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Submitting Foundation
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Foundation Name:
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The Spartanburg County Foundation
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Address:
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320 East Main Street
Suite 3
Spartanburg, SC 29302
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Phone:
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864-582-0138
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Fax:
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864-573-5378
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Website URL:
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www.spcf.org
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Founded:
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1943
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Submitted By:
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John B. H. Dargan
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Title:
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President
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Practice Example Details
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Methodology:
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Donor Survey
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Standard:
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A community foundation informs and educates donors about community issues and grantmaking opportunities.
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How does this practice
meet the applicable standard?
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The foundation has developed a program that informs donor advisors about grantmaking opportunities based on their philanthropic interests and provides them an opportunity to expand the foundation’s unrestricted grantmaking program and meet community needs.
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What method is used for
monitoring and measuring outcome?
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The foundation decided to start a Donor Connect program that provides donors an opportunity to benefit the foundation by expanding its unrestricted grantmaking through grants from donor advised funds. The program also provides various educational opportunities, further enabling donors to learn about and make an impact on issues they care about. It first surveyed donors on their interest in participating in the Donor Connect program and what grantmaking areas they had an interest in. After receiving sufficient interest from donor advisors, the Donor Connect program was established. Donor advisors are made aware of community needs and opportunities through:
• Site visits
• Donor briefings/quarterly statements
• Donor newsletter
• Community bus tours
• Lunch and Learn sessions
The foundation held a series of focus groups with donors to highlight current trends in philanthropy in the state, community needs, the areas of need where the foundation was spending its grant monies, and to present the Donor Connect program. The foundation asked the participants to respond to a survey on what they had heard. The foundation created a Donor Connect Newsletter to better inform donors about community needs and giving opportunities. The newsletter highlights grant requests received by the foundation and includes a recommendation form for donor advisors to partner with the foundation in funding the requests.
The foundation also partners with the local United Way to produce a Community Indicators report that focuses on key issues affecting citizens of the greater Spartanburg community. The Community Indicators process brings together “individuals, as well as public, private, and nonprofit organizations” to “identify needs, mobilize community involvement, and advocate informed decision making at all levels.” The Community Indicators report is presented at a series of public meetings and events.
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What were the results?
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Donors and the public are better informed about community needs and how they can be addressed. Donors become more involved in working with the foundation and in improving the lives of those in their community.
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