A New Generation of Giving
When a feasibility study for Fanshawe Pioneer Village revealed that the next generation of philanthropists and volunteers wasn’t stepping up, London Community Foundation responded with action: Create amini-MBA in philanthropy that teaches people how to give.
The Foundation approached local business owner Paul Hayman in 2007 to champion the idea. As someone “at the stage of life where my kids were getting older and we were starting to have more free time,” strategic giving was on his radar.
Hayman worked with a group of peers to realize a vision for ENGAGE! London, an A-to-Z journey in philanthropy geared toward creating a personal strategy for giving.
ENGAGE! targets people 35 to 55 who have the capacity to give but need some help learning how.
Participants learn about building community capacity, governance, and strategic philanthropy, and participate in a case study with a local charity. They gain an understanding of what makes them excited about giving back, whether that’s sitting on a board of directors, creating an annual giving plan or establishing a legacy fund.
“ENGAGE! is all about empowering people to act”, Hayman says. “Participants find an organization or cause that jazzes them and the community benefits from a new generation of people who know how to make things happen.”
There’s no cost, no hidden agenda, no sales pitch. Just education, inspiration, good networking, and yes, free lunch. So far, over 100 people have participated in the program. Martha Powell, CEO of the London Community Foundation, says that 95% of them are acting on what they’ve learned.
Personally, Hayman credits the program with helping him re-think his role in not-for-profits and in business ventures. “It infuses everything,” he says. “Now, I’m committed to the triple bottom line: profit for shareholders, staff who make a difference, and giving back to the community.”