Wednesday, June 15, 2011
The Philanthropy Column
The latest edition of The Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal has been released! The Summer edition focuses on Partnerships Toward Collective Social Impact; Community Impact Strategies; and Generational Leadership Targeting Social Entrepreneurs. It also includes my first Philanthropy Column which explores and better defines the growing industry of philanthropic advising. I asked fellow advisors in the Greater Philadelphia area to weigh in on the profession and share their views on the changing needs and interests of their clients. I would love your feedback on the article so please feel free to comment!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
First Loan to a Kiva Borrower
I just made my first loan through Kiva (www.kiva.org). I lent money to a woman farmer named Maricel. Marciel lives in the Philippines and is married with 2 children. Her oldest child is only 5 years old. She is a farmer working in Sta. Josefa, Agusan del sur. She has been growing rice for 5 years. She earns 5,000 PHP per month doing this farming. She requested a loan of $250 to purchase seeds, fertilizers and other farm inputs. In the future, she hopes to improve her business and be able to sustain her family. 8 people lent Marciel the money she needs and my loan put her at $250.
Marciel came to Kiva through Field Partner, Community Economic Ventures, Inc. (CEVI), based in Bohol. In addition to providing credit for its clients, CEVI provides savings, insurance, and training through regular cluster group meetings.
The processes to register, to view profiles of borrowers and to actually make a loan were seamless. Kiva asks for lenders to "tip" them with each loan in order to help pay for the costs of providing infrastructure. This tip is optional. They do not take a piece of the loan as it goes directly to the borrower.
This service is a great way to get started in microfinance. Kiva makes it easy to select the sector focus of your loan - their featured loans are group loans, housing loans and agriculture loans. There are currently over 1300 loans available. Kiva provides a profile of the borrower, information on the Field Partner and the use and terms of the loan. All Field Partners are rated for their ability to cultivate and support borrowers.
This initiative is about giving a hand up to entrepreneurs working towards better lives for themselves, their families and their communities.
Marciel came to Kiva through Field Partner, Community Economic Ventures, Inc. (CEVI), based in Bohol. In addition to providing credit for its clients, CEVI provides savings, insurance, and training through regular cluster group meetings.
The processes to register, to view profiles of borrowers and to actually make a loan were seamless. Kiva asks for lenders to "tip" them with each loan in order to help pay for the costs of providing infrastructure. This tip is optional. They do not take a piece of the loan as it goes directly to the borrower.
This service is a great way to get started in microfinance. Kiva makes it easy to select the sector focus of your loan - their featured loans are group loans, housing loans and agriculture loans. There are currently over 1300 loans available. Kiva provides a profile of the borrower, information on the Field Partner and the use and terms of the loan. All Field Partners are rated for their ability to cultivate and support borrowers.
This initiative is about giving a hand up to entrepreneurs working towards better lives for themselves, their families and their communities.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Bolder Giving: Great Teleconference with Diane Feeney
I participated in a teleconference call today sponsored by Bolder Giving and featuring Diane Feeney. Diane's father is Chuck Feeney, the co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers. Mr. Feeney donated his entire business interests to Atlantic Philanthropies and ensured that the foundation would pay-out in his lifetime. Diane and her family set up the French American Charitable Trust (FACT), to fund social justice causes in the U.S. and France. The foundation's focus is funding community organizations and grassroots groups, directly helping people and organizations who suffer from social inequality.
Influenced by her father, Diane guided her family's foundation to pay-out assets in her lifetime. After having donated $54 million to social justices causes, FACT will soon close its doors.
The call was hosted by Anne Ellinger, co-founder of Bolder Giving. The mission of Bolder Giving is to inspire and support people to give at their full potential. Diane described the conversation she and her family had to decide to pay-out the assets of the foundation. She talked about how surprised she was at the 5% minimum pay-out requirement of U.S. foundations AND the fact that the 5% has in some instances turned into a cap. Diane fully believes in the "giving while living" philosophy. Her family made the decision for two reasons: First, they wanted to apply as much money to their programs of interest and second it was a great way for the family to come together and they did not want to open it to the next generation.
The foundation is currently in the process of closing. Anne asked Diane about whether the family will stay connected despite not having the foundation. Diane responded by saying that the process has been positive and actually brought her family together. She is going on to start a giving program with her sister once the foundation is fully closed. Diane is personally interested in women's economic development and it will be the focus her future work.
