ULTRA WEALTHY ACCOUNT FOR 36% OF INDIVIDUAL GIVING, GLOBALLY –– HOW TO EMPOWER THE OTHER 64%?
Recently Wealth-X released its Spotlight on Major Giving in 2020 which highlights the significance major donors have played in the 2020 giving ecosystem, especially when it comes to Covid-19 philanthropy and efforts to support social justice movements.
Key insights from Spotlight on Major Giving in 2020 include:
– The global ultra wealthy population accounted for 36% of individual giving in 2019 – UHNW individuals accounted for 20% of total global giving (includes institutions and public foundations).
– The ultra wealthy have given or pledged over $7.4 billion to Covid-19 and social justice causes – the amount the ultra wealthy and their private foundations gave or pledged to such causes during the period January to October 2020 according to the Wealth-X Database.
– UHNW Covid-19 and social justice philanthropists tend to be younger and more generous in their donations than average major UHNW philanthropists – under 18% of these two groups are over 70, compared with 46% of the latter.
– Major donors are changing the way they engage with philanthropy – trends include an increased awareness of the importance of philanthropy, a greater openness to unrestricted funding and a greater collaboration among donors.
– The challenges of 2020 underscore the need for organizations to realize the potential of their major giving programs – amid the financial necessity of funding diversification, there remains huge potential for further growth in major giving.
Juxtapose this against a recent conversation with a potential client who described their populist fundraising practices as “slow and old, with no modern techniques, segmentation, micro-targeting or focus on micro donors, solicitation through social media, use of text, mobile banking, or other contemporary methods to collect donations”.
What does this say about the spectrum of donors and approaches that need to be deployed to give everyone and opportunity to contribute when, how, and at the level they desire?
Now more than ever before the variables and complexity of fundraising are coming into play for all organizations seeking to “maximize their file”. I have often described the pipeline of support as a continuum between the $5 donor and the $50 million donor with everyone in between. In fact, the largest gift on record reported for 2020 was $10 Billion.
Contributions at all levels don’t occur in a vacuum, and it goes beyond understanding donor capacity, inclination and readiness, and corresponding cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. Behind every gift there is culture of philanthropy, and constellation of relationships with leadership, development staff and others around a donor/prospect, and a symphony of activity leading to a crescendo of support. And most importantly, successful development requires a permission structure from the leadership at the top. By this I mean it takes bold, courageous, institutional leaders and Board members to encourage the organization to try new things, take risks, invest in Blue Ocean Strategies and big ideas, to “maximize their file”.
With this in mind I am pleased to present a thought-provoking article A Board “Give and Get” Policy is Key to a Nonprofit’s Success penned by Senior Associate, Gina Reiss, who we introduce with pride below.
Our network of subject experts with specific technical expertise is well positioned to support organizations to engage in divergent and creative thinking to “maximize their file”, and though each of the firm’s sixteen service offerings are relevant, one in particular, Board Training Management and Governance, profiled below, plays a particularly important role in taking advantage of the incredible opportunities this era presents.
Gina is a results-oriented leader and executive manager with three-decades of organizational and fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector at the state, national and international levels. She is an expert at building effective strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders, advocating and raising funds for human rights and social justice causes, and guiding organizations through leadership transitions or public relations crises. Over the course of her impressive career, Gina has worked with high-net-worth donors, major foundations, UN agencies, community-based organizations, and Fortune 500 corporations, and has managed diverse teams in the U.S., South East Asia, and East Africa. While a Director for the United Nations Foundation, Fast Company selected Gina among their “League of Extraordinary Women”. Gina received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London, and completed Management and Fundraising courses at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement.
Gina’s fundraising must have: Fundraising is a team effort. Every organization must have a culture of philanthropy where all Board members and staff are engaged in fundraising.
A Board “Give and Get” Policy is Key to a Nonprofit’s Success
Fundraising is central to any nonprofit Board member’s role. As a way to demonstrate commitment to the organization you serve, setting an annual fundraising goal is one of the most important things you can do to ensure the fiduciary health of the organization. It takes a culture of philanthropy that starts from the top for any nonprofit to succeed.
S. Sutton & Associates Inc. Senior Associate Gina Reiss describes the “Give and Get” policy that Boards of Directors should prioritize as part of the requirements to govern the organization they serve and explains the importance of designing engagement plans specifically to evaluate the Board’s involvement in fundraising.
Board Training, Management and Governance
Proper Board management and governance is essential for any nonprofit to assure the demands of steering, supporting and safeguarding organizations are met. Specific technical expertise is required to assure the structure and composition of the Board are suitable, meetings and communications are managed appropriately, and members understand and are equipped to fulfill their responsibilities.
S. Sutton & Associates Inc. has the technical expertise to assist with each of these areas and can help facilitate one or more to assure Boards function as intended and in the best interest of the organizations they represent.
Board Training
Boards are in place to govern, though subject to the evolution and needs of the organization, they may take on various levels of involvement which encroach upon management and operations. S. Sutton & Associates Inc. provides training for Boards in governance and leadership, core duties and roles, the Chief Executive’s mandate, techniques to build strong relationships with the Chief Executive, management and evaluation of the Chief Executive’s performance and succession planning.
Board Management
The mechanics to properly manage meetings and committees, prepare reports and communications, update bylaws and facilitate the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board, require technical expertise and diplomacy to assure all run smoothly. S. Sutton & Associates Inc. takes a hand on approach to train staff assuring structure, process and products support the success of the Board.
Board Governance
If you are interested in establishing, reinvigorating a Board, or helping the members build a culture of philanthropy, and a permission structure to take risks, wisdom to invest in Blue Ocean Strategies, big ideas and hone their leadership, we can help. S. Sutton & Associates Inc. has the technical expertise to assure Boards function as intended and in the best interest of the organizations they represent.
Client Testimonial
“Our S. Sutton & Associates Inc. Innovation team was self-driven, and willing to dig into the weeds to really understand our needs. We are an all-volunteer board, so our time is at a premium and we couldn’t afford much handholding with a consulting group, so S. Sutton & Associates Inc. was great in that respect.
We were also very impressed by the team’s familiarity with the LGBTQ+ space, their well-crafted proposal, willingness to work within our limited budget, and anecdotal success via references.”
– Jamie Leidelmeyer, Board Member at Large, Board of Directors, Northwest Arkansas Equality, Inc.
Europe
– A new investment coalition is aiming to mobilize $10 billion (€8 billion) towards “natural capital” themes across asset classes by 2022. HSBC Pollination Climate Asset Management, Lombard Odier and Mirova, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, are the three founding partners of the Natural Capital Investment Alliance, which has been established by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales under his Sustainable Markets Initiative. Speaking at a biodiversity summit, the Prince of Wales said, “The interdependence between human health and planetary health has never been more clear. For so many of the problems we face, nature, with the benefit of billions of years of evolution, has already provided us with the solutions.”
– Rome’s Mausoleum of Augustus is set to reopen to the public following a €6.5 million restoration funded by Italian telecommunications company TIM, according to Italian daily newspaper La Repubblica. The monumental tomb of Rome’s first emperor is destined to become a major draw for tourists, after decades of abandonment, and is expected to be open for free, according to La Repubblica. In addition to sponsorship from TIM, the restoration of the 13,000-sqm mausoleum – under the direction of architect Francesco Cellini – has been funded with €4 million from the city and Italy’s culture ministry.
North America
– Apple announced its latest set of major donations as part of its $100 million initiative to help dismantle systemic barriers and promote racial equality for people of color. The company split the first round into three projects, including a $25 million donation to the Propel Center, a learning hub for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It will also launch the Apple Developer Academy to support coding students in Detroit, and venture capital funding for Black and Brown founders. CEO Tim Cook announced the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative in June, following the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Lisa Jackson, the company’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, leads the program.
– Tesla CEO Elon Musk has donated $5 million to the online learning organization Khan Academy. In a YouTube video posted in January, Khan Academy founder Salman Khan thanked Musk for the donation, which the Tesla CEO made through his Musk Foundation. “Elon, I hope you really feel good about this,” Khan said in the video. “This is going to allow us to accelerate all sorts of content. Our aspirations are all subjects –– from kids to early stages of college. This will accelerate our science content, allow us to do more early learning, allow us to make the software and the practice that much more engaging.”
– Creighton University has received a $25 million donation from an unnamed foundation to create a program at its medical school for students interested in addressing poverty and improving health care in other countries. Creighton President Rev. Daniel Hendrickson said the program will begin in fall 2022. He said 12 medical students will be selected every year for 10 years to participate and they will remain in the program throughout medical school.
– Sartorius Stedim Biotech, a leading international partner of the biopharmaceutical industry, has committed $1.5 million to Penn State University to create the Sartorius Cell Culture Facility. It is slated to open in the first quarter of 2021 on the University Park campus.
– Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, is donating $100 million toward a prize for the “best carbon capture technology.” Carbon capture is a broad mix of technologies with the same aim: collecting carbon dioxide so it doesn’t escape into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. The greenhouse gas can be captured from power plants and factories, or even directly from the air.
– The University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration will receive a $75 million donation, which the school says is the largest gift ever given to a school of social work. The donation is so impressive that the university said it’s renaming the school as the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. The gift, from James and Paula Crown, will bolster financial aid, faculty research and hiring, the school announced Wednesday.
As we enter 2021, I wish all a very Happy New Year. There are many reasons to be optimistic about the New Year, yet at the same time, I remain contemplative regarding what 2020 meant for all impacted by the pandemic and the role our global network of subject experts can play to help guide and support both nonprofit organizations and philanthropists through what will undoubtedly be another challenging period.
With this in mind I am pleased to present a thought-provoking article, Leaning Into the New Normal, A practical guide on lessons learned from 2020 to make 2021 your best year ever, penned by one of our star Associates, Debbie Flinn, who we introduce with pride below.
Our network of subject experts with specific technical expertise is well positioned to support organizations challenged by the pandemic and though each of the firm’s sixteen service offerings are relevant, one in particular, Risk Management and Fundraising Governance, profiled below, plays a particularly important role during this period.
With over 20+ years’ experience Debbie Flinn, MBS, CFRE, is a fundraising/capital campaign and strategic planning expert. Deeply familiar with all aspects of institutional advancement, her expertise includes major gifts, planned giving, donor engagement and relationships, project and risk management, capacity building, obtaining and managing federal grants, and establishing corporate relationships with Fortune 500 companies.
Debbie brings expertise in creating new and sustainable funding sources for organizations in the healthcare, education, and community-based membership and advocacy sectors. And, having held significant roles the US, New Zealand and Canada, Debbie she has raised over $100 million.
