Developing a Personal Giving Strategy: Insights from Social Impact Week 2024
As part of Social Impact Week 2024, SOM’s Net Impact, Consulting Club, Finance Club, and Nonprofit Board Fellows co-hosted Develop Your Giving Strategy, a workshop led by Jackie Downing and Sharon Cappetta of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
As part of Social Impact Week 2024, SOM’s Net Impact, Consulting Club, Finance Club, and Nonprofit Board Fellows co-hosted Develop Your Giving Strategy, a workshop led by Jackie Downing and Sharon Cappetta of the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Designed to inspire thoughtful philanthropy and impactful nonprofit engagement, the session provided actionable insights for individuals at all career stages to craft meaningful giving strategies and support the nonprofit sector.
Jackie Downing, Senior Director of Grantmaking and Nonprofit Support, opened by highlighting diverse pathways to impact—through employment, volunteer work, board service, and financial giving. She emphasized the wide array of roles in nonprofit organizations, including marketing, management, operations, and human resources. “There’s a place for everyone,” she emphasized, underscoring the value of diverse skill sets. For those considering board service, Downing outlined the responsibilities of nonprofit boards, emphasizing their role in shaping organizational vision and driving fundraising. She cautioned against assuming that financial contributions alone secure influence, stating, Just because you write the big check, do not expect a board seat.”
Discussing trends in philanthropy, Downing noted the enduring importance of individual contributions despite rising foundation giving. “Know the power you have,” she urged, encouraging participants to recognize their personal influence in shaping nonprofit outcomes.
The second half of the workshop was led by Sharon Cappetta, Director of Development, who began with a reflective exercise asking participants to recall their earliest memories of giving, grounding the discussion in personal connections to philanthropy. She framed giving as a deeply human practice, balancing analytical rigor with emotional resonance. She explained, “Our data gives us the information about the scale of our impact, but the stories give us the meaning,” emphasizing the dual importance of measurable outcomes and storytelling.
Cappetta introduced the “4 Ds” framework for effective giving:
- Develop a strategy by identifying causes that resonate deeply.
- Determine a sustainable budget for contributions.
- Design the right tools, such as donor-advised funds or direct donations.
- Deploy resources thoughtfully while monitoring alignment with financial and philanthropic goals.
She encouraged attendees to seek professional guidance when crafting their strategies, reminding them, “Don’t get stuck—get help.”
When asked about how to align nonprofit contributions with career timelines, Cappetta and Downing stressed that giving evolves over time. Downing encouraged early-career professionals to volunteer first, noting that such experiences often lead to board opportunities. For those looking to start a program or nonprofit, she advised ensuring the venture meets a unique need, rather than competing in an already crowded space.
The workshop left attendees equipped with tools and inspiration to approach giving as a purposeful and impactful part of their lives. Whether through volunteering, board service, or thoughtful financial contributions, participants were urged to take the first step. “You have a lot to offer, and you also have a lot to learn,” Downing concluded, delivering a resonant call to action and a powerful reminder that meaningful engagement with nonprofits not only creates impact but also fosters personal growth and a deeper connection to community.
