Frequently,
we find that clients want to step up to help organizations
they support in ways that go beyond financial giving. Similar
to a venture capital investor, they seek to render counsel,
make introductions, monitor operations, and participate
in a variety of ways that help protect their investment.
They also desire periodic reports on the achievement of milestones
and measured outcomes.
Venture philanthropy can be very rewarding for the donor, who can share
expertise, influence, and judgment that
otherwise would not be available to the charity. Nonprofits
benefit significantly by tapping into the know-how of donors.
In our experience, donors who are also board members or
closely affiliated with the charity or its chief executive
are frequently interested in venture philanthropy. They
see the value of long term strategic involvement beyond
an immediate financial gift.
We help facilitate our clients' venture philanthropy and often provide
the “venture” or business component for them. Because of our firm’s extensive experience
with nonprofit governance, management, and operations, we
can frequently work directly with the charity on the donor’s
behalf. These services are highly customized and vary widely
from client to client, and between organizations.
Venture philanthropy projects with which our clients and
we have participated include the following:
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Revamping a national organization’s strategy |
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Evaluating a ministry’s marketing plan |
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Assessing the liability exposure of a director of an
organization that works with children |
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Planning and producing a 2-day fundraising event for
a young ministry seeking initial capitalization from new
donors |
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Organizing and promoting “get acquainted”
receptions |
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Reviewing and revising collateral material for a London-based
charity raising money in the U.S. |
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Coaching charity executives on public presentations |
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Evaluating a development plan and consultant for a U.S.
division of an international nonprofit |
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Introducing a public service law firm to a public relations
firm |
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Organizing a training program for a foundation to train
potential grant recipients on outcome-based evaluation |
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Setting up speaking engagements for the president of
an international charity |
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Planning a gala banquet event with a national celebrity |
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Helping to facilitate merger talks between two nonprofits |
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Acting as consultant and evaluator to an ambitious 5-year pilot program in a Central American country |
All of these initiatives, while serving the nonprofit,
were initiated by an involved, caring donor. Our role in
venture philanthropy is to advise the donor so he/she can
pass on recommendations to the charity, or to communicate
directly with the charity on behalf of the donor.
Because of the unique nature of each venture philanthropy
project, generally we cannot create pre-set products. Each
situation is assessed and a custom plan is created with
the client.