forimpact.org » endowment

Sustainability

Tom Suddes — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 15:22:38 +0000

I see and hear and review a lot of organizations’ plans for “funding”, for a “campaign” and for “fundraising”. It seems like they’re always FOCUSED on a big word, for them: SUSTAINABILITY. For some reason, I hate that word.

“SUSTAINABILITY” is a function of IMPACT! (Not INCOME.)

It seems like every “nonprofit” in the world is looking for “ENDOWMENTS” for “SUSTAINABILITY”.

Rather, if you FOCUS on your IMPACT… and your DELIVER on your IMPACT… there will always be INVESTORS who will help you FUND YOUR VISION.

In-Nano-Vation

Tom Suddes — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 13:19:29 +0000

Here’s an example of INNOVATION
at its finest.

I just got my iPod
NANO from Colorado College. Phil Swan, Colorado College
graduate and Chairman of the PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE, sent the
NANO to 120 FOUNDING MEMBERS of the PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE.
Pretty cool.

My NANO was
inscribed with President’s Circle and Colorado College
on the back and came with a terrific letter from Phil acknowledging
membership, talking about the tremendous IMPACT of the PRESIDENT’S
CIRCLE and (most importantly) asked each of us to go get one
more member!

INNOVATION. RECOGNITION.
NEW MEMBERS.

Dick Celeste, President …
Steve Elder, Vice President Advancement and Campaign Team Leader …
and Diane Benninghoff, ubër-alum and Executive Director of
the President’s Circle … have combined with the staff and the board
to take a huge LEAP a little more than a year ago when they created
the PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE. Since then, they have gone from
9 investors giving $10,000 (unrestricted) annually … to over120!
That’s the equivalent of $24 Million (at a 5% return) in the
ENDOWMENT!

I love my NANO.
I love this creative, innovative idea from Steve, Phil and Diane.
More than anything else, I just love the fact that they’re “TRYIN’
STUFF”.

P.S. I just learned
from Diane that Colorado College was recognized by CASE (Council for
Advancement and Support of Education) with its GOLD AWARD (for the
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE).

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Good Work Attracts Good Money

Tom Suddes — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 15:19:12 +0000

Just finally got around to skimming my December 8, 2005 issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy. (What a great job they do of covering our “world” as opposed to that rag NPT.)

Steve Mayer heads the Effective Communities Project in Minneapolis. Never met him, but LOVED HIS MESSAGE!!!

Main thrust was towards “COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS”.

You’d think they would be interested in the “COMMUNITY“. Instead, Mayer comments, “They have a different purpose: To Build & Manage Big Endowments.”

I feel the same way about a lot of the larger nonprofit organizations, universities, etc. It’s an ENDOWMENT WAR. You’ve heard my shtick on that.

If you get a chance to read this message from Mayer, it’s worth looking at.

Of course, his title “GOOD WORK ATTRACTS GOOD MONEY” is pretty consistent with our For Impact Epiphany:

IMPACT DRIVES INCOME.

P.S. Get some really good thoughts around “innovative thinking” for Community Foundations. Check it out.