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    As competition for a limited pool of charitable dollars increases, donors and nonprofit administrators are placing greater emphasis on accountability and “return on investment.” On June 4 th , the Acton Institute’s Center for Effective Compassion is hosting a conference that will equip nonprofits with effective tools for competing in the new results-oriented world.

    Who should attend: Policy makers, philanthropists, foundation grantors and grantees, grassroots community and faith-based service providers, students, and volunteers.

    Keynote speaker; Mike Hartmann, Director of Research and Evaluation at the Bradley Foundation and a Visiting Fellow of Philanthropy Roundtable, will offer a talk on “Philanthropy and Innovative Programs and Efforts to Serve the Poor.”

    Other featured speakers include:

    Judge Rollin Van Broekhoven, the outgoing board chair of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Broekhoven was instrumental in the settlement of the Foundation for New Era Philanthropy case.

    Robert S. Collier, President & CEO of the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF). Collier directs a 30-year-old nonprofit association representing more than 400 independent, family, community and corporate foundations, and corporate giving programs.

    Chana’ Edmond-Verley, author, researcher, and trainer. Edmond-Verley is the executive director of Jubilee Jobs, and a consultant/instructor with the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative, a national ministry leadership training initiative.

    Dr. Virgil Gulker, a 28-year veteran of volunteer services whose work is motivated by a single passion—to engage church volunteers in the lives of at-risk children and families. Gulker is an author of articles and books on volunteerism, including Help Is Just Around the Corner and Helping You Is Helping Me .

    Angela Vander Hulst, manager of the Philanthropic and Nonprofit Knowledge Management Initiative at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Vander Hulst’s primary responsibilities include the management of the Nonprofit Good Practice Guide (www.nonprofitbasics.org) and assistance in the launch and operation of The Grantmaking School.

    Conference attendees will also learn about the Acton Institute’s Samaritan Award, which rewards privately funded organizations that exemplify effective compassion. The first place Samaritan Award winner will receive a $10,000 prize.

    Date and location:

    Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Imperial Ballroom
    Friday, June 4th, 2004
    Grand Rapids, MI
    8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.



    About the Acton Institute

    The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ecumenical think tank located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1990, the Institute works internationally to “promote a free and virtuous society characterized by individual liberty and sustained by religious principles.” For more information, visit acton.org.

    Interviews with Acton Institute staff may be arranged by contacting Eric Kohn, Director of Marketing & Communications, at (616) 454-3080 or at [email protected].