Strategic Philanthropy Overview

1. Collaborative Philanthropy

What it is: Sharing solutions, reducing redundancy, and building knowledge. Excellent model for givers who:

• want to assume a "big picture" approach in solving community needs;
• are willing to give up some control over specifics in exchange for greater influence for the group as a whole;
• want to be part of a network of like-minded, hands-on givers who feel similarly committed and are passionate about the same issues.

2. Responsive Philanthropy

What it is: Supporting needs and priorities and actively solicit proposals in areas of interest. Appeals to givers who want to:

• develop deep philanthropic expertise in a few focused areas;
• resource specific programs, as opposed to supporting organizational overhead;
• place some conditions on the acceptance of grants, such as requirements for matching funds or reporting back results;
• maintain arms-length relationships with grantees rather than engage in active management or hands-on assistance.

3. Venture Philanthropy 

What it is: Building capacity for growth, scale, and sustainability. Appeals to givers who:

• prefer long-term partnerships with a handful or organizations doing good work;
• desire heavy involvement in the day-to-day affairs of the organizations they join;
• want to apply their business/management practices to their philanthropy;
• want to provide resources to small scale projects that can grow into larger initiatives.

4. Results-Based Philanthropy  

What it is: Solving social problems by addressing root causes. Appeals to givers who:

• have a particular social problem in mind that they want to address/solve;
• want to have a significant role in "setting the agenda" for change;
• are willing and able to devote significant resources to philanthropy;
• are not afraid of controversy.

5. Checkbook Philanthropy

 What it is: Providing immediate and crucial support to the social enterprise sector. Appeals to givers who:

• want to donate to organizations or causes that have been important in their lives;
• fund causes and participate in events as part of a social network of contributors;
• seek to spread their money around to many organizations;
• want to provide general financial support to organizations rather than targeting their dollars to specific programs.