Needing an experienced grantmaker with expertise in housing and human services, the Foundation retained 
to staff its Local Shelters portfolio. We conduct due diligence and site visits throughout the five-county funding area, as well as write recommendations for grants of $50,000 to $1 million. We also analyze the overall portfolio, recommend strategies to increase the Foundation’s impact, and provide in-depth assessment and capacity building assistance to the portfolio’s largest grantees.
Projects
Strategic Grantmaking: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Campaign Planning: Enterprise Community Partners
Enterprise is playing a leadership role in fundraising, technical assistance, and project coordination for HOPE SF, an ambitious city-led initiative to redevelop multiple distressed public housing developments. They engaged to conduct a campaign planning study to determine the specific campaign components and fundraising goals and to assess funder interest and overall feasibility of a multi-million-dollar campaign to support the project. We helped Enterprise clarify and secure stakeholder buy-in, develop an innovative fundraising structure, and identify strong prospects for philanthropic investment. The campaign case statement and recommendations we prepared will serve as the basis for the campaign materials and fundraising strategy moving forward.
Responsive Grantmaking: Silicon Valley Community Foundation
provided ongoing due diligence, capacity building, and grantmaking services for SVCF’s In-School and Out-of-School, Environment, Community Building, Strengthening Families, and Health & Human Service portfolios. Currently, we provide grantmaking support for Corporate Advised Funds, including Adobe, Electronic Arts, SanDisk, and the Yahoo! Employees Fund.
Organizational Assessment & Capacity Building: SHELTER, Inc.
Faced with a leadership transition, financial constraints, and need to consolidate programs, SHELTER, Inc. hiredto lead an assessment and strategic planning process, providing both advisory services and operational assistance. With our guidance and support, SHELTER, Inc. succeeded in revamping its Board governance structure, hiring a new CEO, selling multiple properties, and redesigning its programs and services. The result is a stronger agency with enhanced leadership, fund development, and administrative capacity that ultimately provides higher quality services for clients.