Sunrise, Sunset: The Impact and Legacy of The Sprout Fund

Presentation by Cathy Lewis Long and Matt Hannigan, the co-founders of The Sprout Fund in Pittsburgh as part of the Masters of Arts Management Lecture Series at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College in February 2019.

Transcript

1. SUNRISE, SUNSET: THE IMPACT AND LEGACY OF THE SPROUT FUND
2. hello! Cathy Lewis Long Co-Founder & Former Executive Director of The Sprout Fund @ cathy lewis long Matt Hannigan Co-Founder & Former Deputy Director of The Sprout Fund hi @ matt hannigan.com
3. MAM Speaker Series Lecture Today’s Agenda 1. What was The Sprout Fund and how did it work? 2. What changed in Pittsburgh because of Sprout? 3. Why did The Sprout Fund sunset after 17 successful years? 4. How did we plan and execute a strategy for our sunset? 5. How would you plan the sunset for an organization or program you know well? 6. What can we as the nonprofit sector learn from sunset experiences?
4. 1. An Engine for Civic Change What was The Sprout Fund and how did it work?
5. We championed trailblazers with the innovative ideas to create transformative change. Love Poem for Water (2011) $1,000
6. We jump-started new organizations and tested new ideas with our support for early-stage projects. Bricolage Midnight Radio (2009) $6,000
7. We forged deep and trusting partnerships with local leaders and secured multi-million dollars of support from funders. Mayor Peduto (2016)
8. 2. From Small Seeds to Deep Roots What changed in Pittsburgh because of Sprout?
9. $8 million Granted to more than 1,500 Pittsburgh-based projects, organizations, innovators, and activities.
10. Appreciating art outside museums Enabling those with library cards to check out works of art by regional and international artists for home enjoyment. Art Lending Collection (2013) $10,000
11. Breaking bread to cross cultures Serving cuisine from countries with which the United States was currently in conflict as a way to create greater awareness of the diverse cultures. Conflict Kitchen (2009) $7,000
12. Making Pittsburgh more bikeable Working to address the dearth of amenities for cyclists in the city by installing artistically designed bike racks in highly visible, commercial areas. Three Rivers Bike Racks (2003) $9,000
13. Advocating for social justice Raising awareness of wage inequality through a store with wares from female artists, selling items to women at 76% of the cost charged to men. 76<100 (2015) $1,000
14. Making learning interest-driven Exploring biology and medical science, from anatomy to nutrition, through innovative STEAM programming. High-Tech Health (2016) $5,000
15. Strengthening urban ecology Promoting honeybees as a vital part of Pittsburgh’s urban agriculture community through an open beekeeping group. Burgh Bees (2009) $8,000
16. Being playful and having some fun Exploring the concept of loss and recovery while collecting missing gloves from the street. (And even reuniting a few with their rightful owners!) One Cold Hand (2007) $1,000
17. 3. Going Out on Top Why did The Sprout Fund sunset after 17 successful years?
18. A cultural shift has taken root Pittsburgh is better place to live, learn, and thrive because of the people and ideas supported by The Sprout Fund. Knit the Bridge (2012) $8,000
19. A new generation of voices is leading “Sprouters”—the idealists and change agents we supported— are shaping Pittsburgh today and spreading transformative practices elsewhere. Engage Pittsburgh Idea Round-up (2006)
20. Further, wider than we imagined Sprout’s model has inspired local partners and other communities to take a collaborative approach and empower citizens to create change. Garfield Hops Project (2012) $10,000
21. With confidence that our ideals would endure, we made the bold decision to sunset The Sprout Fund in 2018.
22. 4. Proud, Smart & Fun How did we plan and execute a strategy for Sprout’s sunset?
23. Sprout’s sunset timeline in 2018 JAN/FEB Internal Planning APRIL Funder & Public Announcements MARCH Operationalize Roadmap JUNE Final Events/ Programming SEPTEMBER Last Staff Depart
24. Sprout’s sunset timeline in 2018 JAN/FEB Internal Planning APRIL Funder & Public Announcements MARCH Operationalize Roadmap JUNE Final Events/ Programming SEPTEMBER Last Staff Depart
25. Each scenario for the sunset represented a combination of possible activities and came with tradeoffs in terms of people, effort, time, and money
26. Sprout’s sunset timeline in 2018 JAN/FEB Internal Planning APRIL Funder & Public Announcements MARCH Operationalize Roadmap JUNE Final Events/ Programming SEPTEMBER Last Staff Depart
27. After the board approved the sunset plan, we had to continue to execute on our existing commitments while developing the messages and activities for after the announcement
28. Sprout’s sunset timeline in 2018 JAN/FEB Internal Planning APRIL Funder & Public Announcements MARCH Operationalize Roadmap JUNE Final Events/ Programming SEPTEMBER Last Staff Depart
29. Sprout’s sunset timeline in 2018 JAN/FEB Internal Planning APRIL Funder & Public Announcements MARCH Operationalize Roadmap JUNE Final Events/ Programming SEPTEMBER Last Staff Depart
30. Components of Sprout Sunset Programming Knowledge-Sharing Storytelling Communications Celebration Events Org Management
31. Rationale At our core, we were always a grantmaker Use a community-based process to allocate remaining resources Programming Legacy Awards Results Received 300+ nominations via social and email Selected 50 Awardees to receive $1,000 each Shined light on important work Identify individual champions that would carry forward Sprout’s vision and enduring values through their ongoing work in Pittsburgh.
32. Sprout’s 50 Legacy Awardees
