Philanthropy Liaison
The Office of Strategic Partnerships and partners in philanthropy created the Philanthropy Liaison role to build, strengthen, and institutionalize relationships between state government and the philanthropic sector in North Carolina. Established in 2021, the Liaison helps identify and broker strategic partnerships between the two sectors to improve and enhance the well-being of North Carolinians.
The Philanthropy Liaison works with philanthropy and state government to:
Educate each sector about the other;
Connect and foster relationships and partnerships; and
Collaborate on projects of shared interest across the state.
The Philanthropy Liaison is not a grant writer for the state; rather, the Liaison helps state government and philanthropy spot potential opportunities to leverage resources (including, but not limited to, expertise, relationships, and capital) for greater impact.
Click here for additional information about the role of the North Carolina Philanthropy Liaison.
For more information about philanthropic partnerships, email juli.kim@osbm.nc.gov.
Resources
Cross-Sector Collaboration Leverages an Intermediary Partner to Help State Reach All Communities During COVID (2024)
This resource highlights the cross-sector partnership among the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), NC Counts Coalition, and philanthropies, including the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, to launch the Healthier Together initiative in spring 2021. Healthier Together was created to help increase the COVID-19 vaccination rate among communities of color in North Carolina. NCDHHS engaged NC Counts Coalition to deploy its network of community-based organization partners with experience serving populations that have been historically marginalized and were not being served, and NC Counts received both state and philanthropic grants to coordinate the Healthier Together initiative.
This resource, based on a panel discussion from the Healthier Together Briefing and Celebration on July 24, 2024, describes the roles each partner played in Healthier Together and the successes and lessons from the collaboration. Panelists were OSP Philanthropy Liaison Juli Kim (moderator), Angela Bryant, Assistant Secretary for Equity and Inclusion, Health Equity Portfolio, NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS; Bryant retired from NCDHHS in September 2024); Stacey Carless, Executive Director, NC Counts Coalition; and Sorien Schmidt, Director of Strategy and Learning, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
NC Department of Health and Human Services and Philanthropy Engagement (2024)
The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the NC Office of Strategic Partnerships’ (OSP) Philanthropy Liaison collaborated to develop documents for philanthropy related to some of NCDHHS’ key priorities:
- Child and Family Well-being
- Early Childhood Education
- Mental and Behavioral Health
- Medicaid Expansion
- State Health Improvement Plan
- Violence Prevention
The purpose of these documents is for NCDHHS to share information with funders about the agency’s work and key partnerships across agencies and sectors. The information can help the philanthropic community know about funding and partnership opportunities that align with the funders' priorities and work.
Keys to Connecting State Government and Philanthropy (August 2024)
This article, published in Barrett and Greene, an online outlet for news and information about state and local government, highlights the role of the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships’ (OSP) Philanthropy Liaison to support and facilitate connections between the state government and philanthropy sectors. Author Sarah Mann Willcox, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers, a membership forum for philanthropies engaged in grantmaking in North Carolina, presents OSP’s collaboration with the Network as a model for state government and philanthropy partnership. The article also underscores the importance of “the Philanthropy Liaison’s role – and cross-sector work broadly – to help government and philanthropy partner efficiently and effectively in support of a thriving North Carolina.”
Author: Sarah Mann Willcox, Executive Director, North Carolina Network of Grantmakers
Opportunities for State Government and Philanthropy to Collaborate on Complex Challenges Monthly Connect (July 2024)
Numerous state government agencies lead efforts to address complex issues presenting daily challenges for many North Carolinians. Many philanthropic organizations are similarly focused on these issues in their work to enhance quality of life and well-being in the communities they support. In this Monthly Connect, representatives of state government and philanthropy shared the work their organizations are leading to tackle challenges related to complex issues, including child care and early education, affordable housing, rural communities’ access to public and private grants, and workforce development.
- Emily Adair, Grants Program Director, Hometown Strong, NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
- Faith Belcher, Director of Program Administration, State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation
- Marilyn Chism, Director of Programs, Golden LEAF Foundation
- Samantha Cole, Child Care Business Liaison, NC Department of Commerce
- Juli Kim (moderator), Philanthropy Liaison, NC Office of Strategic Partnerships
Click here for relevant resources and key takeaways.
Partner Spotlight: Jama Campbell, Executive Director, State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) Foundation (June 2024)
In a conversation with Philanthropy Liaison Juli Kim, Jama Campbell, executive director of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation, shared insights on the SECU Foundation’s efforts to help address challenges facing North Carolina communities statewide and her perspectives on the significance of cross-sector partnerships in this work.