Fluent in French and English, Debbie holds a BA from Carleton University, an MBA from Averett University, and a Graduate Certificate of Nonprofit Management from Duke University.
Debbie’s fundraising must have: You do good work! We can help you do better by establishing meaningful donor relationships to advance your organizational capacity.
Leaning Into the New Normal: A practical guide on lessons learned from 2020 to make 2021 your best year ever
This past year has been one of unprecedented challenges for all of us. We have had to “pivot” as the world changed from one day to the next. For non-profits, it was especially stressful: Would our donors stay with us? Should we even ask when so many lost their jobs? If they gave in the spring for COVID, would they give again at year-end?
It was a year of questions and not a lot of answers.
So, as we turn the page to 2021, first of all: THANK YOU for the difference each of you are making in the world! If you are left with worry over what this year may hold, I would like to offer a simple 5-step, practical guide to get you started on the right foot. Things you can do today that will make a difference for your organization going forward. Let’s get started.
Risk Management and Fundraising Governance
Of the sixteen services provided by S. Sutton & Associates Inc. Risk Management and Fundraising Governance is of particular import during a period when nonprofit organizations are being challenged to the hilt by the pandemic.
Risk management is essential for any organization, yet we understand that with competing demands boards need simple methods to assess risk, carefully considered solutions and if necessary, strategic remediation. In keeping with our methodology, our experts provide a complete audit and assessment of internal and external factors, articulating potential threats and actionable strategies to avoid current and future state vulnerabilities. Guidance and training for staff and leadership is available to establish a successful framework going forward.
If the board is placed in a position to consider remediation, our experts provide actionable steps for the organization to deploy and guidance for short term crisis communications and long-term confidence building measures.
Reputational risk is also tied to Fundraising Governance. Fundraising operations, and their results, present vulnerability as donors increasingly demand tangible assurance their financial support is well spent, and regulators question the costs of fundraising. We work with our clients to understand risks associated with fundraising approaches and processes, bringing knowledge of best practices and standards to assess them. We train staff and provide tools for boards to assure stakeholders the organization is in good hands, its reputation is strong, and to reinforce trust in the brand.
Client Testimonial
“S. Sutton & Associates made it incredibly easy to understand our marketing needs based on our target objectives. Starting from the Request for Proposal (RFP) response all the way to supporting our team in execution was something that truly made S. Sutton & Associates Inc. stand out.
An example of our success is the increase in traffic to our LinkedIn page that provides important updates to our Members. From the beginning of executing our marketing campaign that our S. Sutton Innovation Team developed in January 2020, our average LinkedIn visitors virtually tripled month over month throughout the year thanks to the hard work of the team at S. Sutton & Associates Inc.
Great work and would definitely work with the team again!”
– Martin Gierczak, Director at Large, Board of Directors, Disaster Recovery Institute Canada (DRIC)
Europe
– The Ukrainian-born billionaire Leonard Blavatnik has donated £10m towards the Courtauld Institute of Art in London, which will help fund the refurbishment of its prestigious gallery located at Somerset House. The Courtauld Gallery is due to open late this year following a three-year refurbishment, housing a suite of six galleries—to be named the Blavatnik Fine Rooms—that will display highlights from the Courtauld collection.
North America
– Amazon’s founder and CEO, Jeff Bezos, made the single-largest charitable contribution in 2020, according to The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s annual list of top donations, a $10 billion gift that is intended to help fight climate change. Bezos, whose “real-time” worth Forbes magazine estimates at roughly $188 billion, used the contribution to launch his Bezos Earth Fund. The fund, which supports non-profits involved in the climate crisis, has paid out $790 million to 16 groups so far, according to the Chronicle.
– The Rockefeller Foundation, established more than a century ago by oil magnate John D. Rockefeller, plans to divest from fossil fuels as it commits more capital to green investments. Under the plan, already underway, Rockefeller is expected to more than halve the portfolio’s total exposure to fossil fuels to less than 1% in the near future. No timetable was given for the full divestiture.
– Chad Richison first heard of the Giving Pledge a decade ago at a poker game organized by Warren Buffett. Richison, the CEO and founder of Oklahoma City-based payroll processing firm Paycom, was building his company then — but the idea stuck with him. Richison, now worth $3.4 billion, told Forbes that he has just signed on to the Giving Pledge, and discussed his philanthropy in his home state of Oklahoma and the focus on mental health by his foundation, Green Shoe.
– MacKenzie Scott is giving away her fortune at an unprecedented pace, donating more than $4 billion in four months after announcing $1.7 billion in gifts in July. The world’s 18th-most wealthy person outlined the latest contributions in a blog post, saying she asked her team to figure out how to give away her fortune faster. Scott’s wealth climbed $23.6 billion to $60.7 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, as Amazon.com Inc., the primary source of her fortune, has surged.
– The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted some advocates to call for providing Americans with guaranteed monthly income to help them get back on their feet. Now, one initiative is getting a $15 million donation from Twitter CEO and billionaire Jack Dorsey to help put such experiments to work. The recipient, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, a group of about 30 mayors across the country, have signed on to test guaranteed income pilot programs in their cities.
– “The Last Dance” was filled with hot dishes about Michael Jordan’s time with the six-time champion Chicago Bulls. Now, a portion of the proceeds from the Emmy-winning documentary will go toward hot dishes for the nation’s hungry. Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief outfit, thanked “His Airness” for a $2 million gift to the organization, which comes as the pandemic is pushing an inordinate number of Americans into food insecurity.
– Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s parent company pledged to donate $120 million to causes aimed at improving racial equity and the global fight against hunger over the next five years. The car rental company’s philanthropic arm, Enterprise Holdings Foundation, says the donation is part of its new ROAD Forward (Respect, Opportunity, Achievement and Diversity) initiative addressing social and racial gaps in early childhood development, youth health and wellness, and career and college preparation.
– Florida Atlantic University has received a beneficiary of $6.3 million from their estate. Their bequest will support fellowships for graduate students in the Sellinger School of Business and Management and provide fellowship assistance for graduate students in the speech-language-hearing sciences department in Loyola College of Arts and Sciences. The gift will be the largest in University history.
– The University of Houston’s Here, We Go campaign closed Aug. 31, drawing in over $1.2 billion from 187,464 donors, the university announced in October. The campaign launched quietly in 2012 and publicly January 2017. It met its $1 billion goal in 2019 but continued to accept donations.
What options or combinations of options are available to the growing body of public, private, and nonprofit entities interested in exploring this model? To understand the possibilities, let’s start with the basic social investment continuum.
Traditional Nonprofits are structured for a public or mutual benefit other than generating profit for owners and investors. They depend on support from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Nonprofits with Income Generating Models incorporate some form of revenue generation through commercial means into their operations. They can generate not only grant support, “investors” can provide cash, sub loans and senior loans in support of the revenue generating enterprise and are able to obtain equity.
For Profit Social Ventures measure both profit and a social outcome, and can include a third measure for environment, the double or triple bottom line model. These enterprises are eligible for loan guarantees, sub loans, senior loans, and cash support in exchange for equity.
Socially Responsible Businesses are for profit businesses focused both on maximizing profits for shareholders and giving back to the wider community, often with a Private B or Benefit Corporation designation. They are eligible for cash, sub and senior loans and private equity investments.
Traditional For Profit public companies integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) concerns into their core business and financial decisions. Investors are eligible for common stock, debt securities and preferred stock.
Tri-Sector Approach
Adoption of the Tri-Sector Approach, with the government adopting a social investment and social finance strategy, philanthropists and ultra-high net worth individuals adopting impact investing, and corporations and business owners, through green bond issuance and shareholder activism, are on the rise. This is exemplified through the concept of Catalytic Capital, defined as debt, equity, guarantees, and other investments that accept disproportionate risk and/or concessionary returns relative to a conventional investment in order to generate positive impact and enable third-party investment that otherwise would not be possible.
Below are examples of projects that have received support through Catalytic Capital.
– New York City Housing Acquisition Fund: Investments from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, FB Heron Foundation, Robin Hood Foundation, Starr Foundation, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development and a syndicate of commercial lending institutions.
– Sustainable Jobs Fund/SJF Ventures: A program-related investment (PRI) from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. A PRI investment is made primarily to achieve a charitable purpose rather than to maximize financial return. This vehicle, codified by the IRS in 1969 allows foundations to make investments to further their program goals without jeopardizing their charitable status if those investments generated financial gains in the process. Other first-fund investors include Bank of America, CDFI Fund (Treasury Department), Citibank, Dakota Foundation, Deutsche Bank, First Union (now Wells Fargo), MetLife, and MBNA America Bank.
– Energy Savers: PRI’s from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Grand Victoria Foundation, Bank of America, Chicago Metropolitan Area Planning, and City of Chicago.
– Autonomyworks: PRI’s from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation via Arc Chicago, LLC, a special purpose fund established bond managed by MacArthur to implement the Benefit Chicago Collaboration. This innovative collaboration also includes The Chicago Community Trust, the Calvert Foundation and aims to mobilize $100 million in impact investment for nonprofit and social enterprises in Chicago.
– Blue Forest Conservation: A PRI from The Rockefeller Foundation (following a grant), and other key investments from the Moore Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, Yuba County Water Agency, National Forest Foundation, World Resources Institute, Calvert Impact Capital and CSAA Insurance Group.
– Crossboundary Energy Access: Through $5 million in mezzanine debt from The Rockefeller Foundation and investments from Ceniarth.
– Sparks Schools: Early Series A financing through Pearson Affordable Learning Fund and Series B investments through Omidyar Network.
– Microbuild Fund: A PRI from the Omidyar Network, equity from Habitat for Humanity, Triple Jump and MetLife and debt from OPIC.
The variations of catalytic capital are numerous and create exciting opportunities for nonprofits and philanthropists alike. S. Sutton & Associates Inc. stands ready to discuss your ideas and to develop a customized strategy to meet your objectives. Please contact us today for your complimentary consultation.
We were very happy to collaborate and contribute to the wonderful work of so many nonprofits, NGO’s and philanthropists this year, and wish all our clients and our Associates, who conducted exemplary work, warmest holiday wishes and success in the New Year!
With gratitude on behalf of S. Sutton & Associates Inc.,
Susan
Sourdough and Development
For his recent birthday, S. Sutton and Associates Inc. Senior Associate Randy Gorod received a sourdough starter kit from his family. He was excited, but unsure of everything this new adventure would entail. He thinks he’s finally figured it out, but while making his latest loaves he realized that making sourdough is analogous to Development.
