A Spectrum of Possibilities Questions to Consider Theory of Change Reflection of Theory of Change, From the Field Going Deeper

Choosing a Strategy

A Spectrum of Possibilities

This section helps you select a poverty focus or strategy that fits your community foundation and your community.

Why?

The possible community foundation responses to poverty cover a spectrum, from responsive grantmaking through to strategic community-wide initiatives. The spectrum reflects an increasing intensity in the foundation's commitment to poverty: an increasing level of resources, reputation, risk etc.

You can respond to poverty within each of the three community foundation roles in the community (grantmaking, donor service, leadership) and also in the way you do business internally. (We saw an array of examples in Ways to Respond to Poverty.)

It is likely that your foundation will work at different places on the spectrum at different times in your development, and often simultaneously. The strategies you choose will depend on your context. There is no right or wrong approach - only a need to be thoughtful about your choices.

Download this table as a printable handout (PDF)

Grantmaking Donor Service and Asset Development Community Leadership Responsive grants to alleviate poverty Reponsive grants to prevent poverty Grants to build the capacity of poverty activists and coalitions Leadership development grants for marginalized people Grants to research poverty Call for proposals on poverty reduction Funding of economic opportunity initiatives and social innovation Strategic grantmaking focus on poverty Multi-year commitments to poverty programs Investment of foundation assets in social enterprise funds for grantmaking Bring in guest speakers on poverty for donor education Invite donors to meet poverty grantees Take donors to tour poor neighbourhoods and do site visits to poverty organizations Highlight poverty grant stories in newsletters, website, annual report Talk to donors about value of long-term funding to poverty reduction programs Offer innovative fund opportunities like micro-loan funds Attract a challenge gift to build a fund for poverty reduction initiatives Contribute time and money to poverty think tanks and forums Commission research into poverty Convene local funders to coordinate approaches to community poverty Convene stakeholders (people living with poverty, poverty organizations, politicians etc.) to discuss the reality of poverty and possible solutions Facilitate exchange between grassroots groups and policy-makers Facilitate exchange between leaders from different sectors (poverty advocates, social services, business, government, etc.) Fund and promote advocacy efforts that support poverty reduction Provide leadership to community-wide efforts to reduce poverty Step out as a prominent voice on poverty reduction Community Foundation Governance and Administration Simplify granting guidelines and application process/remove barriers for grassroots poverty groups Create grant and program evaluation methods that reflect the long-term nature of social change Use board and staff meetings to learn about poverty Take board and staff on site visits to poverty organizations Learn about social policy and how it is made/changed Increase the diversity of your staff, volunteers and Board Recruit low-income advocates and residents onto your advisory committees Train staff and volunteers on how to work collaboratively Consider socially responsible investment of assets Use your financial assets to support poverty reduction opportunities like social housing development, loan funds etc.

Experience from the Field

Prompted in part by an increased focus on environmental grantmaking and community leadership arising from their participation in the Community Foundations of Canada's Community Foundations and the Environment program, the Community Foundation of Whistler launched a Socially Responsible Investment option in 2004 for donors creating new funds. The community foundation's Investment Committee notes that "the option fits well within our investment policy statement and allows us to meet our donors' needs. The investments in the new fund are formally assessed by an external expert, for socially responsible performance and business practices." Some of the areas investigated by the SRI expert include: aboriginal and community issues, corporate governance, diversity in the workplace, employee relations, environmental performance, ethical business practices, human rights issues, product safety, and involvement in alcohol, gambling, nuclear energy, tobacco, and weapons-related production.