Perspectives on philanthropy

Part two of two

By Mel and Pearl Shaw

Too often there is a gap between how people inside a foundation evaluate and make grants and the people who work within nonprofit organizations. We posed questions to Cedric Brown, director of the Mitchell Kapor Foundation, on your behalf.  

Question: What is an example of a project you funded that exceeded expectations?

Answer: “We work with so many fantastic organizations that I’m hard-pressed to choose one. Overall I’ll say that my grant-making has largely been an investment in dynamic and competent leadership combined with a solid work plan. So in this respect, nothing has surprised me.

“I am pleased, though, that we were an early supporter of Van Jones’ work on green jobs (through Ella Baker Center and Green for All), which he’s taken from Oakland to the New York Times Best Seller list to the White House.” 

Q: What would happen if an organization did not accomplish what it said it would do when applying for a grant? Does that automatically mean they could not get another grant? How is this handled?

A: “While I believe in accountability, I also believe in being flexible and reasonable. Nonprofits (and foundations, too, for that matter) are subjected to changing information and conditions that can re-shape their ability to accomplish their original goals. I think adaptability is an important trait to possess, allowing community organizations to appropriately adjust their work and expectations. But it’s critical for nonprofits to talk with their funders about substantial changes, not to seek ‘permission’ or to ‘spin’ (which is very transparent and annoying), but to say, ‘This is what we’ve encountered and this is our response. What advice do you have to give us?’ This way the nonprofit can appropriately involve the funder in the re-strategizing. 

“In my experience, the majority of nonprofits accomplish much of what they set out to do. It may be a different product in the end, but most do good and worthy work. Of course, there are the occasional ‘wayward’ organizations; I have no qualms about cutting them off and chalking it up to a lesson learned about what not to do."

Q: Are there any other comments or information you would like to share with our readers?

A: “Small, startup nonprofits are going to have a very difficult time securing support in this economy. There’s a feeling in the nonprofit and foundation sectors that too many nonprofits exist. My best advice is that if you’re thinking about starting a nonprofit, first make absolutely sure that nobody else is doing what you’re proposing to do. If there are similar programs, ask how you might work with them to help deepen or expand their reach, rather than starting a new effort altogether.” 

For more information about the Mitchell Kapor Foundation, visit www.mkf.org. 

Mel and Pearl Shaw are the principals of Saad & Shaw – Comprehensive Fund Development Services and the authors of How to Solicit a Gift: Turning Prospects into Donors, available at www.saadandshaw.com or by calling (510) 834-4310. Saad & Shaw provides clients with a unique brand of fundraising that combines marketing with fundraising fundamentals. Clients include hospitals, colleges and nonprofit organizations.