Diana R. Sieger is the president of the Grand Rapids Commmunity Foundation. For more information, visit Diana's President's pages or view her biography.

Contact Diana at:

RSS

Other Blogs of Note

President's Point of View: Diana R. Sieger's Blog

What's Your Art? Go to whatsyourartgr.com!

February 8, 2010

Last April, I called together the CEOs from our area’s larger arts and cultural organizations along with our colleagues from the Frey and Steelcase Foundations to discuss the impact of the recession and how they were all faring. It was a tough meeting. Obviously the topic of budgets that are stretched to the limit was top of mind of those in the group. Money was and is needed! Ultimately the conversation focused on what we all could do together that would rise all ships in this stormy time.

Most agreed that their donations and audiences had fallen off due to the difficult economic time and that attention should be drawn to how important the arts are to the vibrancy of Grand Rapids and the region! The community’s focus understandably was and still is on trying to meet the immediate needs of people like food, clothing, and shelter. To respond to that, in January 2009 17 foundations banded together to pool more than $2M to address the immediate needs of people in our community. But we also knew that the future of our community also meant keeping the arts alive - not fluff but really focusing on the talents of our community!

The discussion went to how we could address the declining revenue issue of our arts and cultural organizations without breaking the back and resources of the foundations in our community. Yes there were and still are some who believe that the foundations should rally to fund the faltering operating budgets of all of our nonprofit organizations. But here’s a sobering fact: even if we were to combine all the assets of the foundations, it wouldn’t even touch the financial situation of the entire sector particularly over the long term!

After many meetings throughout the spring and summer of 2009 with the representatives of the arts and cultural organizations and a very productive focus group session, a plan for a comprehensive marketing effort emerged focusing on all of the arts banding together! A real feat!

This effort is being launched this month and is funded by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation. The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids will be at the hub of this effort. Working with the creative team of Plenty Creative (thus the name!) and Lambert, Edwards & Associates we are ready to roll! Thanks to the Frey Foundation, the Arts Council is building their strength to host a website showcasing every arts organization and their activities and keep it going!

As is noted in the announcement for this huge campaign, “The consensus [of the arts groups] was resounding, that a new marketing effort could help build interest, attendance and membership … Grand Rapids has a pedigree for art. It is the creative flagship of West Michigan …”

What will this entail? A website that is a fresh way to highlight all groups connecting more than 60 diverse arts and cultural organizational in greater Grand Rapids. “The site is a highly interactive destination … calendar of events, links to purchase tickets, video and audio components and social media connections.” This site will provide the opportunity for all groups to cross-market themselves and ultimately expand their audiences.

Other activities and events are planned as well. AND lest you think this is a futile attempt or just a flash in the pan, each and every organization and museum share the responsibility to keep their events and activities in the forefront of our community. In order for this to work, each organization needs to actively participate.

The website is live and is found at www.whatsyourartgr.com and is the first-ever, dedicated arts and culture portal for the Grand Rapids region! We need to support the arts as it is a strong link to continued economic growth and development in our area!

[ Link to this Entry | Comments (0) | Email this to a friend ]

Social networks and philanthropy

January 10, 2010

For the past 18 months, I have been an active participant on Twitter and Facebook. Some view this as “who cares what you had for dinner” or “what’s the big deal about tracking every moment of your day … who cares!”. What I have found is that over time good stories emerge, people become real and approachable and connections are made.

Much is being written about social media and trainings, webinairs, seminars promise that entering these networks will bring customers and increased interest to businesses and organizations and even perhaps enhance your own life. We’ll see how all this transpires. I can remember a time when web portals, having a “presence” on the internet, and such things were the hot topics. The fact remains, things change at lightning speeds. You have to keep up, all the tech savvy folks proclaim, or you will be left behind.

Will books be the thing of the past in a few years as digital products are introduced? I’m sure GRCF board chair Cecile Fehsenfeld, co-owner of Schuler’s Books, along with her husband Bill are tracking this carefully and have developed long term strategies to stay in the loop! Will philanthropy take off in the cyber world as was predicted nearly a decade ago? Will our lives become more focused on relationships only accessed on our iPhones and other devices?

A great deal to ponder! One thing I’m really pleased about locally though is the interest many people who are connecting through social media networks who have a clear charitable perspective. A few weeks ago I wrote about the obsession to attract people who are under the age of 40 seemingly at the expense of those of us who are a bit north of 50 years old. However, the up and coming generations do seem to be very committed to Grand Rapids and giving of themselves for various causes.

