Member Benefits

The greatest benefit to becoming a member of GRANTMAKERS of Oregon and Southwest Washington is joining a community dedicated to learning, sharing, and leadership in philanthropy. This benefit is underscored by a focus and commitment to the people, organizations, and communities across Oregon and southwest Washington.

Benefits at a Glance

Connection to a network of nearly 100 member organizations

Over 30 programs & events a year

The chance to participate in geographic gatherings, funder type specific learning exchanges, and engaging committee work

Unlimited access to national, regional, and local philanthropic resources

Conversation, Collaboration & Shared Resources

Involvement

GRANTMAKERS is a member-directed organization. The strength of our organization lies in the involvement and commitment of our membership. There are opportunities for involvement in each aspect of the organization from coordinating a monthly program to participating in discussions about good governance. Specifically, members can increase their involvement in the GRANTMAKERS’ community through committees & board service, learning exhanges, and affinity groups.

Learning

Our members value the time they spend together. GRANTMAKERS of Oregon and Southwest Washington honors this by offering a series of dynamic programs, workshops, and events that address community issues, explore solutions, celebrate successes, and outline best practices.

Connection

GRANTMAKERS of Oregon and Southwest Washington strives to provide resources that are comprehensive, accessible and dynamic. We have an extensive online resource section, a robust in-house library of varied philanthropic resources, we offer valuable connections to national philanthropic organizations and our membership includes over 100 organizations - nearly 600 individual members - each with their own unique grantmaking experiences.

Personalized Member Services

Comprehensive On-site Library

Our offices house a vast and varied library that includes up-to-date information on: foundation management, grantmaking, funding areas and philanthropy, as well as, industry publications and reports. Materials are available to all members to browse and borrow or materials can be identified by GRANTMAKERS’ staff to suite a member’s specific need or interest. From current industry salary & benefits figures to information on funding disaster relief, if a member requests it, we will find it!

Peer Mentoring

Members are pleased to act as mentors to new grantmakers. There is no formal structure to this service; rather, the grantmaker and the mentor continue to work together for as long as it is mutually beneficial. Members are also willing to act as resources in particular areas of expertise and share best practices.

Member Mini Sites

GRANTMAKERS creates and manages mini-websites for members at no charge. While basic in nature, mini-sites work wonderfully for smaller (and just starting out!) foundations by offering members the opportunity to share who they are and their granting procedures. Grantmakers staff will work with the Foundation to create and personalize the mini-site and will complete updates/edits as needed throughout the year. GRANTMAKERS encourages members without websites to take advantage of the free member benefit.

Easy Billing Program

Member organizations can now avoid multiple invoicing and simplify payments for program attendance by enrolling in the Easy Billing Program. This member benefit allows an organization to register representatives for multiple programs without the hassle of requesting checks or making payments at every event. Twice a year, or as requested, a billing statement will be mailed detailing a list of representatives and programs attended. Member can then mail in a check to cover their fees. Writing two checks a year for programs? Can’t beat that!

Additional Membership Advantages

Ready Talk Audio and Web Conferencing

Through the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, you have access to a lower-cost conference calling option. Ready Talk offers a variety of audio conferencing options, web conferencing tools and sophisticated recording and archiving services. Member Rates are as follows:

Audio Conferencing at $4 cents per minute/participant
Web Conferencing at $6 cents per minute/participant
Web Conferencing Subscription (monthly): $49 for Unlimited Use up to 3,000 participants

If you are interested in learning more about these rates and how to subscribe, please call 1-800.843.9166.

Stanford Social Innovation Review

Stanford Social Innovation Review is published by the Stanford Graduate School of Business. The Review provides grantmakers with informative research, best practices, and provocative opinions. Special Grantmakers’ rate (1 year - 4 issues) is $49. Subscribe online and enter the promocode ‘gosw’. To contact SSIR, please call 650-725-7399 or email. You may cancel at any time and receive a full refund on unmailed issues.

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

Through an arrangement with the Council on Foundations (http://www.cof.org), Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington is pleased to offer its member foundations access to a discounted Directors & Officers Liability Insurance Coverage program. The plan was carefully crafted by John A. Edie, former Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Council on Foundations. If you would like information about the Directors & Officers Liability Insurance package please contact Jane Nober at the Council on Foundations at 800.432.7465 or via email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Identify yourself as a member of Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington. Grantmakers is pleased to be partnering with the Council on Foundation to bring this benefit to our members.

MicroEdge GIFTS Grantmaking software: 10% discount

Through this program, members of Grantmakers are eligible for a special 10% discount on GIFTS and Essential GIFTS new systems sales (through December 31, 2003). Contact Tom Saunders, Vice President of Sales, MicroEdge, at 800.899.0890 x 278 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). To learn more about the software, click here.

Grantmaking Basics Online course through The Council on Foundations

Grantmaking Basics Online is a web-based course that offers self-paced learning in the basics of grantmaking from a desktop computer. It can be used as a staff or board refresher course, an orientation program for newcomers or to complement an existing orientation program. Special Rate for Grantmakers members: $150.00 (Regularly $295). The $150 tuition includes:

Two-year access to the online course;
A complimentary copy of “Grantmaking Basics: A Field Guide for Funders”;
Electronic announcements of new chapters that are not in print and
Council on Foundations staff technical support.

For additional information, visit www.cof.org/grantmakingbasics to try one chapter for free. If you have questions about the course or would like to subscribe, contact Sophie Dunbar, Coordinator, Education Collaborations, Council on Foundations,at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 202.467.0423.