Philanthropy 101 for State Government: What State Government Should Know about Charitable Foundations (May 2024)
On May 7, OSP hosted a virtual session for state government agency staff to learn about charitable foundations and philanthropic grantmaking in North Carolina. Juli Kim, OSP Philanthropy Liaison, facilitated the session. Sarah Mann Willcox, Executive Director of the North Carolina Network of Grantmakers (NCNG), shared fundamental information about North Carolina’s philanthropic sector, including the types of foundations working in North Carolina, their governance structures, the scope of their philanthropic investments, and the range of resources that philanthropy may offer working collaboratively with state government agencies.
Speakers:
- Juli Kim (facilitator), Philanthropy Liaison, NC Office of Strategic Partnerships
- Sarah Mann Willcox, Executive Director, North Carolina Network of Grantmakers
Click here for relevant resources and key takeaways.
What Philanthropy Wants Working in Partnership with State Government (April 2024)
In this session at the NC Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) Learning Forum, held April 11, 2024, at the NC Museum of Art, representatives from North Carolina philanthropies discussed the philanthropy sector’s interest in working with state government, opportunities to collaborate, ways to leverage each other’s resources, and critical elements of engagement and relationship-building.
Speakers
- Whitney Davis, Program Officer, Foundation for a Healthy High Point
- Juli Kim (facilitator), Philanthropy Liaison, OSP
- Adam Linker, Vice President of Programs, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
- Ted Lord, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Golden LEAF Foundation
- Meka Sales, Director of Special Initiatives, The Duke Endowment
Click here for relevant resources.
Partner Spotlight: Ted Lord, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Golden LEAF Foundation (March 2024)
Working together, state government and philanthropy can leverage each other’s resources to benefit rural communities. In this interview, Ted Lord, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Golden LEAF Foundation, discusses ways in which partnerships with government and research help the foundation fulfill its mission to support rural communities.
This interview was originally published in the NC Office of Strategic Partnerships’ June 2022 Highlights, and updated in March 2024.
Partner Spotlight: Laura Gerald, President, Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust (February 2024)
Philanthropy can be a critical partner with state government to achieve systems change. As President of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, and former State Health Director and director of the Health and Wellness Trust, Dr. Laura Gerald has multiple perspectives on the power of state government-philanthropy partnerships.
In this interview, Dr. Gerald provides insights on the role of philanthropy in state government-philanthropy partnerships and the significance of research to philanthropy, and shares advice for state government and philanthropy on engaging with each other. An excerpted version of this interview was published in the NC Office of Strategic Partnerships’ February 2024 Highlights.
Seeking and Pursuing Federal Grants: Developing a Competitive Proposal (February 2024)
Each year, 26 federal agencies award billions of dollars to states through hundreds of grantmaking programs. Though many of these federal dollars flow to states through block grants based on formulas and other rules, a significant amount of funding is available through competitive grant programs. How can North Carolina state agencies and their partners access more of this discretionary funding? What does it take to write a strong grant proposal?
For the virtual session, Seeking and Pursuing Federal Grants: Developing a Competitive Proposal (held on Feb 16, 2024), the NC Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) invited successful grant seekers from the state government, nonprofit, and research sectors to share tips and strategies for identifying and pursuing federal grants. Speakers described the activities underlying a competitive application, including planning, partnering,
and writing processes, and the components of a strong application, including budgeting, program design, and measurable performance goals.
Speakers:
- Joe Edney, Director, Corporate Strategy, RTI
- Misty Herget, Chief Program Officer, NC Rural Center
- Juli Kim (moderator), Philanthropy Liaison, NC Office of Strategic Partnerships
- Christy Sandy, Proposal Development Manager, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NCSU
- Nicole Sullivan, Director, Reentry Services, Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, NC Department of Public Safety
- Caroline Valand, Deputy Secretary, Partnership Engagement, NC Department of Public Safety
Click here for relevant resources.
Partnership among State Government, Philanthropy, and Research Results in Trauma-Informed Training for District Court Judges (December 2023)
Government-philanthropy and government-research partnerships are increasing in number and impact across all three sectors. How do such partnerships happen? Why do they matter? This resource shares insights from a government-philanthropy-research partnership in North Carolina that led to a new evidence-based training for district court judges on trauma-informed courtroom practices. The training will equip courts to respond to the impacts of trauma on children and families.
Juli Kim, North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) Philanthropy Liaison, interviewed Liz Star, President and CEO of the HopeStar Foundation; Mike Silver, Director of Training and Services for the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC); and Amelia Thorn, Assistant Director for Special Projects at the Duke School of Law’s Bolch Judicial Institute, about their partnership to develop and implement the training.
Collectively, the partners shared:
- How this three-way partnership started and results to date;
- The role the state government, philanthropy, and research partners played to facilitate the work and leverage resources; and
- Tips on initiating and engaging in cross-sector partnerships.
