What's Your Giving Strategy?

Spring fundraising event season is here. Your mailbox, like mine, is probably filling with invitations and save-the-dates to breakfasts, luncheons and auctions each with a minimum expected gift in the $150 range. How should you decide which events to attend and which to decline?

Well, first, let me tell you what not to do: Don’t say yes to everything.

A few years ago I wanted to learn more about the landscape of nonprofits in Seattle. So, I decided to say yes to (nearly) every nonprofit event to which I was invited. I drank coffee with board members and executive directors, I attended nine fundraising events in three months, and even went on a tour of water projects in Ethiopia. Yes, in Africa.

When my exploration ended, I had great memories, a deeper knowledge of many Seattle organizations, a lighter checkbook, and a strong desire to limit the number of events I attended in the future.

Other SVP partners, who give more than I do and are probably invited to many more events, suggested that I develop a giving framework or mission statement and only give to nonprofits that fit within that framework.

In her book, Giving 2.0, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen proposes a similar approach. Laura has a lot of experience in this area. She is the founder of SV2 and the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society. Her parents gave very generously and thoughtfully through the Arrillaga Foundation, and, she is the wife of entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Marc Andreessen.

Laura describes her journey from random to more strategic giving. She began by looking back on past gifts and asking, which gifts made her most proud. For her, it was gifts that educated givers and advanced the field of philanthropy. So, she decided to concentrate her giving in this area.

Laura recommends that all donors reflect on gifts they have given and make sure the gifts are given from a sense of enthusiasm, not a sense of obligation. She also suggests that donors consider focusing on one organization or program that inspires them. Finally, she recommends keeping track of how your donation was spent.

Like the SVP partners I spoke with, Laura believes that having an area of focus and a giving strategy makes it easier to say no.

As the next year rolled around and all those organizations started asking me to their next event, I decided I needed a giving strategy. Upon reflection, I determined that the work I value most is in early childhood education and building an effective social sector. I try to limit my event attendance, volunteer time and donations to those causes. Having this approach has made it easier to say no to events in other issue areas.

At the same time, I’m realistic. I realize that we will give to my daughter’s school, because, in addition to doing great work in early childhood education, it’s just part of the deal. And, I acknowledge that some friends, speakers or opportunities are too fun to pass up. Conversely, some events are too dreary, boring or poorly produced to be worth the cost of hiring a babysitter. So I adjust my RSVPs accordingly.

For me, the result has been fewer luncheon salads and more enthusiasm about the events I do attend. What about you? How do you decide which events to attend and which nonprofits to support?

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Sherri Wolson