Essence of Strategic Giving (PDF)

In the face of global financial problems and stressed government budgets, the ability of private philanthropy to step in and help solve public problems-and support vital private institutions as well-has perhaps never been more important. But how can donors be sure their contributions will be effective? And how can fundraisers make their case for support in a way that is compelling and productive?With The Essence of Strategic Giving, Peter Frumkin distills the lessons of his comprehensive, award-winning study, Strategic Giving, into a concise, practical guide for everyone involved in private philanthropy, from donors to managers of nonprofits to fund-raisers. He defines five critical challenges that all donors must address if their philanthropy is to amount to more than indiscriminate charity, including being aware of the time frame that guides a gift, specifying the intended impact being pursued, and recognizing how a donation fits with a donor's own identity and style. Acknowledging and understanding these fundamental, strategic aspects of giving, Frumkin argues, will help ensure philanthropy that more effectively achieves its aims-and at the same time builds a lasting relationship between donors and the institutions they support.As the next generation of donors wrestle with the challenge of effectively distributing what Andrew Carnegie called "e;surplus wealth,"e; Frumkin's road map will be an indispensible resource for years to come.