On March 10, 2011 I attended a presentation by Zara McDonald, Founder and Executive Director of Felidae Conservation Fund, on the Bay Area Puma Project.

The talk was organized by the San Francisco Naturalists Society. I was eager to attend this talk because it was the first time I had heard of anyone researching and advocating for a Bay Area puma conservation program - ever.

From Zara's talk, it was clear that such a program was in dire need, especially as more people are coming in to contact with pumas as urban/suburban areas put pressure on their habitat and range (they need a lot of space and are very territorial). With recent incidents in Redwood City and Berkeley over the last year, when officials shot pumas that entered Bay Area neighborhoods, it is clear that understanding these animals and issues of habitat fragmentation, are critical to building a healthier co-existence.

Before Zara's talk I did not realize that many mountain lions are killed crossing roadways, like Highway 17. I also did not realize that nobody knows how many mountain lions are in our midst - in the natural areas that surround Bay Area communities. We don't know if their population size is healthy.

In addition to having Zara as a strong champion to educate the public with an engaging and highly visual presentation, I noticed a few other strengths of the organization:

1) They gave out pre- post-surveys to asses changes in the audiences beliefs and knowledge before and after the presentation.
2) They are using innovative GPS technology to monitor the lions in their current Santa Cruz mountains study.
3) They are engaging with the public via multiple venues.
4) They have secured funding from large private (e.g., David and Lucile Packard Foundation) and public funders (wildlife agencies).
5) They are doing media outreach (I believe National Geographic is working on a story due out later this year).
6) They made a kids game to engage young audiences in a way that is fun for them.
7) They are using social media and a website to communicate their messages and information.
8) They are collaborating with a wide range of individuals and organizations.

I have been attending Foundation Center presentations and workshops since 2001, and I have been impressed with their professionalism, adaptability and impact over the years. The content of the Foundation Center workshops and panels shift to respond to current trends and nonprofit community needs, from exploring the use of social media to surviving in a time of economic crisis. They also offer workshops on the essentials to building and running effective organizations and programs including board development, development planning and communications, among other key topics. Frequently, I receive inquires from nonprofits from all over the U.S. about how to seek a grant, and I oftentimes refer them to the Foundation Center if they are just getting started. In addition to being a great resource for nonprofits, the Center's programs are a valuable outreach arm for the philanthropic community. Foundations want grantseekers to understand giving priorities and the grantseeking process so that they can focus their giving to meet their goals, attract ready applicants and create the greatest impact. The Center's director Janet Camarena hosts many of the "Meet the Grantmaker" panels, which bring together insightful and smart program officers from small and large foundation leaders. As the moderator, Janet asks thought-provoking questions that bring transparency, highlight best practices and bridge a greater understanding between foundations and nonprofits. While providing a valuable service to the local philanthropic and grantseeking community, the Foundation Center has also worked hard to make their free programs and resources accessible to individuals and organizations outside of the San Francisco area through their blogs and video archives. This is an especially important asset for historically under-resourced communities.