SDSVP is continuing to compile articles and resources showing how philanthropy can lead the way in helping nonprofits during these hard economic times. Click on the links below for the articles, then share your thoughts by commenting on the SDSVP blog.
Strategic Philanthropy in Tough Times by Paul Brest
Thoughts on how the strategic philanthropist should respond to this nearly unprecedented situation.
How to Survive a Week of Moral Hazards by Peter Karoff, Partner SVP Santa Barbara
In these unprecedented circumstances, what will be philanthropy’s response, what could it be, and how do we avoid what economists call “moral hazards”.
Bank Releases Initial Philanthropy Findings from the Boston Globe
Study shows that attitudes toward philanthropy are evolving
December 31, 2008
Bank Releases Initial Philanthropy Findings
From the Boston Globe
November 24, 2008
"Nearly 60 percent of wealthy households who stopped giving to a charitable organization attributed their change in philanthropic behavior to 'no longer feeling connected to the organization,'" Bank of America Corp. said today.
That's one headline from initial findings of a new survey commissioned by the bank's global wealth and investment management unit, which is based in Boston; the full study is scheduled for release early next year.
The study, the bank said in a press release, reflects the opinions of nearly 700 respondents with household income greater than $200,000 and/or net-worth of at least $1 million.
One insight from the study indicates that "wealthy donors are giving more strategically and are increasingly turning to legal and financial professionals as primary sources for advice about charitable giving decisions," said the bank, which is headquartered in North Carolina.
A recent Globe story, which focused on young Jewish donors, noted how attitudes toward philanthropy are evolving. To read that story, please click here.
November 24, 2008
"Nearly 60 percent of wealthy households who stopped giving to a charitable organization attributed their change in philanthropic behavior to 'no longer feeling connected to the organization,'" Bank of America Corp. said today.
That's one headline from initial findings of a new survey commissioned by the bank's global wealth and investment management unit, which is based in Boston; the full study is scheduled for release early next year.
The study, the bank said in a press release, reflects the opinions of nearly 700 respondents with household income greater than $200,000 and/or net-worth of at least $1 million.
One insight from the study indicates that "wealthy donors are giving more strategically and are increasingly turning to legal and financial professionals as primary sources for advice about charitable giving decisions," said the bank, which is headquartered in North Carolina.
A recent Globe story, which focused on young Jewish donors, noted how attitudes toward philanthropy are evolving. To read that story, please click here.
Getting Old Ain't for Sissies!
By Leane Marchese, Executive Director, ElderHelp of San Diego
I want to share with you a story of one of ElderHelp's seniors:
Mr. Paulson rode his bike for 20 years as a way to save money and keep fit in retirement. He lives on social security and a small pension and manages to keep independent and healthy.
Every couple of weeks or so he would come by the ElderHelp offices to make copies and to just say 'Hi!'. Last fall, each time he came in the office he shared that his bicycle was getting more and more rickety and he was worried he would not be able to ride it past the first of the year.
Immediately, the ElderHelp team began searching for a way to buy him a new bike. We gathered enough donations and parked a shiny new bike next to ElderHelp's Christmas tree awaiting Mr. Paulson's next visit. In he came bundled up with red cheeks glowing on a rather chilly (San Diego) December day.
We hailed all staff and volunteers into the lobby and presented Mr. Paulson with his new bike. Large crocodile tears welled up in his eyes and he shared that he had not received a holiday gift in over ten years! He was so surprised and excited and didn't know what to say!
Who would know that receiving a bicycle at the age of 85 would be as magical as when we were 8!
Just this past October, Mr. Paulson had to permanently give up riding his bike due to his impaired vision, but ElderHelp continues to be there for him and provide a valuable connection to services and people who care.
Together we can make such an amazing impact on the life of seniors in need!
I want to share with you a story of one of ElderHelp's seniors:
Mr. Paulson rode his bike for 20 years as a way to save money and keep fit in retirement. He lives on social security and a small pension and manages to keep independent and healthy.
Every couple of weeks or so he would come by the ElderHelp offices to make copies and to just say 'Hi!'. Last fall, each time he came in the office he shared that his bicycle was getting more and more rickety and he was worried he would not be able to ride it past the first of the year.
Immediately, the ElderHelp team began searching for a way to buy him a new bike. We gathered enough donations and parked a shiny new bike next to ElderHelp's Christmas tree awaiting Mr. Paulson's next visit. In he came bundled up with red cheeks glowing on a rather chilly (San Diego) December day.
