Recognizing Success

“The nature of measurement is reliant on the type of giving structure one has put in place.” The articulation of success is inextricably linked with the philanthropist’s primary motivation to support a specific area of need. Some interventions have seemingly clear cut indicators of success – e.g. five thousand girls enrolled in school in the […]

Step 6: Communicating Change

Deciding on whether one wants to disclose details of their philanthropic endeavors or not is a personal decision. In most cases where a formal foundation has been set up, then charitability laws determine how much and which information must be disclosed to the public. Approaches to telling the stories of philanthropy are very different, some […]

Measuring Tools

Measuring action: Take into account is what one is trying to learn through the measurement lens. Agreeing on what level of output would be reflective of success. A question for philanthropists to reflect on from the outset is, what makes them the most suitable to solve the problem and additionally, are the resources and timeline […]

Step 5: Measuring the Impact of Your Giving

Why measure impact? Measurement enables a philanthropist or philanthropic institution to gauge the effect of their giving in a number of ways: Understanding the link between intent and change What degree of change actually occurred on account of my contribution? Asking the measurement questions provides a level of accountability that can offer satisfactory answers for […]

Step 4: Review Call for Proposal Applications

The next stage in the process is to review the application. Some can be quickly decided upon if the philanthropist has a clear idea about what she will not fund and it is polite to tell the organisation that it has been unsuccessful in its application. In the interests of transparency and improving the quality […]

Step 3: Determine the Conditions of Your Grant

Grants are often approved with conditions. These can be conditions relating to the timing of the funding, the ability of the organisation to raise matched funding or any other conditions precedent that are required before funding is released. The funds can be given either in one lump sum or in tranches against milestones or against […]

Step 2: Determine Whether You Are a Pro-Active or Reactive Donor  

The next step is to determine whether the philanthropist wishes to be a pro-active or reactive donor (Read here: Pro-active vs Reactive Donor). Arguably all donors have some sort of application criteria against which they evaluate and select applications but some donors choose not to write them down, relying on a more flexible approach to […]

Step 1: Do Your Research

A starting point is to become educated. Spending time researching, planning, analysing and mapping is necessary. Evidence-based funding, rather than funding based only on a “gut feel”, a relationship, or a desire, will have a better outcome and be a more strategic investment. Consequently, the philanthropist requires up-to-date knowledge and should perform the necessary due […]