We all know that good organizations are living organisms. They grow, change and evolve or they die. The same is for our sourdough starter. It is a living organism that needs to be cared for, fed and nurtured. The starter needs to have flour and water added, stirred and time to grow. It is like the donor who starts out with one gift per year and then starts giving more frequently and eventually makes very healthy gifts on a regular interval. Please join Randy as he explains further.
Managing a Hybrid Team
Employees’ needs are always varied. But right now, as many companies navigate returning to an office in some shape or form, team members are likely contending with vastly different situations. Some have limited or no childcare or are managing their kids’ online school; some have health issues that preclude them from returning to in-person work; and some are eager and excited to get out of the house and head back to their cubicles. How do you manage these various circumstances while treating everyone fairly? What protocols can be put in place to ensure that the employees in the office are in sync with those working from home? How do companies remain flexible given that plans may change at any moment? And how can companies help employees manage their stress levels through this transition? The Harvard Business Review provides meaningful insight that focuses on offering support, creating and setting expectations, prioritizing with flexibility in mind, emphasizing inclusion, striving for equity, watching for signs of burnout, and making it fun.
Reimagining European Philanthropy
We are facing an irreversible humanitarian and economic crisis that will permanently change our world. As societies around the world near a standstill, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the preexisting vulnerabilities and inequalities of our social systems. Although governments have put a sweeping range of policies and programs in place to combat the pandemic’s impact on public health and the economy, the scale of the challenge requires more.
The coronavirus crisis has mobilized an unprecedented response by the philanthropic community. The McKinsey & Company analysis shared by Senior Associate Christopher Clinton Conway identified combined commitments by European philanthropy of more than €1.1 billion by May 2020, most geared toward emergency relief to the healthcare crisis as well as general support for struggling nonprofit partners. Now, with the number of acute cases of COVID-19 going down, focus is shifting to the secondary effects of the crisis on the other programmatic areas of foundations.
Now is when we need the greatest possible support and a concerted effort by all actors in society to ensure we not only survive but emerge stronger and better from this crisis. European foundations have a unique window of opportunity to step up their actions and play an essential role in the rebuilding and recovery efforts of our countries.
Advancement of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Practices in All Aspects of Grant Making and Grantee Relationships
Each month the network of S. Sutton Associates Inc. meets virtually to discuss topics related to the firm, their individual practices, and the ecosystem in which we are all operating as professionals. The work of the J.B and M.K Pritzker Family Foundation around the advancement of equity, diversity and inclusion practices in all aspects of grant making and grantee relationships is yet another creative and relevant example of the creativity and innovations being deployed. We are delighted to announce that Luis Roman, Program Manager for the J.B and M.K Pritzker Family Foundation, will join us during one of our upcoming Let’s Talk sessions to share the background and history of this innovative program and how the recent Black Lives Matter movement has shone a light on the impact of social, political, and economic inequality in both the US and Canada, particularly with respect to the Indigenous community, and how important relationships with grantee partners and corresponding grant making has important and far reaching ramifications.
It’s a fast-moving world and our work supporting philanthropists, nonprofit organizations and NGO’s has never been more interesting nor more relevant. My hat is off to our network of Associates who facilitate such innovation and impact.
The competitive environment for philanthropic dollars increases expectations for performance and forces regular re-examination of the entire fundraising enterprise. Organizations in steady state or embarking on an expansion of fundraising efforts need to examine how well current approaches have been working. How a fundraising program has performed in the past will inform strategies in the future. S. Sutton & Associates Inc. starts by reviewing an organization’s historic results. Our consultants interview stakeholders, development team members and institutional leaders to better understand the strength and weaknesses of an organization’s fundraising program.
With this information, we provide feedback on staffing, organizational structure, resource investment, program initiatives, policies, procedures, products, staff and department structure, and integration to ensure the maximum return on investment and elevated performance of an organization’s fundraising program.
Schedule your complimentary consultation to learn more about how S. Sutton & Associates Inc. can help your organization reach its fullest potential.
North America
– Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are donating $300 million toward enhancing access to voting in the United States. The Center for Tech and Civic Life and The Center for Election & Innovation Research, organizations focused on improving the voting process, said in a statement that the donation will “promote safe and reliable voting in states and localities during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
– Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has donated $100 million to four historically Black medical schools, with each student receiving grants of up to $100,000. Bloomberg said in a Tweet that the aim of the donation is to increase the number of Black doctors in the US by “significantly reducing” the debt burden of approximately 800 medical students.
– Second Harvest Food Bank CEO Harald Herrmann owns a collection of 30 Picasso prints, but he sees a bigger picture. That’s why he’s taking the unprecedented step of auctioning off his personal collection of Picasso prints that he’s carefully collected over the last 15 years.
“We find ourselves in the throes, still in the eye of the storm of an incredible demand for food,” Herrmann said. “It just felt appropriate at this time and in this moment given the amount of food insecurity and hunger that’s not only prevalent here in Orange County but throughout the country.”
– The Boston Celtics will donate $25 million over the next decade toward initiatives focused on addressing racial injustice and social inequities in the Boston area. The donation — which will be run through their Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and be called “Boston Celtics United for Social Change” — will include $20 million in cash and $5 million in media assets.
“We feel both the urgency of the moment and the weight of the centuries of injustices as we undertake this critically important work,” Celtics managing partner Steve Pagliuca said in a statement. “The Boston Celtics have a proud legacy of being on the right side of racial and social justice, and we are more resolved than ever to take that commitment to another level. Our goal is to do everything we can to achieve progress on each of the targeted pillars, and we will work tirelessly to make real change.”
– Penn President Amy Gutmann and Wharton Dean Erika H. James are pleased to announce a $10 million commitment from the foundation established by Wharton MBA alumnus Yuri Milner and his wife Julia, to create the Friends of Israel MBA Fund. This new fellowship will provide full-tuition financial support to Israeli MBA students at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
– For years, billionaire Charles Feeney had one goal in mind — to give away his massive fortune and live the rest of his life “broke.” Now, the 89-year-old has fulfilled his wish. According to Forbes’ Steven Bertoni, Feeney has finished giving more than $8 billion in anonymous donations through his foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies. Over the course of four decades, Forbes says Feeney gave $3.7 billion to education and more than $870 million to human rights and social change campaigns.
– Mastercard has announced a five-year, $500 million commitment to help close the racial wealth and opportunity gap for Black communities. The initiative will support efforts to provide African Americans and the businesses they operate with access to affordable capital, financial tools, and products and services and includes support for existing programs in Atlanta, Birmingham, Dayton, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City, and St. Louis.
“This is a time for action. We have an obligation as a corporate citizen to ensure the digital economy is enabled for all, an obligation to be part of the positive change Black communities so rightly need now,” said Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga. “We are starting in cities across the country with on-the-ground efforts meant to drive out inequities and create the opportunities, connections and resources that will spark economic growth for the long term.”
– Citi and the Citi Foundation announced more than $1 billion in strategic initiatives to help close the racial wealth gap and increase economic mobility in the United States. Citi’s Action for Racial Equity is a comprehensive approach to 1) providing greater access to banking and credit in communities of color, 2) increasing investment in Black-owned businesses, 3) expanding homeownership among Black Americans, and 4) advancing anti-racist practices in the financial services industry.
– Malena Mendez-Dorn, a veteran of the nonprofit world, has been named President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County, a post she will assume in January 2021. Mendez-Dorn will succeed longtime President & CEO Ana Cedeno, who will retire after 27 years of building the organization into one of the strongest Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in the nation. She will work alongside Cedeno to facilitate a smooth transition – and tap into Cedeno’s wealth of institutional knowledge and experience.
– Brown University’s endowment has reached a record high of $4.7 billion. The Ivy League’s school officials said the welcome news is the result of a 12.1% return during the fiscal year that ended June 30. Brown’s endowment contributed $171 million last year to the university’s operating budget that includes financial aid, faculty pay and research. Overall, the endowment has contributed more than $1.6 billion to Brown’s operating budget since 2010.
– Citizens Bank announced that it has awarded 100 grants of $15,000 each totaling $1.5 million to minority-owned small businesses across its service areas as part of its previously announced $10 million investment to help drive social equity and economic advancement in underserved communities across its footprint. Through a short essay, applicants shared insight on how they would use the grant to both strengthen and sustain their business and help their community.
– The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School is getting a $50 million gift to double the number of graduates who intend to pursue careers in serving the public interest. The gift from the Robert and Jane Toll Foundation will fund three-year scholarships for students who are committed to a public interest or government career to participate in the Toll Public Interest Scholars and Fellows Program.
“The goal is for those students to graduate with very little debt so they have the financial flexibility to take more impactful jobs, jobs which usually pay much less than private practice,” said Ted Ruger, Dean of Penn Law. “We’ll be able to double the number of those scholarships from seven to 14. It’s really important for our country right now.”
“Our support of black and minority owned financial institutions enables those institutions in turn to put funds into the hands of people in underserved communities – through loans, development projects and investments,” Square’s CFO, Amrita Ahuja told Business Insider.
– A $250-million gift will support discovery, collaboration, innovation, equity and student well-being across the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine and its affiliated hospital network, advancing its leadership as a global centre of excellence in human health and health care. The transformational gift from the Temerty Foundation, established by James and Louise Temerty, will support advances in machine learning in medicine; biomedical research and collaboration across Toronto’s health-science network; innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurship; equity and accessibility in medical education; and the creation of a new state-of-the-art Faculty of Medicine building for education and research.
– Monmouth Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, has announced the donation of a landmark $50 million gift, given by local Monmouth County philanthropists Anne and Sheldon Vogel. This transformational gift will support the development of a new medical campus in nearby Tinton Falls, extending the trusted, high-quality health care programs and services for which Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch is known. The Vogels’ investment in Monmouth Medical Center, creating the Vogel Medical Campus, marks the largest named health care donation in New Jersey.
– One of America’s largest philanthropic organizations has announced a project to “reimagine” public monuments around the country. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation said it would spend $250m over five years to build monuments, add context to existing ones and relocate others. The project aims to “celebrate and affirm America’s diverse histories.” It comes amid fierce public debate about monuments in the US, sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement. The charity said its pledge was the result of “years of discussion, research and intellectual exploration.”
– A $240 million commitment by the Harold Alfond Foundation to the University of Maine System is the largest gift to a public institution of higher education in New England history. The commitment of money over the next 12 years is part of a $500 million economic boost to the state by the foundation.
“Maine is receiving a transformative, unprecedented investment in its people and its future from the Harold Alfond Foundation,” said Chancellor Dannel Malloy. “And it comes at a time when we need optimism and an affirmation that we work best when we work together.”– Jane Hunt Meade, whose parents J.B. and Johnelle Hunt founded the largest publicly owned trucking company in the United States in Lowell, announced the family will donate $5 million to the library’s expansion project. The largest single donation in the Fayetteville Public Library’s history came at an opportune time, its executive director said.
