News from the Institute for Leaders in Development

History of Philanthropy in the US

Rebecca Arno, Chief Impact and Innovation Officer, Barton Institute for Community Action [pictured right], led the morning session, which provided an understanding of how the third sector came to be and how the history of charitable giving in the U.S. created the environment we have today.

The Role of Women Throughout History
The Smithsonian article, "The Storied History of Giving in America" includes diverse perspectives about the role of women in philanthropy. Interestingly, social activist Emily Bissel worried that women getting the vote would take away from their power in the charitable space.

A few decades later and thousands of miles away, a group of young activists in New York’s Chinatown also understood the connections between access to health care and equal citizenship." The group formed what would become the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center that still exists today.

Consider the Role of the Government in Forming/Balancing the Nonprofit Sector

(1) Regulation of influence (laws allowing and prohibiting lobbying); (2) Taxation (early tax laws spurred the creation of major foundations); (3) Involvement in addressing social issues: Hoover’s “low-cost governance” vs. Roosevelt’s “New Deal"

Philanthropy isn’t just for the wealthy

Early examples of mass philanthropy include campaigns to support the Red Cross and other public health campaigns.
Narratives of philanthropy are diverse and inspiring, a few groups to know:

Black Resilience of Colorado | Latino Community Foundation of Colorado

Native Americans in Philanthropy

Introducing the Newest ILD Class

Congratulations on your Graduation!

The Class of 2023 graduated May 16th at University of

Denver. ILD was pleased to welcome Lorii Rabinowitz, Chief Executive Officer of Denver Scholarship Foundation as the keynote speaker. Lorii recognized ILD, including alumni who've worked on her team for their achievements and dedication to this important and fulfilling work. Jeremy Johnson spoke on behalf of his class perfectly summarizing the ILD experience from the excitement at the beginning, to the numerous opportunities to learn from one another throughout the year, to the Capstone project and presentations.

Alumni, volunteers, board members, faculty, sponsoring organizations and guests of our alumni enjoyed the evening reception. We are happy to welcome each of you to the ILD alumni community!

Graduates front row left to right: Sam Lincoln, Sarah Korn, Chrsti Meyer, Jenna Kamlet, Leslie LeFever, Jeremy Jones. Back row left to right: Gaby Garayar, Jenny Martin, Aimee Quadri-Chavez, Theresa Garcia, and Maggie St. Clair.

Not pictured: Marsha High III

Led by Gordon Smith (below left), Associate Vice President, Planned Giving, National Jewish Health | Also featuring panelists Krista Boscoe (below center), Director of Development and Kevin Mullin NMN CFRE, ILD '13 (below right), President, Estes Park Health Foundation

Many of you have had the chance to learn from Gordon over the years. You likely remember one his donor stories--relationships built over many years in support to National Jewish. Once again, Gordon led the class through the basics of planned giving, with the goal of helping each participant become more confident in asking for planned gifts and also leveraging these gifts as part of a blended gift. Dispelling the persistent myth that planned giving is just too complicated, he makes the topic approachable as he shares his expertise.

Panelists Krista and Kevin both manage successful planned giving programs in smaller shops, with fewer resources and staff time to allocate. Class members learned how each decides which elements to outsource versus complete in-house to help save time. As we've heard throughout the year, carefully planning your time and managing your calendar is another important part of making time for planned giving.

Led by Jon Kraus, Executive Director, Gift Planning, University of Denver

Jon led the ILD through the process of identifying which of your donors may be interested and well positioned to make a planned gift. We're happy to highlight one resource he shared from TIAA Kaspick. Their acronym provides a summary below. Keeping this framework in mind will help you think about who your donor is, what they value and support, their assets, future plans, and financial planning/management. Learning about each aspect will help you steward your donor towards the gift that will make the greatest impact and honor their values. 

People
Assets
Passions
Plans
Advisors

Comprehensive Campaigns

Led by Mary Feller (right), Executive Director, Craig Hospital Foundation and Jenny Hopkins (right), Past Board Chair, Craig Hospital Foundation
and Managing Director, Crescendo Capital Partners

Characteristics for a Successful Campaign

• Organizational Leadership
  
• Compelling Case Linked to Strategic Plan
• Major Gifts Program
• Organization has Positive Image
• Strong Board of Directors

Led by Kristin Calder, CPA (pictured right) and Ken Fichter, CPA (pictured below, right) from Kundinger, Corder & Montoya P.C. Denver

"The speakers were such great teachers and very patient with our questions! It made finances feels so much less intimidating."

A general understanding of financials is important for all fundraisers. Whether you're closely involved in management and budgeting, or relied upon to provide the right reports for a financially savvy donor, preparation is key. Kristin and Ken provided a fantastic overview and led great conversations around reporting, booking gifts, review audit reports, and understanding financial statements.

Apply by April 3, 2023

The Institute for Leaders in Development (ILD) is now accepting applications for its Class of 2024. This nine-month program includes monthly, full-day sessions with an in-depth curriculum, mentor program, and the chance to create a customized project addressing a need or opportunity in your own organization and/or career. We’re prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion and working to build a program where participants of all backgrounds feel welcomed and embraced for the unique and powerful perspectives and experiences they model for this program and for the future of the fundraising profession.

Led by Brie Aguila (picture right, top), Assistant Vice Chancellor for External Relations, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Keri Kallaway (pictured right, below), Vice President, Donor and Volunteer Engagement, Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation

Do you know your organization's donor retention rate?
A 2021 survey found that nationally, the average retention rate is 45%. It probably comes as no surprise that it's much more expensive to acquire new donors than it is to retain your current donors. Local experts Keri and Brie share ways they've worked to increase retention at their organizations along with best practices from the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP). 

Highlights + no. 

• Replacing a donor can cost up to seven times the amount of keeping an existing one.

• Retain your donors by following the Rule of Seven: create 7 opportunities or touch points with your donor before the next ask.

• Penelope Burk's research found that a nonprofit will lose 77% of first-time donors if not thanked within 48 - 72 hours.

Planning for & Measuring Success

One easy way to track your donor's experience is to think about all of the experiences, opportunities, and communications you have with your donors: (1) core stewardship; (2) recognition; (3) regular stewardship; (4) events; (5) communications, etc. Then, use columns to track which touch points apply to each donor, level, or group.

Led by Renee Feruffino, ILD '16
Vice President of Development, Women's Foundation of Colorado

Recommended Reading/Viewing

Everyday Donors of Color, August 2021      
Philanthropy So White 2021 (YouTube link)
No Longer Talking About Race with While People blog post and book by Reni Eddo-Lodge

Each organization must undergo internal work and ask whether they are doing the work to be able to steward and connect with donors of color.

This could look like:

• Direct investment in black entrepreneurship
• Establishing giving circles that reflect common values and build community, shared impact
• Highlight causes that are personal and hyper local

Representation and Participation on Board of Directors and Investment Committees Matters

• Consider the Data
  --Board Source: 78% of board member were white
  --Center for Effective Philanthropy: Of 218 Foundations, more than half (57%) had fewer than 25% people of color representation on their board.
• Building authentic relationships and inviting donors of color to serve in leadership roles in your organization demonstrate commitment and show your donors that you are walking the talk