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

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

Association of Slovak Community Foundations AKNS was created in February 2003, and has nine members at the moment. Activities Promotion of community foundations, community philanthropy Programs, ongoing consultancy and support, promotion of giving Advocacy – 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 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

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

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

Advocacy AKNS HOW 1. 1.Planning – how to enter this area with the current capacity and under the current conditions 2. 2.Training - PDCS 3. 3.Assessment - analysis of legislative environment for foundations, impact of new policies – SDF 4. 4.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.

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

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

Conclusion AKNS Vital endeavour or necessary evil? FORAGAINST A widely felt need to advocate for (community) foundations Recognition amongst philanthropic organizations and other institutions, media New partners From the perspective of future development: unavoidable for the sake of cultivation of the environment we operate in Small organization with no real staff and office Interests of members and partners may be different Very limited capacity of members Energy – consuming and long term activities

.thank you. Katarina Minarova Asociácia komunitných nadácií Slovenska - Association of Slovak Community Foundations