“I think in Northwest Arkansas, we’ve got it really good, and I’m really glad to be a part of it,” Meade said. “We’re really proud to be a part of this wonderful space.”
– The young nobleman gazing out of the canvas may have been a member of the House of Medici, whose powerful patriarch raised taxes on the wealthy of Renaissance Florence. Now the 540-year-old painting, “Young Man Holding a Roundel,” by Sandro Botticelli, is saving millions in taxes for a 21st Century billionaire. The painting was acquired almost 40 years ago for just over $1 million by Sheldon Solow, the New York real estate tycoon, who plans to sell it for more than US$80 million in January at Sotheby’s. Normally, the windfall would result in at least a US$33 million capital gains tax bill. But because Solow routed the Young Man through his private foundation, he’ll owe a fraction of that amount –– and has already saved millions on his personal income taxes over decades.
– The Rideau Hall Foundation will begin exciting new work this Fall thanks to the incredible generosity of the Barrett Family Foundation. Their gift of $10 million will provide the seed funding for the Barrett Canada Fund. Through this new fund, we will escalate our work in civic and charitable engagement, Canadian innovation, and Indigenous education: supporting projects that will contribute to a more equitable, kinder and smarter Canada.
– The Ford Foundation announced it has doubled its funding support for U.S.-based racial justice and civil rights groups with at least $180 million in new funding from the proceeds of the unprecedented sale of $1 billion in social bonds. The new funding significantly boosts Ford’s ongoing commitment to advancing racial equity at a critical time when America is in an historic and long-needed reckoning over racism and injustice. In order to bolster a decades-long commitment to racial justice efforts across the country, the Ford Foundation will direct new funds to groups creating structural and systemic change through strategic litigation, policy advocacy and grassroots organizing. Currently, only 5 percent of racial equity funding in the U.S. is specifically focused on movement-building and grassroots organizing, indicating an urgent need to increase funding for activists and groups that are advancing sweeping change.
– During the height of lockdown in April, the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD)—a leading professional organization that represents museums across North America—loosened its guidelines on how members could use the proceeds of art sold from their collections. Now, a number of institutions are coming out of the woodwork to take advantage of the relaxed rules—including a high-profile sell-off at the Baltimore Museum of Art that represents the most liberal interpretation of the new policy yet. the Baltimore Museum announced it would sell three works from its collection through Sotheby’s for an estimated $65 million. And while the traditional AAMD guidelines stated that proceeds from art sales could only be reinvested back into art acquisitions, the loosened rules allow for the funds to be used for “direct care of the collection.”
Europe
– British broadcaster David Attenborough led a campaign by conservation groups for the world to invest $500 billion a year to halt the destruction of nature, saying the future of the planet was in “grave jeopardy.” Attenborough, whose new film “A Life on Our Planet” documents the dangers posed by climate change and the extinction of species, made his statement as the United Nations convened a one-day summit aimed at galvanizing action to protect wildlife.
“Our natural world is under greater pressure now than at any time in human history, and the future of the entire planet – on which every single one of us depends – is in grave jeopardy,” Attenborough, 94, said in a news release.
– After five years of sustained pressure that saw students protest and graffiti on ancient buildings, Cambridge University has committed to divesting its endowment from fossil fuels in a more comprehensive way than its peers have done so far. The 800-year-old university said that it will divest direct and indirect holdings in fossil fuels from its 3.5 billion pound ($4.5 billion) fund by 2030 and pledged to make “significant” investments in renewable energy by 2025. It also promised to ensure greenhouse-gas emissions from the activities of all its investments balance out to zero by 2038. The institution last year committed to reaching neutrality on its own energy-related emissions by 2048.
– An English philanthropist has stepped in to help the UK’s beleaguered arts sector with her own £2.5 million ($3.2 million) rescue package aimed at restarting cultural organizations’ education programming. Dame Vivien Duffield made the announcement at London’s Royal Academy. She is making the generous donation through her charitable foundation, the Clore Duffield Foundation, which has provided organizations with some £30 million ($38 million) over the past two decades to establish education and outreach centers called Clore Learning Spaces at their institutions. The cash infusion will support education and community work in the social-distancing era.
– London’s Royal Opera House sold a prized David Hockey portrait to raise cash to get through the COVID-19 pandemic, the worst crisis in its history. Hockney’s Portrait of David Webster brought in 12.8 million GBP ($16.9 million) at the Christie’s London contemporary auction.
“As we face the biggest crisis in our history, the sale of David Hockney’s wonderful portrait of Sir David Webster is a vital part of our strategy for recovery,” said Alex Beard, chief executive of the Royal Opera House, in a statement.
South Asia
– The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will provide $150 million to Gavi, which will be directed to the Serum Institute of India (SII) to fund the additional 10 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses for low and middle-income countries.
The fund transfer will be conducted through the Foundation’s Strategic Investment Fund and will take the total funding provided by this collaboration to $300 million.
The heated topic of income inequality is generating a range of perspectives globally with everyone from Bill Gates to Democratic Presidential candidates to philanthropist Sandy Weill, weighing in as he did recently when his recent gift of $106 million to fund a neuroscience hub at the University of California, Berkeley was announced. “Our government is well-served by intelligent philanthropists that are putting some of the brains that helped them make money in the private sector to really work in conjunction with the public sector to make things better,” he said. “Partnership is the real word.”
A recent episode of “The Daily Show,” the Microsoft billionaire told the host Trevor Noah that his philanthropic organization, the Gates Foundation, could mobilize faster than governments to fight the coronavirus outbreak. Gates said the top seven vaccine candidates would be picked, and then building manufacturing capacity would be built for them. “Even though we’ll end up picking at most two of them, we’re going to fund factories for all seven, just so that we don’t waste time in serially saying, ‘OK, which vaccine works?’ and then building the factory,” he said. The Gates Foundation told Business Insider it was exploring using “catalytic funding” to get the process moving alongside governments and other entities.
The UBS/PwC Billionaires Report 2019 reinforces these statements indicating self-made billionaires globally are using their business experience to drive impact through philanthropy. The report cites:
— Traditional grant-giving is evolving into strategic philanthropy and championing some ambitious causes.
— Philanthropists are also increasingly collaborating to make a difference, with other billionaires, NGOs, charities and governments.
— Billionaires are using their wealth, problem-solving skills, networks and influence, to develop new models of philanthropy which achieve the greatest impact.
We also see this trend to embrace collaboration between philanthropists, NGO’s, charities and governments globally and in North America, as exemplified by two amazing organizations, The Community Foundation of Ocala /Marion County and The Impact Foundry in Sacramento California.
Lorin Deiorio, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of Ocala/Marion County recently described such a collaboration between the foundation, the hospital district, the city and county and Advent Health for a pilot program to address the growing demand for services provided to the residents of the county. Initial stages of the program are designed to evaluate existing duplication and anticipated gaps in services and to build the capacity of the approximate 350 free standing nonprofit organizations serving the residents of the county.
Key to this initiative is a grant services department within the foundation that provides sponsored nonprofit organizations strategic planning, financial and accounting resource counselling, ancillary CEO mentoring and board governance and development resources. This innovative collaboration ultimately seeks to create a continuum of services to meet the increasing needs of the community which can’t be addressed solely through the city and county, the hospital district, the private sector or philanthropy.
An Associate who recently joined the firm, Tiffany Rosso, MNA, described a similar model provided by The Impact Foundry, Northern California’s Nonprofit Resource Center, where she serves as the Director of Capacity Building. The mission of the Impact Foundry is to contribute to an effective and equitable social sector by bringing business, government, philanthropy and nonprofits together for meaningful collaboration and to provide best-practice training and technical assistance. This collaboration is allowing Tiffany to build a sustainability plan for approximately forty nonprofit organizations in Sacramento through immersion in five key areas of support; revenue structure, change management, operational framework, brand and constituent engagement and cultural responsiveness.
Pro Bono Australia reports The Ian Potter Foundation (IPF) and The Myer Foundation (TMF) announced joint funding of a new national centre to be an independent source of water and catchment policy advice, leading to improved management of Australia’s land and water management. Craig Connelly the IPF Foundation CEO, explains the national centre would convene experts, policymakers, industry, and communities to assist government to deliver policy settings to achieve improved and sustainable management of Australia’s freshwater resources.“It is envisaged that the centre will utilise a unique approach that prioritises decision-making processes and uses models of collaborative policy co-design to identify solutions. Philanthropy was perfectly placed to deal with such significant, challenging and socially important issues”.
Another report by Pro Bono Australia profiles an innovative collaboration to tackle the complex social issues of chronic homelessness. The Journey to Social Inclusion (J2SI) social impact investment transaction was developed by Sacred Heart Mission (SHM), the National Australia Bank and the Victorian government in 2017/2018. It is the first transaction in Australia to include guarantees from philanthropy in the delivery of a government pay-for-performance contract.
Each of these examples underscores how important innovation is to address some of our most complex social and environmental challenges. Impact investment in coordination with community, private, government, and philanthropic sectors, can collectively tackle the growing complexity of issues facing the world on a local and global scale.
S. Sutton & Associates Inc.’s global network of consultants provides customized Innovation Teams of subject experts with specific technical expertise, uniquely positioned to help nonprofit organizations, philanthropists, public and private sector entities maximize their partnerships to achieve significant impact. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Impact Assessments:
The Purpose and Value of Impact Assessments for Nonprofit Organizations
Harvard Business Review recently published a brief article detailing new research being conducted on donor behavior during fundraising campaigns. “Idea Watch” reveals that donors were more likely to give if they knew their donation created a “tipping point” towards achieving a specific goal. Put simply, donors are more likely to give when told how their contribution impacts the fundraising campaign, and when they know where they stand relative to other donors. As donors become more interested and outspoken about transparency, impact assessments become a significant tool for nonprofits to communicate achievements to stakeholders, and to show the value of contributions. Impact assessments help measure and evaluate the overall effect that a nonprofit has made in its sector.
Impact assessments include complex metrics but different stakeholders care about different metrics. For example, donors may prefer assessment measurements related to the overhead of a nonprofit’s operations, while board members may prefer data on total donations accrued during fundraising initiatives. Researchers from McKinsey &Company note that even when metrics are collected and communicated, they might not accurately capture the progress made towards a goal, or offer commentary on the overall success of a nonprofit’s mission. Balancing quantitative and qualitative evidence to analyze overall impact can be a challenge that some nonprofits, especially small limited-capacity organizations, are not equipped to take on.
