Our Approach
When armed with the right strategies and approaches to social issues, philanthropists have the opportunity to transform our world.
Merging Social Sector Knowledge and Business Expertise
We believe that to work with people that have business backgrounds and also those in the social sector, it is important to understand both. We have a background in both the business and social sectors and this unique exposure provides an understanding and the ability to “speak the language” of both sectors. We deeply understand the many issues and complexities that the social sector faces, but we are willing to approach some of these issues with a business-oriented perspective.
Rigorous Analytical Approach
No one would make an investment into a company without analyzing the financials, the market landscape, and the trends. Why make a philanthropic “investment” without doing the same? SmarterGive believes in the power of data to guide decision-making, and we bring this rigor and data-first approach to develop strategies and programs. We use our expertise in data and analysis to develop smart creative solutions to real social problems and needs.
Deep Issue Knowledge and Broad Geographic Scope
We know that the interests of philanthropists are as broad as the issues they are looking to impact and we have deep experience across a wide range of social issues including healthcare, education, community development, and the environment. In addition, we have diverse set of experiences working locally, nationally and globally and can help develop a strategy with our global connections or local knowledge.
Ability to Create Impact
Ultimately philanthropy is about making a positive mark on society and hopefully creating meaningful social change. We want to see this change happen; this is what motivates us to do the work we do. We believe that the more strategic, informed, and involved the donor, the greater the power to make a difference. Our work is impact-focused and impact-first.
An Individualized Flexible Approach
We know that each person and organization has unique interests and experiences that guide their giving. Because charitable giving is such a highly personal experience, we believe that a philanthropic approach must be tailored to meet the needs of each client. We work side-by-side clients to yield personalized solutions that we believe lead to better outcomes for everyone. We can adjust the scope of our work to fit the needs of any of our clients.
Featured Articles
Learnings from Working in a Rural Community
Since the 2016 election, Americans have suddenly woken up to the importance of “rural America.” Academics are looking to better understand and study populations, reporters are featuring countless stories on people living in rural areas […]
Why Early Childhood Matters for Combating Poverty
While many people may believe that the early years of a child’s life reflect little of what the child will ultimately become and see the later years as more defining, in fact, the opposite is […]
Our Experience with the Social Innovation Forum
Over the past year, SmarterGive’s has worked with the Gisela B Hogan Foundation to develop a new strategy focused on early childhood. For our first grant in this new space we sponsored a track, “Addressing […]
Less is More When it Comes to Philanthropy
If you have $100 to give, do you give it to one organization or divide it among five? Do you give it all at once or over time? Recently, I have noticed a trend among […]
“Being innovative in your philanthropy allows you to stride forward in your giving journey; you can marry your mind and heart to turn charity into lasting impact; and you can become more ambitious in your giving.”
“Billions are wasted on ineffective philanthropy. Philanthropy is decades behind business in applying rigorous thinking to the use of money.”
“My theme for philanthropy is the same approach I used with technology: to find a need and fill it.”
“Philanthropy should be taking much bigger risks that business. If these are easy problems, business and government can come in and solve them.”