#1: Purpose

In This Issue

• Bringing Guiding Principles to Life
• SDG Guiding Principle #1: Purpose
• Suggestions for Practice
• Related Resources
• Upcoming SDG Programs

Bringing Guiding Principles to Life

As we outlined in previous communications, we will be working throughout this year to bring our newly-adopted set of Guiding Principles to life, so that they are not just words on a page but rather guidelines for action. Our objective is to provide you with a relevant and powerful framework to help you conduct your philanthropy according to the highest standards of effectiveness and accountability--this is especially important in a time when ethics in our sector are perceived to be in decline (click here for a related article).  One means by which we will do this is to focus on each principle in a monthly newsletter. This month, we begin with principle #1: Purpose. Click here (pdf) for the entire set of Guiding Principles.

SDG Guiding Principle #1: Purpose

We have a clearly stated mission, funding priorities, decision-making processes and goals in pursuit of the public benefit.

This is a statement of the most basic principle that paves the way for all others: philanthropic entities must understand the mission-driven business they are in and state clearly to others how they intend to engage in philanthropic endeavors.

Suggestions for Practice

There are different ways to implement each of the Guiding Principles depending on the nature of your grantmaking entity.  For example, what works for a corporate giving program may be different than what works for a small family foundation. By adhering to the spirit of these principles in a way that applies to your specific circumstances, you demonstrate your commitment to maintaining the public trust in organized philanthropy. Here, we share some suggestions gathered from our colleagues for implementing Principle #1: Purpose.

• Develop and periodically review your organization's
  • guiding values and mission statement (click here for mission-related resources)
  • strategies and goals, annual and multi-year objectives
  • program areas, funding priorities, and geographic focus.
• Engage in a strategic planning process every 3, 5 or 10 years to ensure that your mission, funding priorities and grantmaking policies remain relevant and responsive. Include an environmental scan of community needs to help determine if changes are necessary. Click here for strategic planning resources.
• Consider strategies beyond grantmaking to advance your mission, such as:
  • Collaborating with other grantmakers or donors that fund similar work.
  • Providing technical assistance to grantees and other charitable nonprofits.
  • Convening community leaders, nonprofits and/or other funders doing similar work.
  • Promoting personal giving and volunteering by board and staff (bearing in mind potential conflicts of interest).
  • Engaging in public policy and advocacy on priority issues and within the limits of the law.

Thanks to Connecticut Council on Philanthropy, Minnesota Council on Foundations, Northern California Grantmakers, and Washington Grantmakers for these suggestions.

Related Resources

• COF Recommended Principles and Practices for Effective Grantmaking
• COF Stewardship Principles for Family Foundations
• COF Stewardship Principles for Corporate Grantmakers
  
• COF Stewardship Principles for Independent Foundations
• COF National Standards for Community Foundations
• COF Building Strong and Ethical Foundations
• COF Principles of Accountability for International Philanthropy
• Independent Sector: Obedience to the Unenforceable: Ethics and the Nation's Voluntary and Philanthropic Community          
  
• Independent Sector Compendium of Standards, Codes, and Principles of Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations
• Independent Sector Accountability Checklist
• Independent Sector Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice: A Guide for Charities and Foundations
• Foundation Accountability Self-Assessment Tool and related FAQs
  
• DJB Consulting Foundation Accountability Resources
  
• IRS Good Governance Practices for 501(c)(3) Organizations
• Foundation Center Practice Matters: The Improving Philanthropy Project

Upcoming SDG Programs

Click here for a complete listing of SDG Programs.

Teleconference: Philanthropic Response to the Cyclone in Burma
May 12, 2008
12:00noon-1:00pm

Thursdays with SDG: Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Buck and Beyond
May 15, 2008    
12:00 noon- 2:00 pm
Location: Casey Family Programs, 3878 Old Town Ave., San Diego, CA  92110

Statewide Efforts to Coordinate Disaster Philanthropy
May 22, 2008
10:00am-12:00pm
Location: United Way of San Diego County, 4699 Murphy Canyon Road, San Diego, CA

Lunchtime Briefing: LGBT Funders
May 27, 2008
11:30am-1:30pm
Location: San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, 4070 Centre Street, San Diego, CA

Working Group Meetings

Workforce Funders: May 14
Homelessness Working Group: May 12
Child Welfare Funders: May 27
San Diego Neighborhood Funders: June 6
Family Foundation Exchange: June 10

Click here for more information about all of these SDG programs. All programs are free for SDG members except where indicated. To RSVP, please call (619) 744-2180 or email programs@sdgrantmakers.org.

Today, the role of philanthropy is expanding and so are its responsibilities. This online SDGrantmakers newsletter is published by San Diego Grantmakers to help SDG members meet the challenge. Our mission is to connect, educate, develop, and inspire a diverse group of foundations and corporations to stimulate effective philanthropy in the San Diego region. For more information, visit www.SDGrantmakers.org. Copies of past editions are archived here. Contact Nancy Jamison, 619/744.2180 or nancy@SDGrantmakers.org to suggest article ideas or submit news items, or if you no longer wish to receive these mailings.