Nonprofits need impact assessments to clearly demonstrate their progress in fulfilling their mission and meeting short- and long- term goals. To accomplish this, McKinsey & Company describes three different categoriesof performance metrics to measure: mobilization of resources; staff or volunteer effectiveness; and, fulfillment of mission statement and goals.
“Philanthropy Impact” indicates that donors can effectively hold nonprofits accountable for: measuring metrics; openly communicating the results; and committing to improvement. To monitor the efficacy of a nonprofit, donors should look beyond anecdotal evidence and focus on evidence from a nonprofit’s publications, monitoring reports, survey and questionnaire results, third-party audits, and impact assessments.
Impact assessment should communicate achievements and shortcomings to improve service offerings, support, and operational practices. In the last decade, donors and non-donors alike have been outraged by ethnical misdeeds, crises, scandals,and other unsavory behavior in nonprofit circles. Skepticism abounds when organizations lack transparency or are unwilling to admit to faults or limitations. These sentiments become stronger if an organization actively avoids or covers up problems. Even the most successful and reputable nonprofits need to acknowledge their shortcomings and commit to improvement. Admitted weaknesses revealed by candid impact assessments bolster consumer confidence when accompanied by a strategic plan for improvement. Resilient and productive nonprofits don’t shy away from self-improvement, which requires critical analysis and reflection, coupled with strategic action.
S. Sutton & Associates Inc. can help you assess your impact. Contact us for more information.
Institute for Integrated Transitions
Campaign Feasibility Study, Facilitation and Training
Formed in 2012 and influenced by the optimism and exigency that surrounded the Arab Spring movements, the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) guides states through the complications and challenges inherent to the negotiation process that occur during transitions from conflict to peace, from upheaval to stability, and from crisis to order.
IFIT’s objective is to help bring about the individual and collective benefits of increased national stability, inclusiveness, and dynamism that arise from the increased cohesion and effectiveness of local and national policymakers and civil society leaders vis-à-vis the intended final beneficiaries (namely, affected populations).
From its headquarters in Barcelona and with a regional presence in Bogotá, IFIT nurtures and facilitates the creation of global and local networks of policymakers, experts, practitioners, and influential civil society members who work together to negotiate peace and reconciliation in conflict zones around the world. IFIT has established itself as the leading international NGO focused on the integration of policymaking in contexts of negotiation and transition in fragile and conflict-affected states. It serves as an independent and impartial platform for generating creative, realistic, and principled ideas with the aim of expanding the range of perceived options available to advance peace, transitional justice, and reconciliation.
The Institute’s global team of experts currently includes 25 fulltime and part-time staff, 25 Board and International Advisory Council members, and an additional 150 expert-practitioners belonging to its purpose-built thematic practice groups and in-country brain trusts.
S. Sutton & Associates Inc. was enlisted in 2019 to conduct a Campaign Feasibility Study with the following deliverables:
Organizational assessment of existing fundraising activities, structure, and opportunities for future development
Back office operations review to evaluate the capacity of IFIT to support fundraising initiatives and recommendations to enhance these efforts
Growth analysis with strategic recommendations that include priority levels, associated timelines, and opportunities for revenue growth in the areas of restricted program and/or operating support, endowment, and keystone projects such as the treaty framework
Donor and stewardship database review to determine opportunities for giving and engagement among current and future supporters, including evaluation of organizational partners in focus countries
New prospect identification assistance to help identify new donors and potential campaign cabinet members
Campaign Goal and Framework that encompassed the above findings and informed strategies and implementation for a large-scale capital campaign
Our subsequent project in 2020 built upon the Campaign Feasibility Study to:
Develop and facilitate a prospect screening survey with select IFIT leadership and volunteers.
Develop a Case for Support.
Conduct prospect research on individual, foundation, and corporate prospects.
Work with IFIT leadership and volunteers to develop gift strategies for top prospects and provide training to engage and activate leadership and volunteers in a robust multi-channel institutional advancement enterprise.
To best address IFIT’s unique needs and fundraising goals, S. Sutton & Associates Inc. assembled a strong Innovation Team of Associates as follows:
Anandita Ghosh, Prospect Research, Data Analytics
As a Junior Associate with more than five years of experience, Anandita Ghosh has expertise in the following areas: Advancement Services, Business Process Improvement, and Information Science.
Anandita has an impressive track record of applying her research skills to the nonprofit sector, helping philanthropies to employ data and analytics to advance development initiatives and hone their strategic policy.
Beth Heiter, Development Program Review & Expansion Strategies
Beth Heiter is an Associate with more than 12 years of experience, specializing in Development Program Review and Expansion Strategies, Pipeline Development, Direct Marketing, and Strategic Program Development. Beth is a seasoned development professional who consistently applies an analytical framework to development strategy enabling nonprofits to achieve strong fundraising results and grow their donor portfolios.
Brittany Gataveckas, Donor and Constituent Engagement
For the past seven years, Brittany has worked with elite clients in Canada’s private, higher education, and nonprofit sectors. As a Junior Associate, she specializes in the design and application of complex projects and is skilled in mixed-methods research, critical analysis, and strategic communications.
Carrie Wallinger, Donor & Constituent Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility
With more than ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Carrie Wallinger is an Associate with S. Sutton & Associates Inc. She specializes in: Donor & Constituent Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Fundraising and Strategic Planning. Carrie is a skilled strategist with an aptitude for storytelling and engaging different audiences.
Christopher Clinton Conway, Fundraising Campaigns & Strategic Planning
As a Senior Associate with more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Christopher Clinton Conway possesses expertise in the following areas: Fundraising Campaigns & Strategic Planning, International Fundraising, Major & Principal Gifts, and Planned & Legacy Gifts. Christopher is a highly sought-after, globally engaged nonprofit leader with extensive experience advising and overseeing multimillion-dollar fundraising campaigns for elite clients.
Debbie Perrone, Corporate and Foundation Relations
As an Executive Associate, Debbie Perrone is a nationally recognized fundraising professional with more than 35 years of experience. She specializes in corporate and foundation relations. Her skills include strategic planning, program management and innovation, proposal preparation, and professional training.
Michelle Mazzoni (Thomas), Project Manager
With more than 17 years of experience in project management, marketing, and business development, Michelle Mazzoni is an Associate with S. Sutton & Associates Inc. As a Certified Associate of Project Management from the reputed Project Management Institute, Michelle is highly capable of overseeing complex projects and producing quality results that advance stakeholder engagement.
Sherryl Fisher, Prospect Research
With more than 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector specializing in Advancement Services, Sherryl Fisher is an Associate who brings a wealth of knowledge to the field of Prospect Research. She also has extensive experience in project management.
This example of the customized Innovation Team S. Sutton & Associates Inc. assembled for each specific project is illustrative of the collective expertise and collaborative efforts enabling organizations to further their fundraising goals. We can help with a customized Innovation Team to fit your unique circumstances. Let’s talk!
The Dos and Don’ts of Nonprofit Data Analysis
Why These Metrics Matter
While nonprofits come in many shapes and sizes, the use of data is common and, in many cases, required across the industry. In order to bolster a nonprofit’s reputation, increase accountability, adhere to public disclosure requirements and maximize their file of donors, philanthropic professionals are increasingly trained in data collection, analytics, and reporting. In fact, having a data-driven fundraising approach often makes the difference between a thriving nonprofit and one that leaves money and opportunity on the table. However, the challenges and questions inherent within the science of analyzing raw data can easily overwhelm philanthropic professionals:
How much data needs to be collected and how frequently?
Are you collecting the right data?
What is the best way to measure and evaluate impact?
What information do donors want to see reported?
What purpose does collected and analyzed data serve?
A number of organizations and consultancies have developed guides, toolkits, software, and informational articles designed to help philanthropic professionals tackle these difficult questions. Some of these approaches, like that of Jacobson ConsultingApplications (JCA) and IBM target specific areas such as fundraising; others, including BizTech and DLN have a more holistic or systematic approach and describe how data analytics can be used to drive many indicators or goals within a nonprofit organization.
In order to use data effectively, nonprofit organizations need to begin by collecting the right information. Metrics related to donor contribution, retention, attrition, moves, engagement, capacity, and frequency are all important to identify and understand broad and minute trends in giving. Moreover, different nonprofit departments or individuals will require different metrics to drive success; the metrics required by marketing to plan an upcoming campaign will not be the same as the metrics required by IT to implement a new fundraising application. Identifying the specific metrics that matter to everyone in your organization might be a challenge, but the sooner you begin collecting, tracking, adjusting, and analyzing data, the sooner you can benefit from these findings to fine- tune your fundraising campaigns, marketing strategy, and operational platform.
There are a vast array of data analytics tools that are designed to help nonprofits solicit donations and launch fundraising campaigns. Wealth screening and predictive modelling tools are vital when it comes to intelligent fundraising and elevating your analysis capabilities above the competition. While nonprofit professionals may be tired of hearing about wealth screening, it has created a more streamlined and intuitive system for approaching prospective or new donors.
A wealth screen tool can provide you with ample information on how to strategically engage a new donor for effective cultivation before you begin the process. Likewise, predictive modeling tools can help drive targeted fundraising campaigns by examining the behaviors of your donor base and using these results to determine other like-minded potential donors. Identifying key traits and behaviors common to your donors lowers the risk of ineffective fundraising campaigns and wasted dollars spent on engaging those unlikely to give. It’s remarkable what data analytic tools can add to your fundraising and development arsenal!
At the same time, the data analytics process can be convoluted, and confusion can abound for a number of reasons. One of the most prevalent “bad practices” among nonprofits is the disorganization of collected data.
Oftentimes, organizations store similar data in multiple places, and many employees or volunteers have access to this information without tactics for coordination. Organizations must be diligent in avoiding the duplication and mishandling of resources by crafting a widely communicated and clearly delineated data management plan that discusses the maintenance of a database of record, how relevant data should be transferred to the database, and an accessibility policy to avoid the problem that comes from having too many unregulated users. Formulating a comprehensive data management strategy can ensure that employees and volunteers have the most up-to-date information when approaching donors, funders, and recipients, leading to more robust fundraising drives, donor engagement, and reputational awareness.
