The Phoenix Philanthropy Group is proud to be a lead partner in the Arizona Nonprofit Leadership Forum and Initiative. With 21,000 nonprofits generating nearly $19 billion in revenue, Arizona’s nonprofit sector is a significant part of our economy and its influence is essential to our state’s future. We were honored to play a key role in bringing Arizona’s nonprofit leaders together at the inaugural Forum in September.

“Do we shape the landscape or does it shape us?” Steve Seleznow, President and CEO of the Arizona Community Foundation, challenged 250 of Arizona’s leading nonprofit executives, philanthropists, and opinion-makers at the inaugural Arizona-wide Nonprofit Leadership Forum on September 27, 2011. Seleznow Video

The Phoenix Philanthropy Group joined National Bank of Arizona and Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation as presenting sponsors of the Forum. The purpose was to empower and position the nonprofit sector as a leading driver in Arizona’s economic development, positive social change, and enhanced quality of life.

In keynote speeches, national experts Jeff Edmondson, President of the Strive Network, Edmondson Video  and Dan Pallotta, founder of Pallotta TeamWorks, Pallotta Video  proposed new paradigms for nonprofits.

The heart of the Forum was the online dialogue among all attendees led by Doug Griffen of the Advanced Strategy Center, who also conducted a pre-forum survey. Eight panelists representing some of Arizona’s most outstanding nonprofit leaders reacted with comments about the strength and leadership potential of nonprofits. Panel Video

“People tend to forget that the nonprofit community brings substantial resources and economic impact to a community.” David Adame, Chief Financial Officer, Chicanos por la Causa

“No other entities in the state represent the state the way that we nonprofits do, both in terms of serving our constituencies and those who represent our volunteer Boards. We are a powerful group. The best of the best in each of the communities serve on our volunteer Boards. These Board members represent the broad diversity of each of the communities in business and other sectors. We need to harness that power.” Fred Chaffee, President and CEO, Arizona’s Children Association

“We may need to take a project that is the least toxic and try to work together. And if we can get a small victory, that can build the trust among us and the momentum. A small victory in Yuma sparked enough interest, momentum, and trust among diverse groups to take much bigger steps.” Charles Flynn, Executive Director, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

“We should not think of this as a competition, but as a way that we can work and share information to advance everybody’s goals.” Pat Graham, State Director, Arizona, Nature Conservancy

“Our constituent base is the legislators’ constituent base, too. We should recognize our power and leverage in the constituents that visit us or that we serve every day.” Chevy Humphrey, President and CEO, Arizona Science Center

“If we’re successful, we will be seen as the entity setting the table.” Clint Mabie, President and CEO, Community Foundation for Southern Arizona

“When we talk to policy makers and decision makers, it is the human story that really captures and drives the issues and creates understanding.” Cecilia Rosales, Director of Phoenix Programs and Associate Professor, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona

In the months ahead, The Phoenix Philanthropy Group, National Bank of Arizona, and Freeport McMoRan are committed to advancing the Nonprofit Leadership Initiative. Watch for upcoming Initiative activities and news about the second Nonprofit Leadership Forum to be held in Fall 2012.

Learn more about the Arizona Nonprofit Leadership Forum and Initiative at www.PhoenixPhilanthropy.com/Forum or contact Laurel Kimball, Founding Principal, at kimball@PhoenixPhilanthropy.com or Steve Zastrow, Principal, at zastrow@PhoenixPhilanthropy.com.