We hailed all staff and volunteers into the lobby and presented Mr. Paulson with his new bike. Large crocodile tears welled up in his eyes and he shared that he had not received a holiday gift in over ten years! He was so surprised and excited and didn't know what to say!
Who would know that receiving a bicycle at the age of 85 would be as magical as when we were 8!
Just this past October, Mr. Paulson had to permanently give up riding his bike due to his impaired vision, but ElderHelp continues to be there for him and provide a valuable connection to services and people who care.
Together we can make such an amazing impact on the life of seniors in need!
CSH Marketing Initiatives Underway with SDSVP Resources
By Simonne Ruff, Associate Director, Corporation for Supportive Housing – San Diego
Lead Partner: Sherri Neasham
With the help of SDSVP, the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) has focused efforts on understanding why less than 25% of funds available to San Diego to develop supportive housing have been used locally. The rest of these funds, which could have created new projects in San Diego, have been used on developments elsewhere in the state. It is clear that a lack of understanding of supportive housing has been a significant barrier to the development of new projects.
To bolster the capacity of CSH San Diego, a marketing plan was developed with SDSVP resources and expertise. With target markets clearly identified, the action plan is guiding the plan’s implementation. SDSVP has also enabled CSH to partner with the SDSU Entrepreneurial Management Center and engage a master’s level business intern to assist in this work.
Tenant profiles are being collected to form a dossier of success stories which highlight the profound impact of supportive housing on people’s lives; documenting the path that has enabled them to permanently exit life on the streets. In addition, a speaker’s bureau is being formed, enabling community leaders, business owners, faith communities and the like to stand up in support of projects. This speaker’s bureau will be available to all partners involved in supportive housing projects and will provide critical and timely support as we work to ensure people have the chance to permanently leave homelessness.
CSH welcomes SDSVP Partners with marketing, communications, or public relations expertise to expand on the work that is currently underway. CSH is continuing to build its marketing expertise in order to meet the three year vision of enabling 250 homeless individuals with disabling health conditions to exit the streets and remain housed for one year in sustainable permanent supportive housing.
Lead Partner: Sherri Neasham
With the help of SDSVP, the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) has focused efforts on understanding why less than 25% of funds available to San Diego to develop supportive housing have been used locally. The rest of these funds, which could have created new projects in San Diego, have been used on developments elsewhere in the state. It is clear that a lack of understanding of supportive housing has been a significant barrier to the development of new projects.
To bolster the capacity of CSH San Diego, a marketing plan was developed with SDSVP resources and expertise. With target markets clearly identified, the action plan is guiding the plan’s implementation. SDSVP has also enabled CSH to partner with the SDSU Entrepreneurial Management Center and engage a master’s level business intern to assist in this work.
Tenant profiles are being collected to form a dossier of success stories which highlight the profound impact of supportive housing on people’s lives; documenting the path that has enabled them to permanently exit life on the streets. In addition, a speaker’s bureau is being formed, enabling community leaders, business owners, faith communities and the like to stand up in support of projects. This speaker’s bureau will be available to all partners involved in supportive housing projects and will provide critical and timely support as we work to ensure people have the chance to permanently leave homelessness.
CSH welcomes SDSVP Partners with marketing, communications, or public relations expertise to expand on the work that is currently underway. CSH is continuing to build its marketing expertise in order to meet the three year vision of enabling 250 homeless individuals with disabling health conditions to exit the streets and remain housed for one year in sustainable permanent supportive housing.
Meet Partner, JoAnne Berg!
By Paul Thiel
After years running her own business and raising a family, JoAnne Berg is finally seeing some free time…and so she’s filling it by joining SDSVP. “My youngest just left for college and my employees are mostly running the company now,” she says. “I knew I’d always get more involved on a philanthropic level because I really enjoy it.”
A CPA by training, Berg ran her own firm catering to closely held companies when she and her husband formed their own manufacturing firm, Spectrum Concepts Inc., to make the plastic injection-molded pieces that fit inside furniture to hold DVDs, CDs and the like. Spectrum’s pieces can be found in fine furniture such as that made by Drexel Heritage and Ethan Allen.
Berg’s husband, Tom Hunt, is still deeply involved in the business, while her children are building their own futures. Step-son Josh Jones, 31, is a professional bass player in Las Vegas, while daughter Sara Hunt, 18, is in her first year as a creative writing major at Chapman University in Orange County. That leaves Berg with capacity to give back to the community through SDSVP.
