Philanthropic Values Statement

This information was developed with concepts created by Shelley Strickland, PhD, Vice President for Development and Donor Services at Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.

Click here for a PDF of the Philanthropic Values Statement Worksheet. This handout takes you step-by-step through things to consider when crafting your and your family's philanthropic values statement. Here is an example of how the worksheet can be filled out.

Defining Your Values:

  • What are some of your core values? Be specific and give examples. 
  • What are other examples of gifts or meaningful actions that matter to you and why? 
  • What causes/issues interest you? What sector do you want to focus your giving in? Include a description of why you care about this focus and any stories that will help family members in particular to understand your passion and commitment. 
  • What are your goals and aspirations for your involvement with your chosen cause/sector? What do you want to do with that focus?

Scope and Involvement:

  • Define the scope of your cause. Is your interest in the individual or the system? State broad types of organizations that interest you and then get more specific with particular organizations you would like to focus on. Do you want to focus on organizations at the local, state, or national level?
  • In addition to giving, is it important that you also become involved with the organization as a volunteer? If so, what level of exposure do you want?
  • How much previous exposure have you had to this organization? How much do you want to gain in the future, if any?

Strategies:

  • Will you donate annually or do you want to make multi-year commitments?
  • Do you want to provide ongoing support for an organization or do you prefer to focus on specific projects?
  • Will you provide seed funding or start a more long-term partnership?
  • How much risk do you want to take? Will you invest in start-up organizations or pilot projects? Or do you prefer to invest in more established efforts or provide funding as a capstone, for example?
  • Will you set up your gifting in an endowment (permanent fund) or in an expendable fund?

Live YOUR Plan™