| What Does Immediate Response Mean in Philanthropy?
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Responding quickly to community needs, and getting resources
where they are needed, is at the heart of PVF's approach to grantmaking, and we
feel this maximizes each grant dollar.
Responding to
emergencies:
When a small plane crashed in East Palo
Alto causing fatalities and considerable property damage, Philanthropic
Ventures Foundation immediately established a fund at the request of one of our
donors. We became part of a cohort of
people and agencies addressing the needs of families that were affected by the
crash. One family depended on collecting
scrap metal and their truck was destroyed.
The money for a replacement truck came from the PVF Fund, with
contributions made by the Palo Alto Pilots Association, PVF and various
individuals. Other outlays will be made
for urgent repairs of property damage.
The PVF fund is far faster than insurance payout and many of the
residents of this low-income area did not have insurance. Being able to respond swiftly is what PVF is all about.
Making a "critical
needs fund" available to agencies:
Legal Aid Society of San
Mateo County is able to give emergency funds to meet the needs of their clients. It was PVF that many years ago suggested such
a fund to the Legal Aid Society. At
first they hesitated, "Since when does the lawyer give money to the client?" But then they realized the value of having on
hand such a pool of funds, and have been using it very effectively. This agency works with families most affected
by the economic downturn, and a critical needs fund allows the agency to meet a
client's urgent shelter, food or medical care need.
Funding good ideas
without application:
 The principal of a high school has a gang problem,
especially with incoming students. She
has a plan for a new summer program where incoming freshmen will attend a
'camp' run by older students trained in leadership. The principal's idea of orienting new
students and pairing them with a mentor is a well thought out effort to combat
the influence of gangs. PVF put up the
necessary funds immediately. The principal was not required to fill out an
enormous application for support.
Funding new grassroots
initiatives:
There are big health programs and there are small ones. In East Palo Alto,
there is a new initiative to offer 'door step health care' (our term) by committed
people who, with their own money, started a mobile health program that offers
counseling and acupuncture in six different city locations. A considerable number of people use the
service which is known mainly by word of mouth.
Is this significant? We think so because it is an innovative effort
reaching very low income people and having a positive impact. This is a new grassroots program that is not
on the radar of most funders, and they don't have the personnel to apply for
grants. PVF funded this new effort after
a site visit.
Immediate-response
grants to professionals:
The administrator of the Santa Clara County Courts called
PVF regarding the possibility of funds to assist clients in teen court and
dependency drug court. This is where
very small funding can help a young person in foster care at a critical
time. PVF sent the check almost by
return mail. PVF sets aside money for every juvenile court judge in the
Bay Area to use in meeting the needs of children in dependency, for glasses,
clothing, tutoring, dental work.
More
funds are needed for PVF's Juvenile Court Judges Program. Donors can send checks directly to PVF and we
will report back on how the money is used to benefit youth in foster care.
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About the Editor
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Bill Somerville has been in non-profit and philanthropic work for 49 years. He was the director of a community foundation for 17 years, and in 1991 founded Philanthropic Ventures Foundation where he serves as Executive Director. PVF is a demonstration foundation practicing unique forms of grantmaking and conducting innovative philanthropy. Bill has consulted at over 400 community foundations in the United States, Canada, and the U.K., on creative grantmaking and foundation operations. His primary interest is in the creative and significant use of the philanthropic dollar.
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Board of Directors
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John P. Carver, Chair
Retired Senior Vice-President
The Gap Inc.
Duncan Beardsley
Marketing Consultant
Howard H. Bell
Attorney
Bell, Rosenberg & Hughes, LLP
William E. Green
Attorney
William Green & Associates
Albert J. Horn
Attorney
Carr, McClellan, Ingersoll,
Thompson & Horn PC
Bill Somerville, President
Executive Director
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
Jackie Speier
U.S. Representative
12th District of California
Moira C. Walsh
Attorney and
Philanthropic Advisor
Colburn S. Wilbur
Trustee and Former President
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
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