MPA Calls for Philantrophic Stewardship

Milwaukee, WI - February 12, 2011, Mary Glass, Chair/CEO, Milwaukee Professionals Associations takes ALL HANDS on DECK, WE, Not Me Initiative-Plan-Program to another level of engagement.

"We seek partners, collaborators, innovators - young and older that see the need for EVERYONE doing his/her part to see that our city, Milwaukee, is a leader in a BOTTOM-UP Recovery program that promotes a NEW Middle Class through neighborhood-level emerging markets and "hidden talent". "We have rolled up our sleeves and inviting all to come." "Our next outreach is to the Philanthrophic citizenry," said Mary Glass.

Why?
Providing information to those who assist with resources is a MUST in the enforcement of "best practices". It first of all, sets the stage with what is expected and provide roles and responsibilities in the giving and receiving of funds, fellowships, products and services.

It is important to note that just as "giving" is a positive, it can also be a negative. especialy if the end-user do not receive resources intended, if it become a racket; and, if the end-users know but feel powerless to do anything about it.

How so? It is a positive for obvious reasons but, if there are little to NO guidelines, too often we see the net value is very little and the return is constant from the organization with boilerplate proposals, once the first investment is given. Too often, sophisticated operations are put in place - seasoned grant writer (s), well-connected board with one or two people running it - excluding end-user representation and participation from the creation, monitoring and evaluation process (before, during and after funding).

We must maximize the dollars, volunteerism and the other valuable resources. We must also demand the best from all that say they want to be part of the solution, no exception.

Lastly, we see that so much is lost through lack of accountability, quality control, higher standards that are enforced and assuming that because it goes to an institution, a well-known social organization, a national/international well-known organization and there are well-connected names on the board. We find much too often the board members are not orientated on the goals and objectives of the group, OR some are and most are not. The board members are assigned to committees but the same applies, one or two run the committee, and on and on.

We ask that the foundations and donors do the following:

1. Direct funding evaluation at the target level - neighborhood stakeholders, i.e., block clubs, neighborhood association and/or strategic planning groups that are made-up of residential stakeholders.

2. Require an outside monitoring body of neighborhood stakeholders to help ensure that the funds are delivered and members of the neighborhood are at the table - this will require training and commitment of time by stakeholders. The outside monitoring body should be no less than 10 people without a connection to the organization. They should include high school juniors and seniors, young adults, parents, college students, re-entry citizens - those from incarceration, war and retirement. They should receive travel expense a meeting stiphen and be required to provide a group report to the philanthrophic foundation.

3. The recipients of the funds should provide forums to discuss progress, changes and recruit members from the neighborhood for information sharing. It is part of the neighborhood organizing that is needed for overall self-sustainability.

4. Hirees of the grants should come from the talent pool of the neighborhood.