Flint, Mich.-based Arab American philanthropists Mona and Saed Sahouri opened a donor-advised fund with CAAP in 2011. We recently asked them some questions about philanthropy such as what drives their giving, and how CAAP has helped impact their giving since establishing their fund. CAAP: Can you give us an example of the kind of work/causes…
More than any other innovation, the digital revolution has had the most influence on helping donors choose the causes they want to support. On the one hand, charities have more free and low-cost digital media options to market themselves and spread the word about the great work they are doing beyond their immediate network. On…
Part of a Philanthropy A-Z series Often thought of as charitable giving bank accounts, donor-advised funds allow philanthropists to channel resources through their local community foundation, financial institution, or identity-based giving program like CAAP to causes that matter most to them. A donor-advised fund requires care and cultivation to flourish – just like any garden…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCcFFDoYPk0 Psychology of personal philanthropy The more that you understand about your donor’s motivations, the more effective you will become at inspiring their generosity. A great example comes from the above video, which cites this study by Paul Slovic. He researches decision-making at the University of Oregon. Slovic’s research finds that it is difficult for…
If you’ve been paying attention to the news over the past couple years, chances are you’ve noticed that 2011/2012 have been momentous years for institution-building in the Middle East. But what role does philanthropy play amidst the tumult of the Arab Spring? Both Alliance and Effect philanthropy magazines, among others, have recently attempted to answer…
When you volunteer abroad, you have the opportunity to experience a new place, and to create a positive impact for people and the planet. As people who regularly travel while offering their time for local causes, “voluntourists” understand the reward that comes from sharing their talent and resources for the benefit of others. Habitat for…
Part of our CAAPtivating Reads series by Katherine Hanway, CAAP Donor Services and Program Officer Philanthropy positively impacts individuals, communities, even the world. In their book Social Entrepreneurship: What Everyone Needs to Know, David Bornstein and Susan Davis argue that philanthropy is successful because “compared to policy makers and business investors, philanthropists [individuals and foundations]…
Thanks largely to the attention of large philanthropic organizations (W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors), identity-based funds are becoming better recognized worldwide as an efficacious form of strategic giving. The latest issue of Philanthropy UK Magazine acknowledges the fact that mainstream philanthropy in Great Britain is not representative of the populations it serves. While…
What an exciting year it’s been for members of our Teen Grantmaking Initiative (TGI)! Since September 2011 the youth philanthropy group has learned about all aspects of the grantmaking process, including conducting a community needs assessment and writing a Request for Proposals, reviewing grant requests, and conducting site visits. The youth announced their grants at…
The philanthropic legacy of the Olympics is both obvious (such as the Special Olympics that provide sports training for people with intellectual disabilities) and not immediately apparent. Fundamentally, the Olympics serve to inspire people around the world to play competitive sports and strive for excellence in our lives – as well as inspire loyalty to…