GRANTS: MORE THAN MONEY

As one of the most charitable states in the nation, California has more than 13,694 foundations with $358.5 Billion in assets, of which $21.2 Billion was distributed for charitable giving in 2018. These organizations that have the capacity to make grants are invaluable to nonprofit organizations that work directly with underserved communities. Often, each foundation has its own geographic focus and social issues that take precedence. This can be deeply personal, especially among family foundations that work on a more local level.

MORE THAN JUST ABOUT THE MONEY:

Grants are more than just money used for the operation of nonprofits. This belief runs deep with both the philanthropic community as well as nonprofit organizations. Where foundations’ abilities are able to view community impact on a more macro level, this advantage allows them to consolidate data and share findings with local community organizations. Their work in fostering connections between organizations and facilitating potential partnerships results in sharing of resources that ultimately generate a more significant community impact. Similarly, nonprofit organizations that have daily interactions with community members facing systemic barriers have a much deeper understanding and insight into community needs and the nuances of navigating systemic challenges.

The grant process, which includes grant applications, meetings with foundations, and reporting, is a great place where these conversations take place to learn and be inspired. Often, it is during these conversations that some of the most innovative programs and partnerships form.

BECOMING A PART OF THE GRANTMAKING COMMUNITY:

One of the most accessible means to be involved in philanthropy in your local community is conversations with wealth management services, like Thrivent Choice, which can provide a pathway for families to create a more targeted and impactful giving structure. With the help of other professionals, families can establish a foundation with a mission statement of their choice and allocate dedicated assets to support causes that improve community development, education systems, health care, homelessness, and more.

Other organizations like community foundations, Orange County Grantmakers, and SoCal Grantmakers provide these functions to family and private foundations; however, their scope of services is broader, reaching the public, independent, community, and corporate foundations and giving programs. Their work provides training on newly identified community needs, board training, leadership development, strategic alignment, grant-making, and impact measures. In addition to formal support, organizations like OC Grantmakers have proactively facilitated regular volunteer opportunities for foundations and network events to engage the foundations in new nonprofits and grant strategies – all of which are invaluable to the larger community.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS NEW IN THE PHILANTHROPY COMMUNITY:

In recent years, one of the most frequently conversed topics in the philanthropy community is how to use grants to grow communities that have been historically underserved and utilize grants to create more equitable grantmaking processes and equitable community outcomes.

One of which is establishing a trust-based philanthropy model in grantmaking. By establishing mutual trust with organizations, nonprofit partners are able to allocate funding to where they need most to grow the organization and better serve the community rather than be restricted to program services.

In the last few years, foundations have leveraged their grantmaking priorities by shifting grant allocations to focus on more grassroots organizations or organizations with an element of advocacy work. Changing systems and policymaking is often a long journey; however, foundations like Weingard Foundation and the California Wellness Foundation are two of the California foundations that are at the forefront of this mission. Their commitment to combat systemic challenges among historically underserved communities is crucial for the mission of overall community health improvement and for the nonprofit communities at large.

FACTS IN PHILANTHROPY IN ORANGE COUNTY:

In Orange County, there are 1,194 foundations with assets of $16.8 Billion assets. In 2018, Orange County-based foundations gave $825.1M to charitable organizations throughout the U.S. One of the largest giving priorities of Orange County-based foundations is education, which incorporates 1,993 grants and $1,185,327,908 in grant dollars.

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Family Foundation Highlights

Hervey Family Fund

The foundation supports the founding program at Lutheran Social Services of Southern California – Project Hand. Since 1944, Project Hand has provided community-based food pantry assistance in the Chula Vista community, serving an annual average of 4,300 of some of the most food-insecure individuals in the community. grants@sdfoundation.org

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George Hoag Family Foundation

The foundation is committed to making a positive difference in the communities it serves by improving social conditions, promoting human welfare, and alleviating pain and suffering. https:// georgehoagfamilyfoundation.org/

Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

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The foundation was established in 1944 and supports nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of individuals living in poverty and experiencing disadvantages throughout the world. https://www.hiltonfoundation. org/