NONPROFITS: POWERED BY PHILANTHROPY


Philanthropy—charitable giving of one’s time, talent, or treasure—is the spark that ignites each nonprofit’s mission. Inspired philanthropists recognize that the best philanthropy is a catalyst, enabling the assembly of key resources to achieve lasting results for the common good. Whether you call it tactical, strategic, social, catalytic, or just plain philanthropy, there is no shortage of advice to philanthropists on how to leverage their support for the greatest impact. The bottom line, though, is to ask the right questions.


• On what research or evidence did your organization design its programs? • What information does the organization collect about its programs? • How does the organization analyze the information it collects? • How has the nonprofit adjusted its activities in response to new information? • Does the organization have as its absolute focus producing results?


[Excerpted from Opinion: Probing Questions All Donors Should Ask Before Making a Significant Gift, Chronicle of Philanthropy, October 3, 2010]


For nonprofits to truly achieve mission, they cannot operate in a vacuum. Nonprofit organiza- tions are at their best when they engage in careful strategic planning and evaluation, rigorous community engagement, and strategic partnerships within and across sectors—with nonprofits, businesses, colleges and universities, and government. Philanthropists can and do empower the nonprofits they support to align mission with resources to achieve real results.


Giving circles are a form of philanthro- py where individuals pool their money and decide


as a group which charities to support.


Started in 2009, the Future Fund is a giving circle in the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation for people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. In the inaugu- ral year, 96 members pooled $30,000 and chose the grant-making theme of education. The 2010-2011 membership includes 194 members who will grant approximately $57,000 in May 2011. Registration for year three opens June 2011. Visit www.cacfonline.org


Women United in Philanthropy (WUIP) was formed in 2004 with the goal of fostering women’s philanthropy while helping the Charlottesville/ Albemarle area by addressing human service needs. In 2010, WUIP’s over 240 members donated $40,000 to The Women’s Initiative. Visit www.unitedwaytja.org/womenunited.shtml.


“The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation witnesses every day the profound impact that philanthropy has on individual lives and the health and well-being of our community. We challenge past, present, and future philan- thropists to consider, create, and achieve their charitable goals, and look forward to partnering with you in this worthwhile endeavor.”


John R. Redick President


Charlottesville Area Community Foundation


Interested in learning more about best practices in philanthropy?


Check out these resources: Chronicle of Philanthropy


www.philanthropy.com Charity Navigator


www.charitynavigator.org Philanthropy Journal


www.philanthropyjournal.org Philanthropedia


www.myphilanthropedia.org CENTER FOR NONPROFIT EXCELLENCE 7


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