Berg’s background, in addition to accounting and manufacturing, extends to purchasing, logistics, real estate development, finance and risk management – all areas of expertise she hopes to bring to bear for SDSVP’s clients. She expects her biggest impact will be in helping non-profits advance their financial acumen.
“No one knows how to manage the books,” she jokes. Seriously, she says, “financial management for non-profits is twice as difficult as it is in the for-profit world. You think it’s a simple little business model, but it’s anything but that.”
The challenge, Berg says, is in tracking a matrix of revenue streams and expenses that provides accountability for both the non-profit itself as well as for its various constituencies – the state and federal governments, foundations and other grantmakers, etc. – many of whom have very specific requirements.
“Even for the $350,000-in-revenue groups we work with, it’s really hard because everything they do have different requirements,” Berg says. “It is much more complicated than my business, and my business is built to do $10 million to $20 million. But we do one thing, so it’s much more scalable.”
“Those people have a lot to offer for-profit executives, and vice versa,” says Berg. “I see a convergence of business models coming. We really have a lot to learn from the non-profit sector, and them from us,” says Berg. “There is a huge learning curve on both sides, but we are all in this together.”
JoAnne came to SDSVP when a friend introduced her to Alan Sorkin, knowing that she had done a great deal of ad-hoc work for non-profits over the years. Berg says the aspect she enjoys most about working with non-profits is meeting people who have a much different view of the world than she does. “It’s pure joy, just in terms of enhancing your life, to meet these people who have given their lives to making the world a little better place,” she says. “They have a whole different perspective. So many wonderful people.”
Come meet JoAnne as she leads the “Finance and Legal Affairs” session at SDSVP’s Partner Bootcamp!
After years running her own business and raising a family, JoAnne Berg is finally seeing some free time…and so she’s filling it by joining SDSVP. “My youngest just left for college and my employees are mostly running the company now,” she says. “I knew I’d always get more involved on a philanthropic level because I really enjoy it.”
A CPA by training, Berg ran her own firm catering to closely held companies when she and her husband formed their own manufacturing firm, Spectrum Concepts Inc., to make the plastic injection-molded pieces that fit inside furniture to hold DVDs, CDs and the like. Spectrum’s pieces can be found in fine furniture such as that made by Drexel Heritage and Ethan Allen.
Berg’s husband, Tom Hunt, is still deeply involved in the business, while her children are building their own futures. Step-son Josh Jones, 31, is a professional bass player in Las Vegas, while daughter Sara Hunt, 18, is in her first year as a creative writing major at Chapman University in Orange County. That leaves Berg with capacity to give back to the community through SDSVP.
Berg’s background, in addition to accounting and manufacturing, extends to purchasing, logistics, real estate development, finance and risk management – all areas of expertise she hopes to bring to bear for SDSVP’s clients. She expects her biggest impact will be in helping non-profits advance their financial acumen.
“No one knows how to manage the books,” she jokes. Seriously, she says, “financial management for non-profits is twice as difficult as it is in the for-profit world. You think it’s a simple little business model, but it’s anything but that.”
The challenge, Berg says, is in tracking a matrix of revenue streams and expenses that provides accountability for both the non-profit itself as well as for its various constituencies – the state and federal governments, foundations and other grantmakers, etc. – many of whom have very specific requirements.
“Even for the $350,000-in-revenue groups we work with, it’s really hard because everything they do have different requirements,” Berg says. “It is much more complicated than my business, and my business is built to do $10 million to $20 million. But we do one thing, so it’s much more scalable.”
“Those people have a lot to offer for-profit executives, and vice versa,” says Berg. “I see a convergence of business models coming. We really have a lot to learn from the non-profit sector, and them from us,” says Berg. “There is a huge learning curve on both sides, but we are all in this together.”
JoAnne came to SDSVP when a friend introduced her to Alan Sorkin, knowing that she had done a great deal of ad-hoc work for non-profits over the years. Berg says the aspect she enjoys most about working with non-profits is meeting people who have a much different view of the world than she does. “It’s pure joy, just in terms of enhancing your life, to meet these people who have given their lives to making the world a little better place,” she says. “They have a whole different perspective. So many wonderful people.”
Come meet JoAnne as she leads the “Finance and Legal Affairs” session at SDSVP’s Partner Bootcamp!
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