What I’m noticing is that as gatherings are put together quickly communicated through Twitter, Facebook or other networks, that in addition to connecting and having fun, a philanthropic aspect is often included. And many of these events are being planned by people who are in their 20’s, 30’s and early 40’s! While munching on delectable food at the Turkey Throwdown which took place prior to Thanksgiving, a collection was underway for warm accessories to help the homeless and others who are suffering through the recession. This particular activity was promoted almost exclusively on Twitter. No TV - no newspaper - no radio ads or announcements.

A huge event took place this past Friday to celebrate the 40th birthday of local chef and frequent TV show guest Tommy Fitzgerald. Tommy has a magnetic personality that lights up any room and makes all in his presence just smile, laugh and feel good. PLUS eating his delicious food. Weeks ago he started to promote the “Juiceball” held at the J.W. Marriott Hotel which pulled out all the stops in making this an event that was not only a “seen and be seen” event, but attractive in terms of cost while helping a local organization shine in the spotlight as well. Most of this was communicated on Twitter and Facebook.

A blog entry by Todd Ernst chronicled the success of this event and why Tommy used the celebration of this milestone birthday to bring awareness to the Kid’s Food Basket and raise needed dollars for juiceboxes and other food items. More information on KFB can be find here and is run by Bridget Clark Whitney a leader in her 20’s who has been lauded locally and beyond for her skills, talent and passion.

Tommy could have had a birthday party without the charitable purpose and all would have had a great time. The Turkey Throwdown could have happened and old and new friends could have enjoyed a meal together and connections made without giving back to people in need. However, as the next generations are coming up, I find that a strong giving spirit prevails, a more inclusive pattern emerging and an increase in civic engagement.

Is this different than in previous generations after all we have had “events” for decades to promote charitable causes and organizations? It does seem to be more inclusive and seems that people want to actually attend these events and not view them as another obligation. And it appears as if the purpose behind the organizations is embraced. In other words it isn’t just about the organization but the reason that created these organizations. As in the case of the trends noted regarding the cyber world, we’ll see. But I couldn’t be more pleased and hopeful. Keep it going!

[ Link to this Entry | Comments (3) | Email this to a friend ]

GRCF Staff member makes lives much richer!

December 26, 2009

After a long hiatus, I finally landed on a topic to write about. Frankly I’ve not been inspired to write for the last month - quite busy and didn’t think people would want to read my laments which were growing rather than subsiding these past few weeks!

Rena Guttrich has been a staff member of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation for more than 10 years. She works primarily with me and our Board of Trustees as our Executive Assistant but she is everywhere in the office. Always one of the first to help where needed, signing up to bring a delectable dish when we have potlucks, and making sure that everything is running smoothly.

A few years ago, she and her husband Gary learned that their son Bruce who had recently joined the Army was being sent to Iraq - early on in the war that continues to this day. Rena was understandably upset. She has appeared often on television, speaking on the radio along with being featured in articles in various publications talking about the experience of being a parent of a soldier being deployed on a dangerous mission and Operation Pillow Talk detailed below. Bruce has been sent over to Iraq for a second deployment and is stateside now but may be sent to Afghanistan in a few months. This is something that brings tears to Rena’s eyes but she keeps moving forward and making life better for those around her.

It didn’t take long before Rena took matters into her own hands when Bruce first joined the service and she and Gary became members of the West Michigan Family Support Group that has been instrumental in working and calming the fears of family members of service personnel who are gone for months. The group translates their worries and concerns into a very worthwhile effort known as “Operation Pillow Talk” that decorates and sends pillows to grateful servicemen and women stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Pillows it seems are not part of the “equipment” that our service personnel receive!

This holiday season, Rena and her group also made small Christmas trees and other wonderful things for the soldiers! So while she was busy with her “day job” of taking care of every little detail at the GRCF, her passion in helping others was taking up her time “off the clock.” WOW!

It was a pleasant surprise to see her photo in today’s edition of The Grand Rapids Press (Saturday, December 26) on the front page above the fold. Rena is something else! This is the link to the article as well as the link to actual front page of the Press! Thanks for highlighting the work of a selfless and remarkable person!

[ Link to this Entry | Comments (0) | Email this to a friend ]

Vibrancy . . . once again!