33. Rationale Articulate the philosophy and ideals that drove our work for almost two decades so others can leverage our unique approach and processes Knowledge-Sharing Field Guide for Philanthropy Results Codified lessons and best practices Shared openly licensed materials Gathered the best practical advice and tools we developed for catalytic funding and community building into a robust, sharable resource.
34. ⇨ fieldguide.sproutfund.org
35. Rationale Make clear the ideals that defined all of Sprout’s programs and initiatives Storytelling Last Will & Testament Results Shared our reflections on the beliefs and ideals that guided our work Enduring document to live beyond the lifespan of the organization.
36. ⇨ medium.com/@sproutfund/last-will-testament-26ab31ee583c
37. Rationale Spread word of sunset organically Save us from writing thank you notes! Storytelling Thank You Social Campaign Results Created a buzz Other people & orgs shared positive Sprout sentiments Wrapped up social feeds with focused messages Social campaign thanking all those that made a difference in our work and highlighting the breadth & diversity of investments over the years.
38. ⇨ twitter.com/sproutfund ⇨ facebook.com/sproutfund ⇨ instagram.com/sproutfund
39. Rationale Make clear that the organization is no longer in operation Maintain an enduring space for Sprout’s story and accomplishments to live Storytelling Evergreen Website Results Archived the complete picture of The Sprout Fund Built a robust, searchable database of people, projects, programs Tidy up before we go by framing digital content in an evergreen way. Curate small set of best photo & video content. No digital littering!
40. ⇨ sproutfund.org
41. Rationale Wanted highly coordinated and synchronized release Communications Public Relations & Media Outreach Results Spread word of sunset through traditional channels Created definitive set of talking points. Hired professional PR firm to help place stories. Wrote an Op-Ed for the Post-Gazette to complement press coverage.
42. News stories on the day of the sunset announcement
43. Rationale Thank our supporters, acknowledge the legacy awards, and gather the Sprout family one last time Celebration Event Sunset Party Results Reunion-like feeling of the many people that made up The Sprout Fund Closed on a high note! Fun cocktail party with music, food and drink with remarks from board members and senior staff.
44. The sunset party—held on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year—gathered friends and supporters to celebrate Sprout
45. Rationale Strived for a sequenced close-out of all business obligations and remaining charitable assets Organizational Management Business Operations Wind-Down Results Closed books and accounts! After public programming concluded, we executed tasks such as hosting a final board meeting, conducting a complete financial audit, and deactivating accounts and services.
46. Rationale Needed to balance (and make explicit) the sometimes competing demands of our team’s professional & personal lives Organizational Management Support for Staff Results No staff left employment prior to agreed upon dates No staff lost health benefits before they had replacement plans We still love each other Committed to complete transparency with staff through all phases of planning and execution. They had early knowledge of sunset plans and could pursue future opportunities.
47. The Sprout team says farewell!
48. 5. Curtain Call Let’s role play. How would you plan the sunset for a program or org?
49. “ We’ve arrived at a difficult decision but we know it’s for the best. We’ve decided to conclude [insert your favorite program/organization here]. How should we do it?
50. Apply What You’ve Learned Facilitated Exercise On Your Own [5–7 min] 1. Choose a program or organization you know well 2. Imagine the process and outcomes of a successful sunset 3. Capture ideas for sunset activities in each worksheet area Neighbor Share Out [5–7 min] 4. Pair- or triple-up and walk through your approaches Group Discussion 5. We’ll reconvene and highlight common themes/challenges
51. Revisiting the Components of a Successful Sunset Programming How can our work/mission be best represented? Storytelling How do we want to be remembered? Celebration Events How will our community gather to mark this time? Knowledge-Sharing What lessons did we learn? How will others find out? Communications What’s our message to the public? How many audiences? Org Management What else needs to happen to wind-down with integrity?
52. 6. Open Discussion What can we as the nonprofit sector learn from sunset experiences?
53. 7. Reflections We are proud of our successes and mindful of some mistakes too.
54. be inclusive Open doors for new audiences. Lower barriers. Creative solutions often originate from diverse perspectives coming together for a shared purpose.
55. be human Empower individuals to become change agents. Connect them to each other as well as resources, mentorship, and opportunities for growth.
56. be authentic Respect every idea and everyone as worthy of consideration. Put in the time and build trust. Meet people where they are. Believe in deliberate dialogue and honest conversations.
57. be open Share what you learn. Understand that as one idea thrives, its success encourages others to rise. Be willing to challenge assumptions and continuously reflect on how you might improve your work.
58. be bold We gain strength and resilience when we test, try, fail, succeed, and learn. We must harness the creativity and ingenuity of the entire community to meet today’s civic challenges.
59. thanks to learn more about Sprout’s work visit: www.sproutfund.org Photos commissioned by The Sprout Fund or copyright original owners. Presentation template by SlidesCarnival. CC Attribution-Share Alike.