.” Each chapter begins with an essay that gives an overview of the current state of Black America in health, education, criminal justice, housing, etc. The essays are followed by a summary of the type of disquieting statistics we are all familiar with: for example, nearly one-third—32 percent—of African Americans do not have a regular doctor. By contrast, only 20 percent of white Americans do not have a regular doctor ( ); or, one out of every three black males born today can expect to go to prison in his lifetime ( ). The statistical descriptions are then followed by a series of comprehensive recommendations on concrete steps that a variety of audiences—the “community,” “every individual,” and “every leader and elected official”—can implement to improve the quality of black life today. Each chapter also gives examples of outstanding models already being practiced throughout the country. One subject and one audience not addressed in any way in The Covenant is philanthropy, black or otherwise. Philanthropy, representing billions of dollars annually in charitable giving, can be considered as both a solution to as well as part of the problem. Philanthropy is already a partner in funding some of the model programs mentioned in The Covenant. But at the same time, grant-making to African American organizations, as well as other racial and ethnic minorities, has sharply declined over the past decade and stood at only 3 percent of all such grant-making in 2002 ( ). And while African Americans as a group may be the most generous of all racial-ethnic groups, the perception persists that we are not doing nearly enough to support our own institutions. What, then, is the role of philanthropy in responding to The Covenant with Black America? How can we increase overall funding to the Black community? What models of strategic partnerships now exist between funders and the Black community or need to be developed? How can the Black community increase its own giving and use its own resources more strategically? How can nonprofit organizations serving the Black community become more effective in addressing the issues in The Covenant? How can African Americans effectively engage young people in philanthropy? These are just some of the questions that the Sixth National Conference on Black Philanthropy will address. We invite you to help us explore these and other questions during the conference. Conference Goals Focusing on the above theme, the goals of the conference are to: A. Develop common solutions and strategies that demonstrate how African-American philanthropy in the areas of individual giving, grant-making, fund-raising and faith-based philanthropy can address the various social, economic and other problems that continue to afflict the Black community today; B. Provide a forum for candid and confidential sharing of information and resources among African Americans in philanthropy; C. Provide opportunities for personal and professional growth and development of African Americans in philanthropy; D. Continue efforts to educate the public and selected stakeholders about African American philanthropy; D. Develop effective strategies to involve young people in understanding and practicing philanthropy; and F. Promote the development and goals of The National Center for Black Philanthropy, Inc. Program Tuesday Exhibitors’ set-up “Hands-on Philanthropy Day” This is a special project that was first introduced at the Fifth National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2005. On the day before the conference opened, nearly 50 volunteers from among conference attendees worked for several hours at one of 6 nonprofit organizations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Volunteers did everything from reading to children, to helping in a food kitchen, to assisting with a large special event. This highly successful program will be repeated at this conference. We are pleased to announce that the *Black Philanthropic Alliance of Washington, DC* will be our partners in putting on this program. As part of the registration process, you will be asked to donate 3-4 hours of your time to work in a community project performing duties like those described above or other tasks like painting a community facility, cleaning a playground, volunteering in a soup kitchen or homeless shelter, and the like. People unable to donate time will be encouraged to donate money which will be presented in the name of conference attendees to one or more of the community organizations in which the volunteers will be working. Pre-Conference Workshops: Since their introduction at the Second National Conference in Oakland, California in 1999, these workshops, which last about 3 - 4 hours or more in length, have proven to be very popular components of the conference. They will be continued. During the Fifth National Conference in 2005, these workshops covered topics that included helping religious organizations better understand the law and their fiduciary responsibilities, how nonprofit organizations can develop for-profit business ventures, how to develop organizational endowments, and how just about anyone can become a philanthropist. We are currently developing the pre-conference workshops for 2007. Wednesday All times are approximate. Opening Session 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Concurrent Workshops (30) 10:30 A.M. - 12:00 Noon Keynote Lunch 12:30 Noon - 2:00 P.M. Distinguished Speakers Series 2:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. Local Trip 4:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. Welcome Reception 8:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. Thursday Prayer Breakfast 8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Concurrent Workshops 10:30 A.M. - 12:00 Noon Round Table Lunch 12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. Distinguished Panel 2:30 P.M. - 4:15 P.M. Informal Networking 4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. Local Trip 4:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M. Back Business and Philanthropy Program 7:30 P.M. - 9:00 P.M. (by invitation only) Friday Concurrent Sessions 10:00 A.M. - 11:30 Noon Closing Plenary Lunch 12:00 P.M. - 1:15 P.M. Awards Ceremony Reception 7:00 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. Awards Ceremony 8:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. Entertainment 10:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M. The Awards ceremony has been part of every conference since the first one in Philadelphia in 1997. During this time, the National Center has honored individuals and organizations for outstanding achievements in philanthropy. Awards are given out in five categories: Special Achievement in Philanthropy by an Organization, Special Achievement in Philanthropy by an Individual, Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy, Special Achievement in Philanthropy by a Youth, and Philanthropist of the Year. In summary, the conference will include: Concurrent Workshops (30-40) on the six major Learning Tracks: Individual Giving, Grant-making, Fundraising, Faith-based Philanthropy, Young Professionals in Philanthropy and Youth in Philanthropy Pre-Conference Workshops (2-4) more intensive workshops held on the day before the conference officially opens. Distinguished Panel (1) based on the conference theme. Distinguished Speakers Series (2-4) features individuals engaged in unique or outstanding research, programs or other activities in Black Philanthropy. Events Hands-on Philanthropy Day Informal Networking Black Business and Philanthropy Program Local Trips Welcome Reception Exhibitors 3 Luncheon Speakers Awards Ceremony Prayer Breakfast