Donor ServicesDonor Engagement

1
Donor Services/Donor Engagement

• Shannon St. John, President
• Triangle Community Foundation
• CPI Network Meeting
• June 1, 2002

2
Donor Engagement Why?

• Good for Asset Development?
• Advantage Over Competitors?
• Desired by Newer, Younger Donors?
• Yes, but the only real reason to offer donor
  services is to MAXIMIZE COMMUNITY IMPACT.

3
Donor Engagement Beliefs

• Individuals, families and companies come to the
  Community Foundation because they want to create
  effective and lasting community improvement.
• Donors are caring and capable individuals who
  bring significant resources beyond their
  financial assetsincluding their intellects,
  experiences, and personal networks--to
  philanthropy.

4
Donor Engagement Beliefs
The Community Foundation can expand its impact by
inspiring, educating and empowering many
community philanthropists. The donor engagement
philosophy is only one of many possible valid
philosophies for a community foundation
5
Donor Engagement A Definition

• A series of activities and services to expand
  community impact by identifying, involving,
  educating, empowering and launching donors who
  wish to engage in strategic and effective
  philanthropy.

6
Marketing and Asset Development

• Key Not give to our cause but what is your
  cause and how can we help you achieve it?
• Requires respect and tolerance for diversity of
  donor interests
• What are we selling?
• Effective, meaningful philanthropy
• Measuring and communicating impact
• Donor satisfaction (and involvement)
• Market to those who want to be thoughtful
  philanthropists

7
Donor Progression
Identification
Personal meaning
Social (connect to community and other donors)
Defined philanthropic goals
Accountability/transparancy
Efficient transactions
8
Program Services
Donor Engagement with Grantees
Donor Groups/Donor Gatherings/Donor Leaders
Donor Education, Facilitate Defining Goals
Grants to Accomplish Donor Goals Measure and
Report Impact
Accountability/Transparancy
Efficient Transactions
9
Donor Engagement Programs

• Donor Education and Exploration
• On philanthropy, its practice and meaning
• On community issues
• Bringing donors together
• Giving circles
• Interest groups
• (Quasi-) social gatherings
• Donor peer leadership
• Engagement with Grantees
• Site visits
• Van/bus tours
• Volunteer opportunities

10
Grantmaking

• Key feature Starts with donor interest
• Donor outlines fields of interest and goals,
  sometimes with assistance from CF
• Using CFs knowledge, research and resources
  and/or grant applications received by CF, staff
  presents grant opportunities to donor
• Donor chooses from among opportunities presented
• Staff develops grant agreement, monitors
  performance, and provides feedback to donor and
  community.

11
Donor Engagement Vision
By providing expertise, education, and services
to donors, the Community Foundation transforms
philanthropic impulse into community impact.