Our themes in 2023 were to invest, develop and preserve the work of nonprofits in our community. To those ends, we invested in an additional layer of free space through our Incubate+ program. We helped nonprofits develop programs and activities and we continue to build out our spaces so they work for the people who work here. Moving into 2024, we have an additional 5 infrastructure projects planned, including a front garden restoration and renovation. Things are moving at Federated Charities and we’re meeting the evolving work needs of community based organizations.
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Open AI and Nonprofit Practice
Wondering how nonprofits like ours are using ChatGPT and other open AI systems? First, you’re going to have to take a look at each of these pictures because all 4 of them were created with open AI using a series of prompts about black dogs (like #CharityDogFrederick) and just seeing what happened. Obviously we weren’t very good at this until the 4th time we tried and ended up with the black dog using crutches. But the point is that Federated Charities and other nonprofits are using the technology in their organizations and like the rest of us, wondering what it means for our practice. According to a Forbes article from 2021, there are several practical applications for AI in our sector, including helping us with the kinds of tasks that are repetitive and take attention away from programs. Higher efficiency in the nonprofit space leads to greater impact, and less time spent on time consuming administrative tasks means more resources for mission-based services. As a nonprofit center, we can relate to that philosophy. Many organizations are already using it to help with employee development, fundraising and marketing.
How will we use it at Federated Charities? We’re envisioning a new wall in our lobby highlighting our corporate sponsors through creative and colorful art. As spacemakers, we want our nonprofit tenants and their clients to walk through beautiful space as they make changes in their lives. We’ve also used it to write a poem about Charity (our favorite dog). You can read it here.
How will your nonprofit use AI?
How Do You “Board?”
It’s not uncommon for people to join nonprofit boards and then wonder what being on a board really means. We recently asked our board members to share the questions they wish they had asked when they first started serving on our board.
As a nonprofit center, part of our programs includes preparing our board members to serve Federated Charities but we also hope they leave our organization and continue to serve other community-based organizations. So there are no wrong questions and we can definitely help with the answers. If you serve on a board of directors in the community, there’s assistance from us…whether we come and speak to your organization or you attend one of our professional development events. Click here for more information.
How long are board terms? How many people make up a quorum?
Board terms are defined by the organization and as a new board member, you should definitely know how long a standard terms lasts. Quorum questions are frequently answered in the bylaws of an organization or are at least referenced there. Quorum indicates the minimum number of people who need to be present in order to cast a binding vote of the board of directors.
How do I know if the organization is making an impact in the community?
Because boards are the strategic guide for an organization, board members should ask themselves (and the staff) regularly about the impact of the organization. Boards should also self evaluate their own activities in relation to the strategic goals of the organization regularly. At Federated Charities, a board self assessment is taken on by the governance committee at least annually. In general, the board of directors should see reports at meetings that demonstrate the impact of the day to day activities and evaluate it in alignment with the mission and vision.
How does dialogue continue between meetings?
Board meetings are for action but boards of directors should be able to have conversations with one another between meetings. Committee meetings are great places for dialogue and the steps leading to action to take place. It’s also good practice to offer board members the opportunity (at meetings and outside of meetings) to get together and volunteer for an activity of the organization or just socialize and get to know one another. Strangers sitting around a table can certainly get things done but it’s much easier to make strategic decisions if everyone in board meetings has built relationships with one another. It is important to remember though that boards should act collectively…no one member makes decisions for nor acts independently from the rest of the board.
In the Know
You might have walked past our building recently and noticed something new (other than the dog missing…again). Federated Charities has partnered with The Housing Authority of the City of Frederick to install one in a series of meditation murals. Envisioned by the artist Karen Pollard and brought to mural form by local artists Anthony Owens and Jack Pabis, the mural on our building is one of three planned for installation in our community.
The new public art demands and invites communication and the engagement of others.
Thank you to our sponsors…
The Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.
The Ausherman Family Foundation
Southway Charitable Trust
Jason & April Lee
The Miner & Feinstein Families
Federated Charities Art Class!
Coronavirus has changed things for a lot of us but we think it’s important to maintain our creative energies, if only because we promised this post in our recent newsletter…and we like to keep our word. If you receive our newsletter, you know that we included a drawing activity and promised a drawing of Charity. Here you go (and remember, we never said we were “artists”)!
The Heart of Our Dog
On Thursday June 7th, we will host our second annual event, The Art of the Dog at Federated Charities. Our board of directors will welcome you to our renovated rose garden and first floor of our lovely, historic building where you will enjoy beer, wine and soft drinks, eats and art (silent auction to benefit the programs and services of Federated Charities).
But wait, do we have anything to do with dogs? A little bit because we have owned one since 1858 where he has stood watch over our building and the community. As one of the most iconic fixtures in downtown Frederick, hundreds if not thousands of people walk past him every day but unless you’ve needed a lawyer or a wheelchair (or any other type of human service), you may not be aware of the work that we do. Since 1911 we have addressed critical needs in this community and since 1930, we have done it from our bricks and mortar building with the dog statue.
The Art of the Dog is just our way to celebrate that work. Local artists and makers and just generous people donate items for our silent auction and you get to enjoy our space for an evening. Tickets are available now.
Thank you to our Top Dog event sponsors, Frederick County Bank and First United Bank & Trust
