Growing Your Foundation

1. Growing Your Foundation Presentation to Australian philanthropic community – April 30, 2014 Faye Wightman Vancouver, Canada

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Questions needing answering.. • Who are we: what are our values? • Who knows us; what do they know; what does our brand say about us? • The money questions; how big is enough; is it all about the money; is all money “good” money? • Who are our key stakeholders; what’s our relationship with them? • Do we actually know our community- it’s strengths and challenges?

7. …questions needing answering • Are the right people involved- board & staff? • Are we clear on our direction and how to get there? • Who are our partners? Who should we be networking with? • What are the “easy wins” we could make? • Where can we turn to for help?

8. 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?

9. Our distinctive value • Comprehensive Community Knowledge • Convening • Expert-based Grant Making • Significant Scale & Scope • Simplicity & Ease of Giving • Trusted Reputation

10. Community Investment -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

11. 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)

12. BC awareness 31% 24% 32% 2009 2012 2006

13. 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)

14. Continuum of funds . Unrestricted Field of Interest Donor Advised Designated/Agency Funds No Fndn influence Fndn driven

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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!

21. 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

22. 4 Building Blocks Create multiple ways for people to engage & contribute Communicate Often & in many ways Build the Foundations for Long-term work Build Trust And Capacity

23. What do you need to succeed? Questions/comments Thank you !