While quantitative metric is the name of the game when it comes to data analytics, qualitative analysis is key to mobilizing data in support of your broader mission, goals, and initiatives. Figures may reveal ebbs and flows over time, but these trends must be critically evaluated not just for internal causes, but within a broader perspective. For example, let’s say marketing analytics is one of the key metrics your nonprofit measures; over the course of a year, you have measured the average donation amounts for three different marketing campaigns. If you analyze the data with an internal lens, you may find that donations are influenced by the type, length, timing, sequence, and message of a specific marketing campaign. These are valuable differentials that can help you plan future campaigns moving forward. At the same time, by extending your analytical lens to appraise conditions outside of your nonprofit organization’s control, such as the economic climate, fundraising drives by competing nonprofits, or the development of a major scandal within the nonprofit sector, you can develop a more nuanced understanding of success and shortcoming.
A number of business intelligence tools and technologies have been designed as efficient, proactive platforms for nonprofits to collect and analyze relevant data to drive decision-making, inform strategic planning, and communicate results to diverse stakeholders. At their core, business intelligence tools help nonprofits answer the question: what purpose does data serve? Without a goal driving the process, the collection and analysis of data lacks focus or intention. Without an overarching objective or plan, amassing data for data’s sake can result in incomplete or unorganized databases, the hoarding of unfiltered information, and missed opportunities for growth and improvement.
Business intelligence tools can provide a foundation so that nonprofits can identify gaps and strengths in performance, inform strategic goals for years to come, and secure buy-in from different stakeholder audiences.
While S. Sutton & Associates Inc. believes in capitalizing on the latest advances in technology, we also understand that nonprofits can benefit from a more individualistic approach to data collection and analysis. Our team at S. Sutton & Associates, Inc. has the know-how to assist your nonprofit not just in the collection, management, and analysis of data, but in the transformation of data into strategic action. Contact us for more information.
— Market Watch reports unequitable allocation of nonprofit dollars in the United States with only 45,000 of the more than 1 million nonprofits focused on women and girls and only 1.6% of charitable dollars allocated to women-focused nonprofits.
— Melinda Gates recently announced a $1 Billion gift to strategically fight barriers facing women while encouraging others to make financial contributions toward alleviating inequality for women and girls in the United States and around the world.
— According to the 10-year CAF World Giving Index, the charitable giving climate in Canada is favorable with Canada’s Social Sector comprising 8.1% of its national GDP and employing 11% of its economically active population. Canadian optimism in its charities is evident in that 4 out of 5 Canadians indicate “a lot” or “some” trust in Canada’s social sector.
— Ranked 7 out of the 10 most generous countries in the CAF World Giving Report, the United Kingdom is one of the most charitable countries across the spectrum with 87% of its population donating or volunteering last year according to the YouGov Analysis on Charity in Britain whitepaper. While the study reports an optimistic outlook on charitable giving over the course of the last decade, the Telegraph UK reports that while the worldwide generosity scale is highest in Europe, there has been a downward trend in donations. Some point to the continued aftermath of the financial crisis in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, and the Netherlands, as well as the United States.
— France has been known to have the most favorable legal and fiscal environment to support philanthropy. There are approximately 2500 foundations contributing 11 billion Euros each year to advance social change. However, Europe today is facing a shrinking space for civil society that can pose a threat to French foundations. To address this issue, more than 800 representatives from French foundations and the public-benefit sectors were invited by Centre Français des Fonds et Fondations to attend a debate entitled, “In the Face of Social Challenges Foundations Acting at the Heart of the Public Interest,” at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The former President of France, François Hollande, was among the speakers at the debate. This event mobilized foundations dedicated to serve the general public interest to shared action.
— Across Europe, there are attempts to create strong cross-party alliances to support philanthropy. Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, and relevant stakeholders from philanthropy met in Brussels in early October to discuss ways of encouraging cross- border generosity. Nicola Beer, the European Parliament’s Vice-President, believes there is much untapped potential for foundations and civil society organizations. Maria Da Graca Carvalho, Member of the European Parliament for Portugal, indicated that foundations play a vital role in society as they concentrate on areas that are neglected by the for-profit and public sectors, and can make significant progress redressing inequality and social and political divisions.
— Mastercard Foundation is making an initial investment of $200 million in Senegal and Ghana to create 60 million jobs by 2030. The “Young Africa Works” initiatives are part of Mastercard Foundation’s overarching commitment to building sustainable communities in Africa with 10 country-focused initiatives throughout the continent of Africa.
The Foundation is working with Ghana’s government to institute the Young AfricaWorks in Ghana initiative, which is aligned with the Republic of Ghana’s 2018 Agenda for Jobs: Creating Prosperity and Equal Opportunity for All that lays the framework to position the country as a global entrepreneurship and technology hub, paving the way for 30 million youth to be employed by 2030. Similarly, the Young Africa Works in Senegal initiative is aligned with the Senegalese Government’s Plan for an Emerging Senegal (PES) to employ 30 million youth with substantial, meaningful work by 2030. The focus will be on small business, improving the agricultural value chain, and improving education and training in the country.
— Jack Ma, founder and former CEO of the Chinese multinational conglomerate, Alibaba, is redirecting his life’s work toward education through the Jack Ma Foundation. Ma will focus his efforts on empowering African youth and to discover young entrepreneurs and business leaders who can uplift Africa in the decades to come. “The goal is to make these African entrepreneurs the ‘heroes,’because entrepreneurs are the ‘most important element to develop a society,’” said Ma.
— A 2019 study published on the state of giving in South Africa found that 8 of 10 South Africans had provided charitable donations in the last 12 months. While South Africans are less likely to volunteer their time, 73% of those studied donated cash. Women and young people compose more than 80% of those providing charitable donations in South Africa. The study suggests that the country will continue to develop its rate of giving and that the majority of giving is focused on providing support for the economically challenged, children, and religious organizations.
— Azim Premji became India’s and one of the world’s most generous billionaires earlier this year by announcing a $21 billion donation to Wipro’s charitable arm, the Azim Premji Foundation. The funds will be allocated toward educational initiatives and he has hinted at giving more through the Giving Pledge. The $21 billion donation reduces Premji’s wealth by 80% to 4.4 billion.
— Premji’s gift came at an auspicious time when India’s mega-rich are being encouraged to be more generous with their wealth. By 2027, India’s cumulative wealth is estimated to reach $25 trillion. According to The Economic Times, compared to American Times,
compared to American billionaires such as the Gates, Rockefellers, and Mellons, India’s billionaires view philanthropy as a means of tax-planning. The Economic Times reports that “wealthy families in India – excepting the likes of Premji, Nandan Nilekani, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw or Nadar – put aside less than 0.2% of their wealth for philanthropy, compared to at least 2% by their US counterparts. It is anticipated that the generosity of Premji, along with his fellow Indian philanthropists committed to contributing their wealth to philanthropy will inspire a trend of giving in India in coming years.
— The 2019 Israeli Philanthropy Conference unveiled a number of findings on Israel’s present-day philanthropic trends as follows. More than half of major foundation gifts in Israel are directed to education and with a significant portion to research universities. Low dollar donors focus on opportunities for collaboration between organizations compared to high dollar donors.
A full study on these findings will be published by the Jewish Funders NetworkIsrael in coming months. Further, according to Jewish Post, urban philanthropy has escalated as Israel focuses on meeting the needs of its cities and inhabitants and away from allocating nation building resources, which has been the focus of Israel since its founding in 1948.
— The United Arab Emirates participated in the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly to contribute, address, and arrive at solutions in advance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of 2030. A highlight of the meetings included the announcement of Aziz Al Ghurair of the UAE’s $10 million donation to ensure the Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals.
— Environmental issues such as plastic waste in the world’s oceans have provoked Forbes to call for a social enterprise to ameliorate the crisis. Emerging economies in East Asia lack recycling and waste management infrastructure, and it is estimated that these countries contribute 45% of the world’s plastic leakage into the ocean. Forbes calls for philanthropic social enterprise to focus on “incubating, measuring, and amplifying the ecosystems of local innovative solutions” and asserts that “philanthropic capital can strengthen the pipeline of future investable solutions by proving concepts and ultimately giving institutional investors the playbook they need to unlock investment at scale” to help solve the ocean’s plastic waste crisis.
— The South China Morning Post reports that mainland-Chinese property firms collectively donated $8.1 billion in charitable donations, which has more than doubled the last two consecutive years of giving. This data suggests a growing trend toward philanthropic giving in China.
— Japan Today, posits why Japan is considerably less charitable than the US, UK, and Korea, suggesting two historical societal factors at play. Following WWII, Japan was able to sustain a predominantly middle class society that lasted for half of a decade, equalizing society and reducing the perceived need for charitable support. In the 1990s the Kakusa Shakai “gap society” between the rich and poor began, but a growing lack of adherence to Buddhist principles and a lack of tax incentives have contributed to comparatively low philanthropy.
— Vox.com reports Venezuela’s heightened political strife, government reallocation of resources, discouragement of charitable dollars and programming from outside of the county and economic disruption have led to donors turning to cryptocurrency to transfer funding in support of civil society using the Bitcoin for Venezuela Initiativeand EatBCH. Further, Venezuelan refugees are also being supported through the Latino philanthropic group: Hipgive.org.
— According to the 2018 World Giving Index, Brazil ranks 122 out of 146 countries in the study however, CAF’s Brazil Giving 2019suggests that philanthropic giving is on the rise with 70% of all Brazilians participating in charitable giving and volunteering in the last year.
— Sandals Foundation located in Jamaica reports $7 million invested in the island’s students and educational institutions for the academic year 2019-2020. The funds are restricted to infrastructure upgrades valued at $5 million and book grants and scholarships valued at $2 million. The foundation will develop an education system that fosters holistic development of the nation’s children including emotional, social, artistic, and creative capacity. The Executive Director, Heidi Clarke, believes that the infrastructure improvements will create conducive learning spaces that enable children to reach their full potential.
— According to Pro Bono Australia’s recent reporting, the Ian Potter Foundation and the Myer Foundation have established a joint funding effort to solve Australia’s freshwater crisis resulting from a growing population. Additionally, Pro Bono Australia is focusedon innovative practices to tackle the complex social issues of chronic homelessness. The study suggests that impact investment and coordination of community, financial, government, and philanthropic sectors can cohesively work together to collectively tackle the growing complexity of social issues facing Australia.
— In New Zealand “Generation Give” is challenging more traditional philanthropic models by instituting a campaign to encourage youth support of other youth. Three recent high school students have banded together under the Wakatipu Community Foundation to establish a model of giving for youth by youth. And, according to the Otago Daily Times, these youth inspired a recent $1 million pledge to the Wakatipu Community Foundation from renowned New Zealand philanthropist, Sir Eion Edgar.
The world has changed, and the new coronavirus economy is reshaping how we work and live. A compelling article in The Washington Post lays out the short- and long-term shifts that affect us all and in some cases, provide opportunity. From inception, S. Sutton & Associates Inc. has provided our clients local perspective and global knowledge enabled by operating remotely.
