wscpa conference 2015

Foundation Grants: The How and the Why

Beth McCaw | Washington Women’s FoundationJohn Fine | United Way of King CountyTony Mestres | Seattle FoundationMark Wright, KING 5 | Moderator

20th November 2015

Washington Women’s Foundation

Giving. Learning. Leading. Together.

Beth McCaw, President

The Power of Collective Giving

• Founded in 1995 –20 years of giving

• Started with 100 women

• $15 million in grants since 1996

Collective Grant Making Model

• Participatory, hands-on

• Democratic

• Educates about community needs and emerging issues

• Recognizes the importance of unrestricted operating support

• Is multi-year

• Builds individual philanthropic skills

How Are Grants Funded?

Members each contribute $2,000 annually for grant making

• $1,000 Pooled Fund Grants

• $1,000 Individual Grants

$2,500 total contribution

$1,000

$1,000$500

What Do We Fund?

Arts & Culture Education Environment Health Human Services

Criteria for Pooled Fund Grants

Demonstrate at least one:

•Response to urgent and critical need•Bold new venture•New approach to an ongoing problem

Guiding Principles for Funding

• Maximum impact• Potential for collaboration,

leverage

Charity fills an immediate need; philanthropy makes change happen

Our Decision Makers

• 70-80 WWF members

• 6-month, intensive “curriculum”

• Trainings and workshops

• Group process, decision making

• 4,000+ Hours of Philanthropy Experience

Partner Grants

• Focus on strategic areas• International

• Diversity

• Emerging Issues

• Leverages the experience of other community grant makers or thought leaders

More than Collective Grant Making

Washington Women's Foundation educates, inspires and increases the number of women committed to philanthropy in order to strengthen community and

demonstrate the impact that can result from informed, focused grant making.

Looking Forward

Jon Fine, President

Big goals…

TONY MESTRESPresident & CEO

Seattle Foundation ignites powerful,

rewarding philanthropy to make

Greater Seattle a stronger, more

vibrant community for all.

Brand Promise

Create Greater Equality of Opportunity

Together, we work to create equality of opportunity in our community, with strategies for philanthropic investment that creates lasting change.

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COMMUNICATE

CONVENE CATALYZE

CENTER FOR COMMUNITY

PARTNERSHIPS

GIVEBIG

NONPROFIT SECTOR

CAPACITY BUILDING

COMMUNITY PHILANTHROPISTS

GIVETOGETHER

Grantmaking

Tony Mestres, President & CEO1200 fifth avenue, suite 1300 | seattle, wa 98101-3151O 206.622.2294 D 206.515.2101 seattlefoundation.org