November 20, 2009

I’ve certainly received quite a reaction from my Facebook and blog postings from earlier this week. I just thought I’d add a comment for clarification so everyone knows that I’m not locked in the 1960s though that was a pretty dynamic time of definite transformation of a different nature! While we need to attract and retain people under the age of 40, my question from my previous post was more in reference to the fact that it seems to be squeezing everyone else aside and that we need all age groups to make a great community. Here it is again: “Does a vibrant core city only include efforts/programs that focus on people under the age of 40? Seems as if so much is made of this and yet I know we need to attract younger people to West MI and help them stay! However, it feels like we may be alienating so many other people.”

The reality is we need young, college educated people in our communities and in particular our core cities if we want to build a strong future! Lou Glazer is the visionary who created and is president of Michigan Future, Inc based in Ann Arbor. He contends and I strongly concur that we need to increase the number of college educated adults. He writes: “Our best guess is that unless we substantially increase the proportion of college educated adults - particularly in our biggest metropolitan areas - Michigan will continue to trend downwards in the per capita income rankings towards the bottom ten.”

In Lou’s well-researched report entitled, “Young Talent in the Great Lakes: How Michigan is Faring”, he notes: “A vibrant central city matters - particularly for young professionals without children. But in both metro Detroit and Grand Rapids we need both the central city and its suburbs to be more attractive places for young professionals to live and work.” Lou’s bottom line: “unless Michigan, compared to the country, gets younger and better educated we will continue to get poorer.”

Frankly - there is no denying any of what Lou Glazer has been saying for a very long time. Please go to his website here and in particular read the report I referenced.

I still think I’m 35 years old though - still cute too! Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone - I’m signing off until the week of November 30th!

[ Link to this Entry | Comments (1) | Email this to a friend ]

Vibrancy - is it only an "age" thing?

November 17, 2009

Deep breath Diana! Okay - I’m 58 years old, I’m darn cute, I’m full of energy and I’ve got myself fooled that I am still 35 years old! Why does this matter? Well, it may not but I started something on Facebook today and I want to take a moment to provide more detail. My original post was:

“Does a vibrant core city only include efforts/programs that focus on people under the age of 40? Seems as if so much is made of this and yet I know we need to attract younger people to West MI and help them stay! However, it feels like we may be alienating so many other people.”

The genesis of this comment comes from about 24 months of reading, listening and trying to understand what makes a city and the surrounding region attractive to many people! In fact what makes it so attractive that people want to stay and put down roots in a great place to live, work and play! The vision statement of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation in fact is: “We envision a magnetic, interconnected West Michigan community.” That was written and adopted 4 years ago so this has been an issue for GRCF for quite some time.

Consultants, CEOs for Cities, business leaders, Chambers of Commerce, economic development organizations, West Michigan Strategic Alliance and many others have been pressed into action to zero in on what makes a community an attractive place for many people and specifically what make GR the place to be.

I have issues with some of the activity above because frankly some of the efforts are literally climbing over each other and not much attention is being paid to duplicative efforts. I hope that all this activity will help build and keep metro GR vibrant and alive.

AND I love reading tweets and Facebook entries from the local Young Nonprofit Professionals Network and other young professional groups. The Next Gen movement in philanthropy is one that I embrace and appreciate because the talent is simply phenomenal! Amanda St. Pierre on our staff is one of these exceptional leaders and has the wisdom of someone much more experienced. She creates many of our communication messages in such a unique and readable manner. She is something else! Amanda and our VP for PR/Marketing, Roberta King, are a dynamic team! So this isn’t about complaining about the young professionals making their way because we should be paving the way each and everyday!

It is the emphasis being placed on all things for all people UNDER 40 years of age! I’m certainly feeling it! Is the only way Grand Rapids can be determined a “cool city” if it is populated by all people much, much younger than me? At a recent business luncheon I was struck by the encouragement from the podium that persons under the age of 40 should be encouraged to join up! I looked around the table where I was seated and stared at six business women who were perhaps a bit over 40 though not that much. I joked and said well how welcome do you feel now?

I embrace all age groups, all backgrounds, all differences - all of it! That is WHAT makes a “hip happening” city. Yes we need to keep the younger generations enthused about their city and yet we need to keep our “experienced adults” excited about staying here as well! This is a complex issue and I’ll keep writing about this in future posts. We need jobs to keep all ages here - we need acceptance of differences - we need new industries - we need to stop the state and local governments from bleeding!

[ Link to this Entry | Comments (3) | Email this to a friend ]