Philanthropy: A team sport

At first glance, you may think of charitable giving as mostly an individual act. Certainly, most of the time, the actual money or asset that constitutes the charitable donation comes from a single person, couple, or entity. However, the staff at Akron Community Foundation likes to think of charitable giving as a collaborative endeavor. 

Here are several examples:

Serving on the board of directors of a charitable organization is a rewarding activity for many people. Many volunteers also complement their board service with financial support. Dialogue among board members, leveraging board members' talents, and collective board oversight are important components of a well-run nonprofit organization. Charities are counting on board members' objective voices in the boardroom, board members' constructive questions, and the board's dedication to ensuring that public trust in the charity is maintained. 

The Institute for Emerging Philanthropists is a great way for philanthropists to use their collective giving power to improve their community. Institute for Emerging Philanthropists participants take part in a structured seven-session program to help them identify their personal philanthropic goals and develop plans for a lifelong commitment to improving our community. At the end of the program, students apply their newly developed philanthropic skills by working together to recommend grants through the Institute for Emerging Philanthropists Fund of Akron Community Foundation. Grants awarded through the Institute for Emerging Philanthropists Fund are announced during the institute's culminating graduation ceremony. Upon completion of the program, graduates of the Institute for Emerging Philanthropists are invited to join the Emerging Philanthropists Alumni Network for continued education and networking opportunities. In addition to ongoing philanthropic activities, this group also serves as the advisory committee of the Institute for Emerging Philanthropists Alumni Endowment Fund. If you or someone you know would be a good fit, consider applying today. Applications are due April 30 for the upcoming cohort. For questions, contact Karen Hrdlicka, director of The Center for Family Philanthropy, at 330-436-5640 or khrdlicka@akroncf.org.

For many people, involving other family members in charitable giving is one of the most rewarding ways to instill philanthropic values and transfer these values across generations. Whether you're teaching young children about the importance of helping people in need, or joining with siblings to develop a grantmaking strategy for a family donor-advised fund at the community foundation, you're experiencing the joy of working together to make a difference in the lives of others. Our Center for Family Philanthropy staff can recommend many resources to help you and your family build a legacy of giving. From professionally facilitated family meetings to personalized grantmaking assistance, our staff offers a wide variety of philanthropic services.

Even working with Akron Community Foundation is a collaborative activity! When you organize your giving through a donor-advised or other type of fund, you are working with multiple professionals on our team to help you plan your annual gifts, evaluate impact, structure tax-savvy contributions of appreciated stock, and so much more. Plus, the community foundation team often works alongside your attorney, accountant, and financial advisor to ensure that both your financial and community goals are top of mind.

To learn more, contact Laura Lederer at 330-436-5611 or llederer@akroncf.org. We're always available to answer your questions about philanthropy or to schedule a personal consultation with you and your professional advisors – all at no cost.

This article is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice.

Additional Resources

About the Institute for Emerging Philanthropists
Philanthropy is not one-size-fits-all
In the business of giving