Making Big Ideas Work:Philanthropic Partnering for

Positive Impact

Kay Sprinkel GraceBenedictine Health Systems

Leadership ConferenceSeptember 27, 2012

PhilanthropyBased in values

DevelopmentUncovers shared values

Fund Raising

Gives people opportunities to act on their values

Drivers for Giving• Among very high net worth US givers

(sample of 264) the following were the principal drivers for their philanthropy:

• 70% = personal values• 36% = faith• 35% = sense of obligation or duty• 32% = family legacy• 31% = to add value to society

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Philanthropy: Robert Payton

• All voluntary action for the public good

• Giving, asking, joining, serving

• Based in values

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From Transaction to Transformation

The most important philanthropic journey

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Transactional Bell Curve: The Way We Have Approached Donors

High Impact PhilanthropyKay Sprinkel Grace, Alan Wendroff

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Transformational Infinity Loop:The New Approach

High Impact PhilanthropyKay Sprinkel Grace, Alan Wendroff

Powering the Journey

• 1. Having (or finding in the community) a big idea – a dream – that will inspire new donor investors and new volunteers

• 2. Creating, through your leadership, the productive partnerships that will support the fulfillment of the dream

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Bullish on Philanthropy!

What Is a BIG IDEA?

Exploring your originsA look at others

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The Five “I” Analysis of Giving• A series of interviews with donors ranging in age

from 28 to 74 who had just made their first 7-figure gift, revealed what they were looking for in their giving and in stewardship:• Issues• Impact • Investment• Involvement • Innovation/Ideas

• High Impact Philanthropy, Grace and Wendroff, 2001

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From Vicki Spruill, Council on Foundations

• “A lot of conversation (at the White House Conference) was about catalyzing innovation at this critical moment in time when needs so outweigh what any of us individually can solve. How can philanthropy work with government and other partners to take risks, to identify solutions, to catalyze change, to pilot innovative ideas?”

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Psychic Poverty• A feeling of scarcity, rather than

abundance.• Afflicts donors at all levels• Afflicts organizations and is reflected in

their messages• People (and organizations) are honestly

worried about the future, but they need to see the safety and importance of their investment in your work

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Melinda Gates

• I am an “impatient optimist.”

• As all of us should be!

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So, How Impatient Are Philanthropists?

• Those attending the Forbes philanthropy conference revealed what they expect in investment pay off:

• 44% said they looked for results in less than 10 years

• 33% said 10 – 19 years• 15% said “beyond a lifetime”• 9% said 20 years

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Partnering for Impact

• Very high net worth individuals think we should partner to increase our impact. They do. Here’s how they partner:

• 1. 40% partner with businesses• 2. 28% partner with other nonprofits• 3. 22% partner with government agencies• 4. 7% partner with other private funders

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Why is Money Not Moving Out into Our Communities?

The 21st Century Paradox

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For Want of an Idea….

A story of (temporarily) lost opportunity

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Partnering for Philanthropic Impact

• “All who think cannot but see there is a sanction like that of religion which binds us in partnership in the serious work of the world.” Benjamin Franklin

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Aligning to Our Common Vision

The critical role of vision in dreams and partnerships

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The Power Equation

• Big idea (dream) + Partnerships = Community Investments

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Transformation of Leadership

• “In the past a leader was a boss. Today’s leaders must be partners with their people..they no longer can lead solely based on positional power.” Ken Blanchard

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Primary Function of Philanthropy

The development of long term partnerships to achieve community

vision

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Seven Ways to Engage Your Boards

• 1. Grow their leadership• 2. Engage them in a common vision• 3. Encourage them to become impatient• 4. Be respectful stewards• 5. Tell them how important it is to listen• 6. Encourage them to risk• 7. Give them time to dream

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Closing Thought

• “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Eleanor Roosevelt

• And I would add to that: “…and to those who form partnerships to ensure the fulfillment of those dreams.”

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Making Big Ideas Work:Philanthropic Partnering for

Positive Impact

Kay Sprinkel Gracewww.kaygrace.org

kaysprinkelgrace@aol.com