As a fully remote firm, we can provide access to a global network of subject experts to help nonprofit organizations and philanthropists maximize their philanthropic efforts and achieve significant impact. And, as can be seen from the notices of amazing philanthropic activity in this edition of Philanthropy Wired Abbreviated, those with financial capacity and ability are stepping up. The firm has been part of this call to action as we have seen a surge in activity with the philanthropists that we advise and are honored to be facilitating such generosity.
That said, the challenges ahead for the nonprofit arena are now even more pronounced. A recent article in Canada’s Globe and Mail shocked with the headline Canadian Charities call for $10-billion stabilization fund to weather coronavirus crisis. The news was sobering and the ramifications for all those employed and served by the nonprofit sector can’t be understated.
We can help. S. Sutton & Associates Inc. differentiates itself from other consulting firms through customized Innovation Teams of highly skilled technical experts assembled to meet the client’s unique needs. This highly flexible proprietary model allows us to apply the time and talent of the technical experts assembled, to the specific area of need, for only as much time as required. Our teams thus outperform high-level generalists by providing deep subject expertise, which would otherwise be cost-prohibitive, while also assuring the clients only pay for what they need and are not charged for unwarranted services and expertise beyond the scope of their requirements.
Thanks to our network of subject experts, we stand ready. It’s going to be a long road, but together we’re better.
– Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced his charitable organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, will be donating $40 million to coronavirus-related causes. The former presidential candidate said the charity would be organizing a Coronavirus Global Response Initiative to ensure that low- and middle-income nations have rapid funding to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus in their countries with a focus on helping nations in Africa.
– The Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation announced the publication of a digital handbook that shares lessons and experience from frontline doctors, medical administrators and staff in fighting the coronavirus in China. The report focuses on the experience of the First Affiliated Hospital at the Zhejiang University School of Medicine.
– Billionaires around the world are contributing to efforts to counter the COVID-19 pandemic and the damage it is dealing to the global economy, but Italy’s wealthiest have been focusing on the battle at home. Altogether, Italy’s billionaires have given more than $44 million in donations to hospitals, healthcare facilities and government agencies since the crisis began in February.
– Khalaf Al Habtoor, founding Chairman of Al Habtoor Group (AHG), has announced a generous aid to help fight the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, in UAE. Al Habtoor is donating 50 ambulances to the UAE health authorities, to be used in the country’s fully integrated response against the coronavirus. In addition to the ambulances, the AHG Chairman has also allocated a fully equipped building of more than 100 rooms to Dubai Health Authority (DHA), for the purpose of quarantining coronavirus affected patients. He has also committed to building a specialized laboratory for research on viruses and epidemic control, in collaboration with the DHA and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU).
– In a major philanthropic gesture, Emirati businessman Abdul Rahim Al Zarooni, Chairman of the Board of Al Zarooni Group, announced the donation of Dh10 million to ensure all healthcare centers and clinics have adequate medical supplies during the current sensitive period. Al Zarooni stressed the importance of UAE citizens contributing to the fight against coronavirus, noting that it is their national duty to come together to ensure the country remains a model for security, safety and happiness.
– Lemonade, the insurance company powered by artificial intelligence and behavioral economics, announced the formation of The Lemonade Foundation, a nonprofit organized under IRC section 501(c)(4). Lemonade, Inc., a for-profit Public Benefit Corporation, by unanimous vote of its board and shareholders, has donated shares valued at over $20 million as a founding endowment to The Lemonade Foundation. This is in addition to the company’s embedded Giveback program, in which it donates a portion of its underwriting profits to nonprofits chosen by its customers.
– The New York Community Trust, a community foundation, announced a $75 million fund to support New York City-based social services and cultural nonprofit organizations affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The fund’s donors include a host of billionaires such as media titan Michael Bloomberg, medical equipment company heir Jon Stryker and hedge fund founder Ken Griffin. The fund, administered by the New York City Community Trust, will provide grants and interest-free loans to small and mid-size nonprofits with annual budgets up to $20 million (not including government contracts).
– Wells Fargo will donate $175 million to help communities deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank said Friday. The contributions will focus on housing stability, small business and financial health. Donations will be made through an expedited grant-making process, the bank said. While most have yet to be made, the bank announced that it would give a $1 million grant to Feeding America.
– Businesses, large and small, have had to close their doors in a collective effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. While the economic impact of prolonged closures is predicted to be drastic, it hasn’t stopped some of Baltimore’s most recognizable businesses from lending a hand during the pandemic. Under Armour, BGE, T. Rowe Price, Ravens and Orioles are just some of the Baltimore businesses and organizations that have donated money and resources to help fight the new coronavirus.
– The foundation of Greenwich billionaire Ray Dalio and his spouse Barbara announced Friday it will devote $4 million to support Connecticut hospital workers statewide and address immediate food needs during the coronavirus pandemic, joining a growing list of corporate and private philanthropy efforts.
– Singer Rihanna’s non-profit organization, the Clara Lionel Foundation, has donated $5 million to coronavirus response efforts. The charity will be supporting Direct Relief, Partners In Health, Feeding America, the International Rescue Committee and World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund as they continue to fight the pandemic in the US, the Caribbean and Africa. The funds will help to provide communities with critical protective gear, medical supplies, equipment and access to food.
– To fight the coronavirus pandemic, Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal has pledged a sum of Rs 100 crore. Agarwal said he wants to do his bit in helping the people who are facing uncertainties and especially the daily wage earners after many districts across several states go under a lockdown threatening those at the bottom of the pyramid of the economy.
Without question, one of the most enjoyable aspects of my role is to welcome new Associates to the firm via video conference calls. Informal and wide- ranging, these conversations provide a window into the life, experiences, academic, and professional careers of each person. The sum is nothing less than awe-inspiring, but also indicative of the mosaic of talent required to be an Associate with S. Sutton & Associates Inc.
Our proprietary model is based on a global network of consultants from which customized Innovation Teams of subject experts, with specific technical expertise, are assembled to help nonprofit organizations and philanthropists maximize their philanthropic efforts and achieve significant impact.
On what basis do we assess potential Associates, and how do we curate the customized Innovation Teams assembled for our clients? Contemporary parlance refers to the art and science of the discipline, hard and soft skills, and personality profiles. We look for a composite.
Recently, I had a great conversation with one of our new Associates regarding his background and liberal arts education at New York University. Shortly thereafter, an article appeared in the New York Times entitled, “Engineers Sprint Ahead, but Don’t Underestimate the Poets“.
Of particular interest to me were the three attributes employers consider most important, written communication, problem- solving, and the ability to work in teams. Quantitative and technical skills both made the top ten alongside other “soft” skills, like initiative, verbal communication, and leadership. The article argues these attributes and skills are built through the liberal arts tradition, forming a set of foundational capacities that serve students well in a rapidly changing job market.
I couldn’t agree more and when assessing the right fit for our firm and for our clients, we draw heavily on these characteristics.
That said, the technology required by the contemporary concepts of New Power, Next Generation-Enterprise and Blitzscaling, creating a contemporary “Trifecta” requires the deployment of Associates with hard skills as well. We thread this needle by looking for the “poets” in our Associates with backgrounds in the hard sciences, such as mathematics and physics, computer systems technology, biochemistry, and engineering mechanics.
Evaluating the composite of the life experiences of our Associates, we look to the personal and professional journey and inflection points which have taken them far and wide, to dozens of countries, accruing facility with languages and cultures, as well as those who have taken deep dives into their local communities and the endemic challenges therein, establishing proving grounds for models which can be applied universally.
So, whether our Associates are Certified Fund Raising Executives, hold a Masters in Philanthropy and Development, a PhD in Philanthropic Studies, a Bachelor or Master of Arts in Public Relations, Journalism, Refugees and Forced Migration, Gender and Warfare, Innovative Campuses, or the plethora of other quantitative and technical, or other disciplines in the liberal arts tradition, our clients are assured of a highly curated team of subject experts, with specific technical expertise assembled to meet their unique circumstances.
Our Associates are also assured a meaningful experience as recently voiced by Associate Beth Heiter. “S. Sutton & Associates Inc.’s Innovation Team concept is just fantastic.
I get to become part of a team that allows me to work with other people from around the world who are experts in their specific content areas. That means I get to expand my own understanding and learn from others, specifically people who are not in my professional network, or work with every day in my full-time job. It really makes being part of the S. Sutton team so different from anyone else I’ve worked with.
I’m also discovering my own passion for client projects. I’m currently involved with the Institute for Integrated Transition (IFIT) project. Every time I meet with members of the S. Sutton team, have a call or get an update from Mark Freeman, the leader of IFIT, I get more inspired. Inspired not only to do my specific work for the project, but also to see the project succeed. I always say that fundraising is easy for institutions you believe in, and that is exactly what IFIT has become for me. I’m grateful to be part of this Innovation Team.”
If you are a Client interested in our services and our talent, or if you are a subject expert in the art and science of philanthropy, and interested in becoming an Associate, we encourage you to be in touch so we can begin a meaningful conversation.
Building Institutional Capacity:
The Growing Presence of American Universities
Whether it is by establishing satellite branches, research centers, or specialized offshoot programs, prominent American universities have exponentially increased their foothold in Africa in recent years.
To be sure, the export of education or knowledge to the continent is not a new phenomenon. Africa has experienced missionary activity for centuries, sometimes as a by-product of the colonial or imperial enterprise; other times as its harbinger.
Religious zeal was, however, not the only reason that the Western world exported education to Africans, who, it should be noted, had their own rich history of education and learning. Political and economic drivers gained in prominence, particularly during the latter half of the 20th century.
The Cold War conflict between the United States and Soviet Union prompted American institutions, often under the guise of modernization, to fund scholarship and exchange programs, or to set up their own training centers on the ground.
Yet for all its similar characteristics, it would be wrong to situate the United States’ current interest in African higher education on the same historical continuum. A number of unique circumstances form the backdrop to the latest expansion.
Foreign direct investments in higher education often result in a “brain drain” of talent from less-developed to developed countries, thereby increasing the dependency of the former on the latter. In the case of African countries, limited funding and previous investment strategies had also insufficiently equipped universities (except for a few notable South African ones) with the resources to compete in a global marketplace. Enter the American university,rich in funding and resources, and looking to capitalize on an upcoming surge of innovative energy emerging from outside of Silicon Valley.
A conscious attempt to “educate African students in Africa, for African applications” as Carnegie Mellon University Africa director Vijayakumar Bhagavatula put it, has permeated the latest round of educational experimentation. American universities have embraced their newfound roles as engines of progress: By strengthening local businesses, training a new generation of African leaders, and fostering innovation in capital-intensive research fields.
