Capacity Ratings: Hands-On Case Studies Sponsored by
Vanishing Equity Bill Powers, Hospital for Special Surgery ~ International Entrepreneur Sharon Das, Rutgers University Foundation ~ GenX Giving Jessica Davis, NYU Langone Medical Center ~ Loyalty, Family Ties and the Art of Cultivation Matthew Perrin, Natural Resources Defense Council
Disclaimer All names and otherwise identifiable information have been changed to protect the identity of the donor and protect the interests of the respective institutions.
Case 1:Vanishing Equity Bill Powers Hospital for Special Surgery
Background The prospect with a strong affinity for the organization was a top executive and insider with a public financial firm. Initial rating of $500K to $1M. A solicitation meeting scheduled with gift officer in October Stock market tanked and the prospect lost nearly all the value in their stock holdings. Research recommended that the gift officer cancel the meeting. Prospect was put on hold for over a year until cultivation could be reestablished.
Outcome Organization continued to track prospect for the next year with continual news updates on career status. After the markets started to improve near end of 2009 and into 2010, the prospect was solicited for a gift. The meeting resulted in a $100,000 individual gift and $1M+ gift from the family.
Fundraising Strategy Example demonstrates the role that research plays in the fundraising process and with frontline staff beyond identification. Top prospects should be tracked by a push technology method: Google alerts, LNDP,NYT, Factiva. Use common sense and manageable prospect groups so that staff are not overwhelmed. –For example: create 25 alerts on top prospects as opposed to 2,500 alerts for each gift officer.
Resources for Tracking Free: Google Alerts, Yahoo/Google Finance Subscription based: Lexis-Nexis, Factiva, NOZA Gift Alerts, Wealth Engine, Edgar Pro, Capital IQ, NY Times, Crains
Case 2: International Entrepreneur Sharon Das Rutgers University
Initial Research Finds… Born in Asia, now resides in the US Started college career in the south, but was interested in one of Rutgers engineering programs No philanthropic giving to other institutions; small political donations Home valued just under $1 million Patent Holder (30 global patents) Chairman of an industry-specific engineering scholarship organization Founder and CEO of private company established in mid-70s –Several subsidiaries and sister companies established in the US (w/ international connections) –Customers include some of the top names in his industry –Estimated sales of $50 million; one factory in China –On Inc.s List of Fastest Growing Companies for both 2008 and 2009 Assigned a pre-qualified rating of $100,000 to $499,999 over a 5 year period
Immediate Action Assigned to, and heavily engaged by, the engineering fundraiser Invited to campus for tour of engineering faculty and buildings Had multiple meetings with the Dean Alum expressed interest in serving on Advisory Board; was quickly nominated and accepted $1,000 gift through his company
One Year Later…. Updated Research Finds: Company revenue grew 200% Opened additional factories in China (per news reports) Parent company acquires a Paris-based manufacturing facility that gives his company entré directly into the European market Company acquires two factories state-side Company engages in philanthropic activity (makes corporate donations, spends thousands in corporate sponsorships)
Engagement and Cultivation Heats Up Alum has attended three high-level events on campus, including a Rediscover Rutgers event Guest speaker at several school events Multiple meetings with University President Agrees to introduce Rutgers to other CEOs in his industry and help in gift solicitations for endowments Alum makes a $100,000 cash donation to an academic fund Rating Increased to $500,000 to $999,999 over a 5 year period
And Eight Months After That… Dean asks for, and gets, a $250,000 pledge via the company Best of all…. A $1.5 million proposal to establish an endowed chair was presented to the alum, and is under consideration!
Case 3: Gen X Giving Jessica Davis NYU Langone Medical Center
Motivated Couple Gift officer wants to know how much a couple will likely give They have very positive feelings towards the Medical Center and reached out via the staff The donors want to give a certain percent of their wealth – but didnt specify %
Background Young couple (under 35) No major gifts found, but probably support their alma maters (both attended private universities) He: Current: VP at a private equity firm. Previously worked at a major investment firm for 5+ years (title unknown) She: Current: VP of a large private financial services firm. Former VP of a major investment firm (the same one as where her husband worked for 5+ years) Total time employed: 10+ years each Rent in a luxury building in Manhattan
Now What? Not a lot of hard data! What can we estimate? Lets be conservative: Liabilities: rent likely $5,000+, based on comps; student loans? Lifestyle? No mortgage! Income: 6+ figures with potential for bonus. Stock: Both likely have a diversified investment portfolio with long-term holdings, based on career information What is their giving vehicle? Cash? Stock?
Outcomes This couple looked like other young financially strong donors – giving in the range of $10K- $50K Perhaps more likely to give with stock GO wanted $1M – I thought closer to $25K, based on other donors Result: stock transfer of low 6 figures
Case 4: Loyalty, Family Ties and the Art of Cultivation Matthew Perrin Natural Resources Defense Council
Background Born and lives in New York City Early 30s, single and without children Graduate of elite liberal arts college and self-employed graphic designer Democrat Relationship with NRDC: Direct mail member since1998 with consistent and increasing support since 2005 from $1,000 annually to $5,000 in Active on NRDC Facebooks page and as E-activist. Pattern of giving prompted research in 2009 Jane Donor
Family Middle child - brother, age 35 (investment bank); sister, age 20 (in college) Parents divorced; father is remarried Father is a partner in private equity firm with $25 billion AUM and garners press attention for role in financial community Charity Attends numerous benefits at $1K level (mostly arts and hospitals; occasionally serves on Committees); no board memberships Only support of environment: small benefit support for an environmental organization in 2002 Fathers foundation has $200 million in assets and is focused on education, hospitals, and the arts (but no environmental). He is a board member of several organizations. Brother gives to many of the same charities as the father, but at membership level; does not serve on any boards Family and Charitable Interests
Jane probably has access to family money and has much greater giving potential. It is highly likely that Jane can and will incorporate the environment into the foundations giving strategy. She may have a say in her fathers grant making, based on other giving patterns. Goal: encourage Jane to direct foundation grants to NRDC as she might not have personal assets for giving. Jane is young and voluntarily engaged with NRDC in an increasingly active manner. Cultivate accordingly! Action Plan Give Jane the opportunity to more personally interact with NRDC. First Step: Gift Officer to call Jane and invite Jane to donor luncheon. Assessment and Strategy
Short term Jane appreciated the attention and talked extensively about her activism. She attended a luncheon in She declined benefit committees stating she already served on too many. Gift Officer successfully asked for $25,000 3 months later. Later At a 2009 meeting, Jane revealed that she had access to a foundation funded by her father who she said was famous on Wall Street and she could give NRDC more substantial funding in the future. (Which we knew!) Jane is invited on donor trip with Senior staff. Jane gave $100,000 in 2010 and in She joins an advisory board. Jane is now well connected to the NRDC and the organization is positioned for continued funding from her. Research will be refreshed on regular basis and Development will calibrate asks as relationship develops. Results
Sharon Das, Rutgers University Foundation Jessica Davis, NYU Langone Medical Center Matthew Perrin, Natural Resources Defense Council Bill Powers, Hospital for Special Surgery Contact Info