Success Stories

Region: Southeast

The New Mountain Climbers: African-American Giving Circle ascends new heights

Collective action, pooled resources and racial equality inspire the philanthropic activities of New Mountain Climbers.  A giving circle and donor advised fund, The New Mountain Climbers is a group of African American philanthropists who have joined forces to focus on the needs of present and future leaders in Montgomery County, Virginia. 

Through Multiple Generations: Rosenwald and Stern Families' Philanthropic Journey

When David Stern’s great-grandfather, Julius Rosenwald, established the Rosenwald Fund in 1917, he set a philanthropic precedent for the family. Rosenwald, who was instrumental in shaping the success of Sears and Roebuck Company, focused on philanthropy after resigning as president from Sears. When the Rosenwald Fund was initiated, he made the decision to use all his funds for philanthropic purposes, and to spend out the fund in 25 years. “He believed that foundations should not exist in perpetuity,” explains David Stern. “-- That all assets should be spent in one generation.  He believed philanthropic dollars should be used to bring about desired social outcomes, not to create a foundation interested in self-preservation.”

From this basis, succeeding generations would make decisions that embraced a variety of groundbreaking and creative grant-making strategies, influencing U.S. philanthropy and simultaneously facilitating social change.

Jovid Foundation's focus on job training is one "secret" to successful giving

Joan and David Maxwell established the Jovid Foundation in 1991 with a goal to help the poor in Washington, DC move out of poverty. To do so, the foundation supports organizations that focus on job training and employment. With a focus on one geographic area and a single issue, the Maxwells offer an example of focused and disciplined giving. Yet, the Jovid Foundation does not shy away from risk, either.

Helping donors achieve impact

You have questions, when it comes to your community giving.  All over the country, your fellow donors have similar goals and face similar challenges. Learn how other donors are navigating their way to effective, satisfying community giving.

From the Trenches: A Philanthropic Experience Following Katrina

At 11 p.m. on September 7, 2005, just as I was shutting down my computer, an e-mail arrived asking whether I would be willing to go to Louisiana to help create a foundation to receive and distribute private funds for disaster relief. 

Nine days after Hurricane Katrina had hit, and with flood waters still inundating New Orleans, the Kennedy School of Government had been approached by the governor's office to send a team to join with philanthropic professionals from around the nation to plan the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation.  I jumped at the opportunity to be helpful. 

Over the next day and a half, I found it difficult enough to get confirmation of our participation, clear schedules, and coordinate flights with other Kennedy School members (Baton Rouge via Detroit), let alone gather good information from Louisiana about the particulars of our assignment and the situation on the ground. 

I packed a pillow in case I ended up sleeping on the floor of a shelter.  One of my peers brought iodine tablets for purifying non-potable water.

Butler Family Fund Brings Attention, Success to New Housing Strategy

In 1999, the Butler Family Fund awarded a $20,000 grant to the Southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing (SCANPH) to help launch Housing L.A., an advocacy campaign to create an affordable housing trust fund in the city of Los Angeles. 

At the time, a housing trust fund was an untested idea in Los Angeles.