MAKE AN IMPACT
Partners in Philanthropy
Partners in Philanthropy helps families and individuals make a meaningful impact with their philanthropy by showing them how to translate their interests and values into a vision for giving back. Together, we will navigate the complex personal, financial, and social issues surrounding giving, and create a plan for philanthropy that feels right and achievable, and leads to positive change.
“One of the best parts of being human is that we have evolved to find joy in helping others.”
Elizabeth Dunn, PhD, Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia
Source: TED Talk
Do any of these statements resonate with you?
Legacy and Family Values:
“I want to pass on my tradition of giving to the next generation and teach my children about effective philanthropy.”
Inherited Assets, Uncharted Territory:
“I have inherited assets earmarked for philanthropy, but don’t know where to begin.”
Family Dynamics:
“My family needs help communicating and making decisions about our joint donations.”
Transformative Moments:
“I need to adjust my giving strategy because of a big life event like a birth, death, marriage, or new job.”
Abundant Passion, Limited Time:
“Philanthropy is important, but I don’t have the capacity to manage it directly.”
Navigating Complexity:
“I’m frustrated by the many solicitations I receive, and need help managing and optimizing contributions.”
Your values are valuable.
Align your giving with who you are, not just what they ask for.
Every philanthropist's journey is unique, shaped by individual values, goals, and resources. Partners in Philanthropy can transform your vision into an actionable strategy that will make an impact on the causes important to you.
Services
Find joy in generosity
These are some of the ways Partners in Philanthropy can reduce your stress about giving:
Partnership and Support:
Be your dedicated partner, alleviating the burden of managing philanthropy all on your own.
Mediation and Communication:
Facilitate negotiation and communication with your family members, ensuring alignment in your philanthropic plans.
Strategy:
Develop actionable and customized strategies, empowering you to independently manage your philanthropy effectively.
Consultation and Guidance:
Answer questions and address concerns related to your philanthropy, with expert insights to enhance your giving.
Representation:
Act as your liaison with nonprofits, allowing you to be less involved while ensuring your interests are effectively represented.
Philanthropic Planning:
Collaborate to create a comprehensive plan for your giving, aligning your philanthropy with your values and goals.
Customized Solutions:
If you don’t see the right solution here but feel like Partners in Philanthropy could be a fit, please contact us.
About
Why Partners in Philanthropy?
Melissa is an accomplished strategist and advisor with a wealth of experience advancing mission-critical initiatives for both philanthropists and nonprofit organizations. She served as a major gift fundraiser at Yale University for more than a decade, helping families and individuals make meaningful connections to giving priorities that resonated with their values and interests, while addressing important institutional needs. After relocating to the Washington, DC area, Melissa led advancement for the Smithsonian Archives of American Art. There, she reenergized the board of trustees to support the organization’s most successful single fundraiser in the organization’s history. She also mentored a new generation of philanthropic leaders and strengthened relationships with loyal but distant donors.
Melissa founded Partners in Philanthropy to amplify the impact of donors’ personal and financial resources to drive meaningful change. By showing clients how to give strategically to areas of need that are aligned with their unique values and aspirations, they can provide more support and find joy in generosity. When giving is a positive experience, donors are motivated to provide greater support each year and begin to chip away at our greatest challenges. Whether helping one person attend college with a scholarship, or contributing to research for a cure for cancer, targeted philanthropy can do more to solve problems, and donors feel like they are gaining, rather than losing in the process.
Melissa helps individuals and families craft sound giving strategies and supports their relationships with organizations to strengthen their leadership in the nonprofit space. She offers personalized attention to every client, tailoring her services to serve their individual resources, needs, and interests. Her expertise and commitment ensure that each client finds purpose in their philanthropic journey.
“Over many years, Melissa was an active partner with me in navigating the Yale University administration, faculty, and students. With her help, my family and I were able to create and fund valuable experiences in developing countries for undergraduate students. These were innovative programs that did not have precedents, and she demonstrated resourcefulness repeatedly in helping our family achieve our philanthropic goals at Yale. Melissa’s personal initiative and skillful interaction with many parts of the University were invaluable in the success of the Barry Family programs.”
How
How does it work?
After an initial free consultation, Partners in Philanthropy will create a personalized proposal that outlines next steps to meet your needs and support your goals for giving.
Projects
Specific projects with predefined deliverables, such as the facilitation of family giving discussions, impact reports, nonprofit qualifications, and philanthropic planning, can be completed for a fixed fee.
Retainer
A fixed number support hours each month (minimum of 4 hours) provides consistent access to services, including but not limited to reporting, research, meeting facilitation, solicitation management, and consulting.
Contact
You can make a difference.
We can show you how.
For more information, or to schedule a phone call, video conference, or in-person meeting, please fill out this form or send an email to:
Melissa@PartnersMRC.com