One of the attendees asked Diane about her own identity once the foundation is closed. The fact that she has found her next step and still has her own personal giving has helped her, but she believes it is important to not solely identify with the donor part of one's self.
Another attendee asked about the impact of closing the foundation on their grantees. They funded about 30 organizations each year over 10-15 years. They informed the grantees 4 years ago about their plans to pay-out the assets of the foundation. They shifted their grant focus a bit and ensured that the grantees had fundraising plans in place. They made two-year grants to help grantees diversify and strengthen their fundraising capacity and capabilities.
I turned the conversation towards impact investing. Diane's foundation did not make many investments, but she does see value in aligning investing with the mission and supporting overall grantmaking.
It is always interesting to hear a person's story and experiences. It was an inspiring conversation taking a different look at the level of gifting, the timing of pay-out and the fundamental philosophies which guide gifting.
Influenced by her father, Diane guided her family's foundation to pay-out assets in her lifetime. After having donated $54 million to social justices causes, FACT will soon close its doors.
The call was hosted by Anne Ellinger, co-founder of Bolder Giving. The mission of Bolder Giving is to inspire and support people to give at their full potential. Diane described the conversation she and her family had to decide to pay-out the assets of the foundation. She talked about how surprised she was at the 5% minimum pay-out requirement of U.S. foundations AND the fact that the 5% has in some instances turned into a cap. Diane fully believes in the "giving while living" philosophy. Her family made the decision for two reasons: First, they wanted to apply as much money to their programs of interest and second it was a great way for the family to come together and they did not want to open it to the next generation.
The foundation is currently in the process of closing. Anne asked Diane about whether the family will stay connected despite not having the foundation. Diane responded by saying that the process has been positive and actually brought her family together. She is going on to start a giving program with her sister once the foundation is fully closed. Diane is personally interested in women's economic development and it will be the focus her future work.
One of the attendees asked Diane about her own identity once the foundation is closed. The fact that she has found her next step and still has her own personal giving has helped her, but she believes it is important to not solely identify with the donor part of one's self.
Another attendee asked about the impact of closing the foundation on their grantees. They funded about 30 organizations each year over 10-15 years. They informed the grantees 4 years ago about their plans to pay-out the assets of the foundation. They shifted their grant focus a bit and ensured that the grantees had fundraising plans in place. They made two-year grants to help grantees diversify and strengthen their fundraising capacity and capabilities.
I turned the conversation towards impact investing. Diane's foundation did not make many investments, but she does see value in aligning investing with the mission and supporting overall grantmaking.
It is always interesting to hear a person's story and experiences. It was an inspiring conversation taking a different look at the level of gifting, the timing of pay-out and the fundamental philosophies which guide gifting.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Night Out With Meaning, May 4, 2011
Thank you to those who attended Night Out With Meaning on May 4, 2011. A special thank you to Marjorie Margolies for sharing her story! I received many emails of gratitude for the opportunity to hear Marjorie's story and be surrounded by thoughtful women.
Marjorie weaved her experiences as Congresswoman, broadcast journalist, adoptive mother, Director and Deputy Chair of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Fourth World Conference On Women and her recent role as founder and president of Women's Campaign International - a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing participation of women in political, market and civic process in 20 countries.
I received a request to create a Facebook Group to better connect with other women in the room and to continue the conversation. Here is the link to join: Night Out With Meaning.
I look forward to inviting people to the next Night Out in November 2011!
Marjorie weaved her experiences as Congresswoman, broadcast journalist, adoptive mother, Director and Deputy Chair of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Fourth World Conference On Women and her recent role as founder and president of Women's Campaign International - a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing participation of women in political, market and civic process in 20 countries.
I received a request to create a Facebook Group to better connect with other women in the room and to continue the conversation. Here is the link to join: Night Out With Meaning.
I look forward to inviting people to the next Night Out in November 2011!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal: Spring Edition
The Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal edition “Innovations in Education” featuring over 50 local, regional, and national authors/experts, will be released on April 7 after their public launch in partnership with Young Involved Philadelphia at WHYY at 5:30. RSVP now! Invitation Link.
If you want to receive the Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal Editions please subscribe by going to this link.
This edition of the Journal also features a new columnist...ME! There is much happening in the world of philanthropy. There is a wider emphasis on strategy and a greater focus on impact. The notion of using today’s money to solve today’s problems is becoming more accepted. And the infrastructure to support the transfer of capital to social and environmental causes is changing dramatically. I will explore these topics and more in a regular column for the Journal focusing on philanthropy.
