“Home” Work

Questions for you: How is place-based philanthropy defined? Is a time frame required to implement place-based philanthropy? What is the value of local funding collaboratives in doing place-based philanthropy? What resources and organizations can support place-based philanthropy? How do you evaluate change? How does place-based philanthropy affect systemic change?

Reginald Jones (Steans Family Foundation), Doug Diamond (San Diego Neighborhood Funders), Elizabeth Myrick (Neighborhood Funders Group) and Ann Tartre (Equinox Center), brought these questions and more to the fore in their excellent lunch mini-plenary session on Strategies to Maximize Place-based Philanthropy.

Common themes among the panelists and those in the audience were:

• There are many potential points of entry to place-based philanthropy, including local political leadership, community based organizations and residents.
• At least one of the three above-named groups must have a will to change for change to actually occur.
• It is important to do a risk analysis of the strength of these entry points to determine if change can happen.
• Engaging in place-based philanthropy requires a long-term commitment.
• The reason place-based philanthropy takes time is that often, there is skepticism in a community and building trust must take place first.
• Leverage is critical because place-based philanthropy must overcome many challenges and enormous resources are required.
• Because communication and transparency are important, articulate the proposed goals and strategies clearly.
• Utilize the local neighborhood funding groups and community foundation to increase funding and convening capacity.

Lastly, although there are significant challenges, success is possible. As opposed to gentrification, residents can actually benefit from improvements in a community as opposed to creating something for someone else to enjoy.

Adrienne Vargas is vice president of Donor Relations and Charitable Giving at The San Diego Foundation.