State Government and Philanthropy Partnerships: Learning from Three Impactful Collaborations Monthly Connect (August 2023)
Working together, state government and philanthropy can leverage their expertise and resources (e.g., relationships and capital) to maximize impact for the people and communities they serve. In this Monthly Connect, speakers representing state government-philanthropy partnerships described each partnership and how it relates to their shared interests; discussed components of the partnerships, including what each partner brings to the collaboration and how they address challenges; and highlighted evidence of successful partnership.
- Stacey Carless, Executive Director, NC Counts Coalition
- Hazel Edmond, Rural Economic Development Associate, North Carolina Department of Commerce (Commerce)
- Debra Farrington, Deputy Secretary/Chief Health Equity Officer, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
- Kimberly Kandros, Manager of Development and Special Projects, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (NCDNCR)
- Candice Kane, Program Officer, The Cannon Charitable Interests
- Juli Kim (moderator), Philanthropy Liaison, OSP
- Ted Lord, Senior Vice President/General Counsel, Golden LEAF Foundation
Click here for relevant resources and key takeaways.
NC Network of Grantmakers Digital Equity Webinar (January 2023) (Code: ncng)
The North Carolina Network of Grantmakers (NCNG) and the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) Philanthropy Liaison collaborated to plan this virtual session for NCNG members and others. Speakers shared an overview of the state’s efforts to ensure digital equity and inclusion for all North Carolina households and discussed opportunities for state government and philanthropy to work collaboratively to close the state’s digital divide.
- Dawn Charaba, Executive Director, Reidsville Area Foundation
- Joy Vermillion Heinsohn (moderator), Philanthropy Liaison, OSP
- Sarah Thompson, Vice President-Economic Opportunity, Dogwood Health Trust
- Maggie Woods, Digital Equity Manager, North Carolina Office of Digital Equity and Literacy, North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT)
Click here for relevant resources and key takeaways.
Building Bridges Between Philanthropy and Government (January 2023)
This article in Philanthropy Southeast’s report, Leading with Courage: Reshaping Southern Philanthropy for a New Era, which focuses on philanthropic innovations occurring in the South, discusses the value of state government-philanthropy collaboration and highlights the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships' (OSP) creation of the Philanthropy Liaison role.
Click here for relevant resources.
Philanthropy 101 for VolunteerNC Lunch & Learn Webinar (August 2022)
The North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) Philanthropy Liaison provided an overview of the North Carolina philanthropic sector and discussed tips for grant seekers on identifying potential philanthropic funding opportunities and applying for grants.
- Joy Vermillion Heinsohn, Philanthropy Liaison, OSP
Click here for relevant resources and key takeaways.
Grant Opportunities with the State of North Carolina
North Carolina state government agencies make grants both from federal funds allocated to North Carolina and from state funds as directed by legislative appropriations. This page includes links to grantmaking programs that state agencies manage. For questions about any of the grant programs listed herein, contact the agency that oversees that program.
How Philanthropy Can Catalyze Government-Research Partnerships — and Why it Should (June 2022)
This article from The Center for Effective Philanthropy discusses the value of philanthropy in catalyzing government-research partnerships and highlights the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) efforts to support partnerships in the state.
Authors:
- Angela Bednarek, Project Director, Evidence Project, The Pew Charitable Trusts
- Jenni Owen, Director, OSP
- Alex Sileo, Senior Associate, Results First Initiative, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Resources for Grant Seekers (May 2022)
The North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) compiled a non-comprehensive list of resources that may be helpful for: 1) identifying possible grants; 2) learning how to apply for grants; and 3) staying abreast of the field of philanthropy.
Philanthropy's Role in Government-Research Partnerships Webinar (May 2022)
The North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) Philanthropy Liaison invited speakers to discuss the significance of research to government and philanthropy and ways that philanthropy can support government and research partnerships.
- Joy Vermillion Heinsohn (moderator), Philanthropy Liaison, OSP
- Scott Jenkins, Strategy Director, State Policy, Lumina Foundation
- Ellen Spolar, Senior Program and Policy Advisor, North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ)
- Liz Winer, President, Winer Family Foundation (In 2022, the Winer Family Foundation was renamed the HopeStar Foundation. Liz Star (formerly Winer), continues to serve as its President.)
- David Yokum, Senior Advisor, OSP; Director, Policy Lab, Brown University
Click here for relevant resources and key takeaways.
State Government Grantmaking Webinar (March 2022)
The North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) Philanthropy Liaison invited speakers to discuss receipt and allocation of federal and state grant funds; requirements and restrictions attached to federal and state funding; and opportunities for philanthropy to support state grant seekers.