If you want to receive the Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal Editions please subscribe by going to this link.
This edition of the Journal also features a new columnist...ME! There is much happening in the world of philanthropy. There is a wider emphasis on strategy and a greater focus on impact. The notion of using today’s money to solve today’s problems is becoming more accepted. And the infrastructure to support the transfer of capital to social and environmental causes is changing dramatically. I will explore these topics and more in a regular column for the Journal focusing on philanthropy.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Japan and Catastrophic Gifting
We've all been captivated and struck by the devastation in Japan. Glued to our televisions and computers we can't help but watch and read the many stories of destruction, humanity, science, and faith. There are so many calls for donations to nonprofit organizations to provide humanitarian and infrastructure support. I thought it would be good to remind everyone of some best practices as it relates to catastrophic gifting.
The Council on Foundations, in collaboration with the European Foundation Centre, published a post-9/11 guide called "Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations." The guide is a helpful resource in determining how to respond to disasters, whether they be natural or man made. Here is a summary of the guide's "Eight Principles of Disaster Management".
1. Do no harm. Make sure that the response isn't going to create more problems. Aid groups, more than anything, request cash rather than goods and services.
2. Stop, look & listen before taking action. Make sure that you understand the specifics of the disaster. While the immediate response to the disaster is gratifying, one lesson learned from 9/11 was that many aid decisions were made in haste and failed to take into account long-term needs.
3. Don't act in isolation. Coordinate efforts with other groups.
4. Think beyond the immediate crisis to the long-term. What will be needed in six months? A year?
5. Bear in mind the expertise of local organizations. Some of the most effective global aid organizations have longstanding relationships with local leaders and NGOs in the affected countries that have enabled them to respond quickly and effectively to the crisis.
6. Find out how prospective grantees operate. Know what approach you are supporting before you make a grant.
7. Be accountable to those you are trying to help. In addition to internal accountability- determining if the grant was spent as it was supposed to be by the recipient organization- funders need to also engage their grantees in a process that assesses social impact.
8. Communicate your work widely, and use it as an educational tool. Share your experience with boards, other grantmakers, the media, community groups, public officials and international organizations.
I also just read a great summary from Guidestar as it relates to catastrophic gifting and have included a link here. They call it their "Tips to Giving to Disaster Relief and Recovery."
The best piece of advice when gifting during a catastrophy is to research the organization and make sure the gift is restricted to the disaster for which you are supporting.
The Council on Foundations, in collaboration with the European Foundation Centre, published a post-9/11 guide called "Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations." The guide is a helpful resource in determining how to respond to disasters, whether they be natural or man made. Here is a summary of the guide's "Eight Principles of Disaster Management".
1. Do no harm. Make sure that the response isn't going to create more problems. Aid groups, more than anything, request cash rather than goods and services.
2. Stop, look & listen before taking action. Make sure that you understand the specifics of the disaster. While the immediate response to the disaster is gratifying, one lesson learned from 9/11 was that many aid decisions were made in haste and failed to take into account long-term needs.
3. Don't act in isolation. Coordinate efforts with other groups.
4. Think beyond the immediate crisis to the long-term. What will be needed in six months? A year?
5. Bear in mind the expertise of local organizations. Some of the most effective global aid organizations have longstanding relationships with local leaders and NGOs in the affected countries that have enabled them to respond quickly and effectively to the crisis.
6. Find out how prospective grantees operate. Know what approach you are supporting before you make a grant.
7. Be accountable to those you are trying to help. In addition to internal accountability- determining if the grant was spent as it was supposed to be by the recipient organization- funders need to also engage their grantees in a process that assesses social impact.
8. Communicate your work widely, and use it as an educational tool. Share your experience with boards, other grantmakers, the media, community groups, public officials and international organizations.
I also just read a great summary from Guidestar as it relates to catastrophic gifting and have included a link here. They call it their "Tips to Giving to Disaster Relief and Recovery."
The best piece of advice when gifting during a catastrophy is to research the organization and make sure the gift is restricted to the disaster for which you are supporting.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Some nice press
harp-weaver LLC was just featured in Chestnut Hill magazine, Life on the Hill. It provides a good overview of services provided and bit about the path that got me here. The article starts on page 39. I would welcome feedback and comments! Here is the link.
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