leading from behind - Philanthropy Australia
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Transcript leading from behind - Philanthropy Australia
Growing Your Foundation
Presentation to Australian philanthropic
community – April 30, 2014
Faye Wightman
Vancouver, Canada
North American Community
Foundation’s
An institution of the community for the
community in which a wide range of
residents work together to create longterm strategies and solutions for
developing vibrant, sustainable
communities- and they use local
resources gathered from a diverse donor
base to do it.
100 years
Cleveland- 1914
1750 CF’s worldwide
15 countries
Seen one CF…seen one CF
Similar belief: philanthropy can & should play a role in
the health & well being of our communities
Vancouver Foundation- 2006
Board of 12
10 men: 2 women
All Caucasian; all over 60
Little turnover (5 Chairs in 65 years)
No history of board giving
No growth in unrestricted revenue
Few options for fund holders
Little public awareness
No strategic plan
Reputation…
Limited sharing on granting process
Donations “locked in” once given to VF
Little/no contact with fund holders
“Foundation for the wealthy”
“Safe”/conservative granting
Little collaboration with other funders
Questions needing answering..
1. Who are we: what are our values?
2. Who knows us; what do they know; what does our brand
say about us?
3. The money questions; how big is enough; is it all about the
money; is all money “good” money?
4. Who are our key stakeholders; what’s our relationship with
them?
5. Do we actually know our community- it’s strengths and
challenges?
…questions needing answering
6. Are the right people involved- board & staff?
7. Are we clear on our direction and how to get there?
8. Who are our partners? Who should we be
networking with?
9. What are the “easy wins” we could make?
10.Where can we turn to for help?
Defining ourselves & our role
Core values and beliefs (guiding principles and
behavior)
Are we a foundation for all or just the wealthy?
Who does determine the issues?
If we value diversity, does our board reflect our
community?
What’s the difference between us & other philanthropic
entities?
What role do we play in our community?
Our distinctive value
Comprehensive Community Knowledge
Convening
Expert-based Grant Making
Significant Scale & Scope
Simplicity & Ease of Giving
Trusted Reputation
Community
Investment
Philanthropy
-Grantmaking
-Mission- based
Investing
-Donor Stewardship
-Gift Planning
-Legacy Giving
-Strategic fundraising
Financial
Stewardship
Community
Leadership
-Investing Management
& Reporting
-Community Research
-Convening/facilitating
-Program incubation
-Public education
Public Awareness
Benchmark survey on awareness in 2006
Provincial tour (16 communities)
Bi-annual magazine highlighting impact of grants and
donors. Partnership with print media
Website & social media presence
New branding and look for VF- Infinity sign- open,
modern, approachable
Numerous videos highlighting grants
Public speaking (35/year)
BC awareness
31%
24%
2006
32%
2009
2012
The $$...it will come…
Created new funds to allow donors more options (Pay
Down, Transferrable, IMP, Start-up)
Created Legacy program for planned giving donors
Partnered with Government for building the arts sector
with gov’t matching endowments for arts
Giving Well- giving circle for women
Partnership with local credit union- an investment
program for social enterprises
Matching Gift program (from an estate gift)
Continuum of funds
.
Unrestricted
Field of Interest
Donor Advised
Designated/Agency
Funds
No Fndn influence
Fndn driven
It’s about relationships..
Collaboration with other funders (United Way)
Government partnerships- city and province
Program for Donor Advised Fund holders-Book of
Opportunities; Report on Philanthropy
Agency seminars & training opportunities
Forum for professional advisors
Task forces for broader community input
Community Knowledge
Grantee perception survey
Vital Signs & Youth Vital Signs
Conducted interviews with key community leaders
Phone survey of 3k residents to determine community
priorities/issues
Published reports
Youth Homelessness Survey
Right people on the bus…
Hired the right staff!
Developed a board matrix & targeted recruitment
Recruited directors that represented the community
Board orientation/training mandatory
Honorary Governors’ Council to expand involvement
Focused on key stakeholders
Knowing the direction
4 year Strategic Plan developed& used (Operational
plan & Individual work plans)
Implemented feedback from Grantee & Donor
Perception surveys
Board retreats focused on generative discussions
Revised Board meetings/board reporting to ensure we
were staying focused on priorities & maximizing
expertise of directors
Networks/partnerships
Who else is out there that we need to connect with?
CAGP- Gift Planners?; Council on Foundations, CFC
Created a Professional Advisors group
Created a local funders forum to share
resources/training
Partnered with government
Partnered with Social Ventures Partners
Easy wins
Held donor events at agencies to introduce them to
beneficiaries (eg Yo-Yo Mah @ Vancouver Symphony)
Invited donors to granting meetings
My Philanthropy”- on line access
Held “Community Cause” lunch and learn sessions
Directors phoned to thanks donors
Annual meetings with key fund holders
Attended multitude of events in the community!
External Resources
Council on Foundations
Community Foundations of Canada
Community Foundation Leadership Team
The Monitor Institute
Board Source
The James Irvine Foundation
Board members
Each other
4 Building Blocks
Create multiple
ways for people to
engage &
contribute
Build Trust
And
Capacity
Communicate
Often & in many
ways
Build the
Foundations for
Long-term work
What do you need to
succeed?
Questions/comments
Thank you !