- Susan Brigman, Section Chief, Specialty Programs, Federal Program Monitoring and Support Division, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI)
- Tamara Brothers, Deputy Director, North Carolina Arts Council
- Caroline Farmer, Executive Director, Governor’s Crime Commission, North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS)
- Joy Vermillion Heinsohn (moderator), Philanthropy Liaison, OSP
- LaTricia Townsend, Director, Federal Program Monitoring and Support Division, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI)
Click here for relevant resources and key takeaways.
How Might Philanthropy Leverage or Complement the American Rescue Plan Act In North Carolina? (February 2022)
Federal funding made available to states in 2021 through the Fiscal Recovery Funds (FRF) and provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) have prompted many in philanthropy to ask how their investments can complement and/or leverage these new funds. In response, the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) created this document to offer ideas for how the North Carolina philanthropic sector might consider investing its time and financial resources alongside ARPA funds.
Child Tax Credit Webinar (November 2021)
The North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) Philanthropy Liaison invited speakers to discuss the impact of federal COVID-relief policy expanding tax credits for families and workers on child poverty reduction in the U.S. and opportunities for philanthropy to support continued expanded application of these tax credits after the federal relief funds expire.
- Joy Vermillion Heinsohn (moderator), Philanthropy Liaison, OSP
- Hannah Hogwood, Public Health Communications Manager, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
- Lee Lilley, Director of Economic and Pandemic Recovery Office of the Governor
- Brian Myers, Senior Advisor, Strategic Projects, Dogwood Health Trust
- Amy Nagle, Co-director, Economic Opportunity Funders and Earned Income Tax Credit Funders Network
Click here for relevant resources and key takeaways.
North Carolina Philanthropy Liaison Overview
Given its unique role within state government, the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) created this two-page informational document describing the Philanthropy Liaison role and ways to connect. This document is designed to share with anyone who might be interested in the work of OSP and the Philanthropy Liaison.
The Many Roles of Philanthropy in Government-Philanthropy Monthly Connect (August 2021)
In this Monthly Connect, speakers shared specific examples of government-philanthropy partnerships; insights into building successful partnerships and overcoming barriers; and the value of research in partnerships. They described various roles that philanthropy plays in partnerships, including convening, thought-partnering, funding, information-sharing, and technical assistance. In addition, the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) shared initial results from its recent survey of philanthropy, and speakers offered their reactions to the data.
- Joy Vermillion Heinsohn (moderator), Philanthropy Liaison, OSP
- Curtis Holloman, Executive Director, The Foundation for a Healthy High Point
- Jasmine McGhee, Special Deputy Attorney General and Director of Public Protection Section, North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ)
- Tara Scholtz, Senior Program Officer, Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
Click here for relevant resources and key takeaways.
Headlines from North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships Survey of Philanthropy (August 2021)
The North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP) administered a survey to philanthropists working in North Carolina to identify the types of resources, events, and information that would facilitate and enhance meaningful learning opportunities and potentially support collaboration with state government. OSP conducted the survey between July 21 and August 2, 2021, and queried respondents on various issues, including potential learning topics related to state government activities, government-philanthropy partnerships, and experience with and interest in research partnerships.
North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships Resource Guide to the North Carolina Executive Branch (May 2021)
This one-page document is to help those interested in collaborating with state government navigate the Executive Branch of North Carolina state government. Though not intended to provide a comprehensive review of the Executive Branch, this document contains a list of resources, with links, to information that may be useful for initiating and developing relationships with state government agencies, including:
- “Big picture” information about the structure of North Carolina state government
- Select government data portals
- Information about the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships (OSP)
Organizational Chart of North Carolina State Government
This chart provides a visual depiction of the three branches of North Carolina State Government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The second page includes useful notes, including the form and function of the various offices and groups. The North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State (NCSOS) produced and distributed this resource. It was last published in 2021 and may be updated.
Philanthropy Liaison Joins State Government Press Release (January 2021)
This press release from January 27, 2021 announced the hiring of Joy Vermillion Heinsohn as the first Philanthropy Liaison in the newly created role within North Carolina state government and describes proposed key functions for the role and the initial funders of the position.
Philanthropy 101 Monthly Connect - Slides from Webinar (November 2019)
This slide deck accompanied a virtual presentation that featured representatives from three North Carolina philanthropic organizations discussing best practices for engaging with philanthropic partners; learning about new funding opportunities; writing strong funding applications; and the proposal review and approval processes.
- Ret Boney, Executive Director, North Carolina Network of Grantmakers (NCNG)
- Gladys Hairston, Program Officer, John Rex Endowment
- Joy Vermillion Heinsohn, Assistant Director, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships Highlights (monthly e-news and resources)
Highlights, the North Carolina Office of Strategic Partnerships’ (OSP) monthly e-news and resources, includes news, information, and other items of interest relevant to cross-sector partnerships among state government, philanthropy, and research.