Much of this change in mindset has been a reaction to current political events and economic realities. The current U.S. administration’s visa restrictions and travel bans effectively forced American universities to relocate their recruitment efforts abroad. Yet for all its nationalist and populist rhetoric, the United States owes its status as the world’s preeminent superpower to the forces of globalization. To fend off suitors for this title – first and foremost China, who long ago realized and capitalized on the economic potential of Africa – the United States requires continued access to the talent pool and resources of an entire continent.
Seen from this perspective, American universities, such as Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, Harvard, and Columbia, are fulfilling a strategic imperative in the service of the state.
The task of strengthening the locals in Africa, but also integrating it into a U.S.- dominated world market, is a steep one. American universities have run into a host of challenges, ranging from local issues equipping classrooms with high-end computers to teach courses on robotics, to legal concerns navigating disparate regulatory framework, and logistical problems keeping up with rising demand.
Regardless of the industry or the size of an organization, growth and expansion can seem like an insurmountable challenge. Whether you are looking to enhance programmatic offerings, or expand your services to new communities, regions, or countries, our global team of experts at S. Sutton & Associates Inc. can help you achieve your philanthropic vision. Contact us for more information.
Comprehensive Communications Strategy:
Building Brand Awareness
S. Sutton & Associates Inc. has recently launched a comprehensive communications strategy utilizing various online platforms and social media sites to build brand awareness in the countries we serve. In the coming months, we will be increasing our communications to our Clients and Associates with up-to-date trends and information. Some of our new communication tools include:
— Philanthropy Wired, our monthly e-newsletter, features insights into key developments and trends in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.
— Thought Leadership, our monthly LinkedIn article, examines leadership styles, models and frameworks within the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.
— Biweekly informational emails featuring the latest trends, research and insights in philanthropy.
For our staff and Associates, we are providing style guides and support for image continuity in both our internal and external communications. This will be key in reinforcing our brand.
Be sure to follow us on social media and share our information with potential Clients.
— Nonprofit Quarterly makes a case for ensuring donors’ values align with institutional values in the wake of the controversy around Jeffrey Epstein’s donations to MIT. While many institutions face increasing pressure to raise more and bigger gifts, the temptation to compromise institutional integrity in the name of a good outcome has proved risky for more than a few organizations.
— Philanthropic giving in America set a record in the year 2018 with approximately US $428 billion in total donations. Matt Kupec outlines how the $58.72 million Americans donated to education in 2018 was used to increase enrollment, retain students and highly qualified faculty, expand learning facilities, reinforce academic programs, and invest in ground-breaking research and development.
— A group of European foundations have come together to create the Clean Air Fund, a US $50 million initiative with the goal of improving global air quality. The initiative was announced at the recent UN Climate Change Summit. The Fund has an ultimate fundraising goal of US $100 million and is supported by charities such as the IKEA Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the FIA Foundation, among others.
— Philanthropic donations have grown in Ireland for the eighth year in a row, according to a recent report prepared on behalf of the Community Foundation of Ireland entitled, “The Irish Not-for-Profit Sector Fundraising Performance Report 2018.” The report also indicates that transparency in the sector continues to decline with more nonprofit organizations filing abridged accounts.
— Inside Philanthropy reports that the Mastercard Foundation has become one of the largest supporters of African Youth through their Young Africa Works strategy, which in 2018 helped 30 million Africans find meaningful work. The foundation recently announced a US $200 million commitment to Young Africa Works in Ghana, with more countries to follow by the end of the year.
applications such as WhatsApp and social media platforms like Facebook to communicate with supporters and donors. The report highlights that 64% of NGOs in Africa are accepting credit card payments through their website; 28% accept mobile money; and 5% accept cryptocurrency. As for chat applications and social media, 44% use WhatsApp to communicate with their donors, and 87% use social media like Instagram stories, Tweet chats, Messenger bots, and YouTube live. A striking statistic is that 33% of NGOs use a Client Relationship Management system to closely monitor their donations as well as manage effective communications with their donors.
— Chantal Sajan challenges the idea that Asia is less philanthropic than the West, pointing to different tax structures, the still-developing nonprofit industry, and the prominence of faith-driven philanthropy as reasons why Asian and Western philanthropy cannot be evaluated using the same yardstick.
— Sumit Agarwal, Economics Professor of the National University of Singapore, indicates that wealth is soaring in the Asian region, but the level of giving remains sluggish.He points to the low or non-existent levels of inheritance tax, allowing individuals to pass wealth to their descendants. China and Indonesia do not have inheritance tax and many Asian countries have abolished the inheritance tax entirely.
— Approximately 25.8 million of the 70.8 million people who have been displaced are refugees, and half of these refugees are under the age of 18. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is supporting these refugees through the Refugee Zakat Fund. UNHCR issued the UNHCR Zakat Program: 2019 Launch Report that recorded receiving US $14.4 million funds globally from the years 2016 to 2018. This fund supported 6,888 displaced families across distressed countries in the Middle East. Houssam Chahine, UNHCR’s Head of Private Sector Partnerships in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, said that this reliable funding program impacts the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
— UNICEF and the Islamic Development Bank have partnered to create The Global Muslim Philanthropy Fund for Children (GMPFC) to facilitate various forms of Muslim philanthropy in support of emergency response and development programs. The lead donor, Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, has committed US $10 million over three years to support refugee education programs in the Middle East and North Africa. The fundraising goal is US $250 million.
— Saahil Kejriwal reports on the rise of individual giving in India. According to current estimates from Sattva, 90% of charitable giving in India is “informal” – giving through religious or community organizations and direct assistance to acquaintances. But the rise of “formal” individual giving can be seen through the expansion of DaanUtsav, a weeklong celebration of giving, which has witnessed participation increase by five to six million people over the last decade. Local nonprofits in India face stiff competition from international organizations, and are challenged by the resources and reach of their larger counterparts.
— YourStory issued a list of the top ten billionaire philanthropists in India. These billionaires are extending a helping hand to the underprivileged in their country. Shiv Nadar, an industrialist and philanthropist, was recognized as the ‘Most Generous Indian Philanthropist,’ due to his donations of approximately US $108,493,000.
— In September, the Rainforest Foundation issued a request for support to cryptocurrency holders to counter the devastating impact of deforestation and forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon. The Rainforest Foundation is currently developing a blockchain transparency pilot with Regan Network and accepts donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin or Bitcoin Cash.
— President of Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) Ana Marie Argilagos is an influential leader who is successfully linking donors with foundations and nonprofits that are contributing towards the growth of Latino communities. She believes that these donations will offer Latino people the tools and resources to build collective power. This power lies in steady progress made in employment, education, and small enterprises. The HIP has initiated the Power Up Fund with a goal to raise US $58 million to build community wealth.
— PRObono Australia identified documentarian Malinda Wink as one of their changemakers. Wink is one of the founding directors of Good Pitch Australia and the Shark Island Institute. Her work with Good Pitch has resulted in AU $14 million raised and 19 social impact documentaries created, covering topics like youth homelessness, healthy eating and sugar consumption, and global warming.
—The philanthropic sector in New Zealand is addressing the shortage of funds for social services. The Government is supporting two- thirds of the cost; however, 83% of social services rely on philanthropic funding, which is recognized as the biggest contributor towards these services. Today, the philanthropic sector is taking a proactive approach by working collaboratively with the Government across all sectors. They are working together on a 2020 Government Budget that will effectively tackle the shortage of funds.
Board Training, Management, and Governance:
Boards Excel in Governance and Leadership
Most people join a nonprofit board of directors because they care about the mission of an organization or, perhaps, because they enjoy volunteering their time to a cause. But serving on a nonprofit board goes beyond volunteering time or making an annual contribution to a charity. Nonprofit organizations need trained board members who will actively govern, leverage their professional skills and connections for the organization, and who will work with the organization’s CEO or Executive Director to set the vision to ensure future success. If you are a CEO, developing your board of directors is key to achieving your organization’s mission. Ongoing board training is essential for engagement and moving the organization forward. The more a board member understands their role, responsibilities and legal obligations within an organization, the more effective and engaged they will be as a director.
S. Sutton & Associates Inc. offers clients in- depth board training covering management and governance, fiduciary duties, roles and responsibilities, legal obligations, and current best practices. We are committed to providing the tools and support your board needs to govern effectively.
S. Sutton & Associates Inc. also provides staff with the training to properly manage meetings, prepare concise reports in a timely fashion and implement processes and procedures to support the success of the board. With our well-crafted training, your staff and board will gain a clear understanding of the team and board’s roles within the organization and how to work collaboratively to achieve your organization’s mission.
Contact us to learn more about how our services can help maximize the effectiveness of your board of directors.
The St. Matthew’s United Church:
Campaign Feasibility Study and Strategic Fundraising and Finance Plan
The United Church of Canada’s long history of working to create unprejudiced economic and social systems for all, has made it a leading agent of change in the lives of society’s most vulnerable people. St. Matthew’s is a community church that partners with a wide range of educational, social, health, creative arts, and recreational community organizations to create a community hub. These partnerships are commercial and provide a significant portion of the operating budget for St. Matthew’s United Church. S. Sutton & Associates Inc. was appointed to determine the feasibility of a fundraising campaign to support the redevelopment of the church and its property and to enable a more robust social enterprise through additional revenue-generating spaces and low-income housing, followed by a Strategic Fundraising and Finance Plan.
The feasibility study demonstrated all the possibilities of raising the critical funds needed for redevelopment. We completed stakeholder interviews, conducted prospect research, identified community members and organizations whose involvement would be crucial, presented escalation scenarios for the church’s donors, demonstrated how to leverage more from corporate donations and social enterprise partnerships, and presented key findings and recommendations on how to raise awareness within the community.
The Strategic Fundraising and Finance Plan provided a step-by-step roadmap to execute on a successful initiative including:
— Job descriptions for both staff and volunteer committee members to recruit the right people to support the fundraising objective.
— Recommendations for systems, tools and processes to fundraise effectively.
— Plan to grow the develop a major and planned-gift pipeline, while also delivering a consistent source of unrestricted revenue.
— A visual guide to the strategic fundraising priorities, tactics, by priority and estimated time to implement.
— Revenue and expense budget summary by program, by year.
— Case for Support.
Proper governance leads to proper strategic planning, which in turn informs operating plans and all critical decisions within the nonprofit arena. In this case, St. Matthew’s had done the groundwork leading to our involvement and are now positioned to ultimately achieve a successful campaign.
If you or your organization are considering a campaign, we can help. Let’s talk!
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