Growing Your Foundation

Presentation to Australian philanthropic community – April 30, 2014

Faye WightmanVancouver, 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 long-term strategies and solutions for developing vibrant, sustainable communities- and they use local resources gathered from a diverse donor base to do it.

 

100 yearsCleveland- 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

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 valueComprehensive Community Knowledge

Convening

Expert-based Grant Making

Significant Scale & Scope

Simplicity & Ease of Giving

Trusted Reputation

CommunityInvestment

-Grantmaking-Mission- based Investing

Philanthropy

-Donor Stewardship-Gift Planning-Legacy Giving-Strategic fundraising

Community Leadership

-Community Research-Convening/facilitating-Program incubation-Public education

Financial Stewardship -Investing Management & Reporting

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)

Public Awareness

24% 32%

31%

2006 2009 2012

BC awareness

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

Fndn drivenNo Fndn influence

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 recruitmentRecruited 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/partnershipsWho 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 winsHeld 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

What do you need to succeed?

Questions/comments

Thank you !