Fast Forward

Bob Tracy, MCF's director of public policy and communications, talks to George Cheung about The Joyce Foundation's democracy strategy, the meaning of civic engagement grantmaking and resources grantmakers can use to learn more.

MCF president Trista Harris speaks with Jenny Harms, network manager at the national Council on Foundations. They discuss the benefits of infusing regional foundation associations, such as MCF, with ideas from across the country.

Mary Jane Melendez of General Mills Foundation talks to MCF president Trista Harris about the General Mills approach to grantmaking and its work with Hunger-Free Minnesota.

Chris Cardona, director of philanthropy at TCC Group and speaker at the 2014 MCF Annual Conference, speaks to Alfonso Wenker, MCF's director of program strategy and racial equity, about how philanthropy can be more accessible to underserved communities.

In her role at the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network, Trish Tchume hears a lot about what young people in the sector need to do to develop their leadership skills. Tchume talks with MCF president Trista Harris about the five most important things organizations can offer. She also discusses the work YNPN has done with Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy to bridge the divide between foundations and nonprofits.

Phil Buchanan, president of The Center for Effective Philanthropy, talks with Trista Harris, MCF president, about effective practice in philanthropy, tools offered by CEP, and advice for what foundations can do when they're interested in starting down the path of more effective grantmaking.

Mark Lindberg, director of relief, recovery and development at the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, tells MCF president Trista Harris about the foundation's relief and resilience program, its focus on lower-attention events that don't typically receive much philanthropic support, and its interest in engaging local community members as key partners.