Give Smart 30 Day Donor Challenge

Day 30: Ask yourself: What practices will I take away from the #30DayDonorChallenge? #GiveSmart

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:00:30 GMT

Throughout this journey, we have tried to offer simple, practical ways to keep great philanthropy top of mind. We thank our friends and partners for contributing to this effort, as well as for sharing the challenge with others in their networks.

Day 29: Ask yourself: How can I improve my philanthropy over time? #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:00:40 GMT

Find ways to gather candid feedback about how you can better contribute to your grantees’ success and deploy your other assets (relationships, expertise) to further impact.

Day 28: Get specific: Articulate exactly what you want your philanthropy to accomplish. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:00:07 GMT

When asked “what are you trying to accomplish?” do you respond with broad, hopeful statements (like “ending poverty”)? If so, you’ll need to get more specific because at that level, your goals are still too undefined (and therefore unattainable).

Day 27: Share with another donor or grantee a philanthropy mistake you’ve made. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:42:36 GMT

Help others by sharing your mistakes (and what you’ve learned from them).

Day 26: Put yourself in a grantee's shoes: Simulate the experience of working with you. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:10:18 GMT

By walking a mile in your grantees’ shoes, you’ll get an up-close look at your foundation’s strengths and opportunities for improvement.

Day 25: Read a book that will inform your giving. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:01:15 GMT

A number of excellent books on philanthropy are available and will help you get smart behind the scenes. Get started by checking out Bridgespan co-founder and Give Smart co-author Tom Tierney’s philanthropy reading list at Philanthropy Roundtable: Five Books That Should Be in Every Donor’s Library.

Day 24: Call an expert in your philanthropic area of interest. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:00:02 GMT

When you know enough to have a short list of good questions about your area of interest, why not pick up the phone and call an expert?

Day 23: Tell someone unexpected about your favorite gift/grant. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:00:58 GMT

One way to extend the impact of your financial contributions? Jason Franklin of Bolder Giving writes about sharing giving stories with others.

Day 22: Invite another funder to join you in supporting a strong nonprofit. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:40:46 GMT

If you have a particularly strong grantee, why not invite others to join you to boost its impact?

Day 21: Ask another donor what his or her best recent funding decision was. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:00:52 GMT

Chances are that some of your peers share your philanthropic interests, and may have already done research or developed a point of view that might be helpful to you.

Day 20: Help a grantee build a sustainable funding strategy. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:00:06 GMT

Many nonprofit leaders have a clear vision for how to grow their organization but are not as clear on securing the money to fund expansion. Donors can learn how to help.

Day 19: Think about how you can use your balance sheet to create impact. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:00:39 GMT

Donors have the opportunity to think about new ways that they can use their sizeable endowments to drive social and financial return.

Day 18: Make a connection: Schedule a call with a grantee board member. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:50 GMT

Connect with a board member to pressure test your own impressions of a nonprofit organization, and learn more about how you can help.

Day 17: Invest in nonprofit overhead. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:00:32 GMT

Investments in overhead—such as installing new technology or hiring a talented senior team—are essential for nonprofit success.

Day 16: Promote the work of your best grantees on Twitter or Facebook. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:00:01 GMT

In this giving season, many nonprofits are trying to gain visibility with donors. The next time you sign in to Twitter or Facebook, use it as an opportunity to promote the work of your grantees.

Day 15: Ask a grantee to name one thing you did last year that was frustrating. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:00:53 GMT

Given obvious power dynamics between grantees and donors, few grantees tend to voice their frustrations. However, it is only through constructive dialogue that grantees and donors can achieve the joint impact that they seek.

Day 14: Ask a grantee—What can I do in the coming year to help? #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:00:49 GMT

Collaborating effectively with your grantees is a critical step on your journey from aspirations to real results. Ask what you can do to make that happen.

Day 13: Give money to another funder who is doing good work. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:00:56 GMT

Sometimes piggybacking off of another funder’s hard work makes a lot of sense. Consider working with a foundation, venture philanthropy firm, or donor advised fund in your area of interest.

Day 12: Right-size the questions you ask potential grantees. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:00:36 GMT

The process of researching a nonprofit (or "due diligence") is often either too burdensome or not rigorous enough.

Day 11: The next time you’re asked to make a donation, ask three tough questions. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:00:40 GMT

The next time you are asked for a charitable solicitation, ask three tough questions that you think will help both you—and the potential grantee—determine if a funding relationship is a good fit.

Day 9: Thanksgiving Day—Share a story about your values. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:00:59 GMT

As you prep the turkey, think about a story of gratitude to share during the Thanksgiving meal.

Day 8: Ask your spouse or kids for advice on where to give. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:00:46 GMT

Family philanthropy can be an exciting opportunity to bring loved ones together, but remember that everyone might not have the same philanthropic interests.

Day 7: Reflect on the donations you've made that have been most meaningful and why. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:00:29 GMT

All philanthropy is personal. Reflecting on which gifts you've made that have meant the most to you might be one way to help pinpoint what we call the “anchors” for your philanthropy.

Day 6: Thank someone who has been influential in your philanthropy. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:00:45 GMT

Thank a peer, mentor, friend, or close family member for helping you to become a more effective philanthropist.

Day 5: Ask a grantee for feedback. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:00:53 GMT

Donors may often talk about “partnering” with grantees, but “partnership” isn’t usually the first word that comes to a nonprofit leader’s mind. So it’s important to know whether your relationships with grantees are partnerships—or train wrecks?

Day 10: Plan a visit to the beneficiaries your philanthropy supports. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:20:01 GMT

Instead of "Black Friday," think "Giving Friday; start a new holiday tradition this season by planning a visit to the beneficiaries your philanthropy supports.

Day 4: Donate your time, in addition to your money, by volunteering at a grantee. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:16:16 GMT

Giving can take many forms. To support a grantee, you can lend your own expertise to the organization, simply show up and volunteer for a day or two, or find another way to support your cause.

Day 3: Recommend a great grantee to another funder. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:01:31 GMT

The number-one reason people give is because they were asked. If one of your grantees is getting terrific results, help spread the word to someone who might be making their first donation this season.

Day 2: Tweet (or email) “thank you” to a grantee. #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:14:49 GMT

As a show of your appreciation this holiday season, tweet a public thank-you note to one of your grantees. (And yes, if you don’t use Twitter, you can write an email instead).

Day 1: Double a grant to an exceptional grantee (without being asked). #30DayDonorChallenge #GiveSmart

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:21:10 GMT

Donors often wonder whether their grantees can do more with less. How about giving your best-performing grantees a chance to do more with more?