Geneva Global is part of Global Impact Ventures
Even in a data rich world, finding donors to join your cause is often difficult. As one foundation learned, this can be especially true for more distant geographies and newer initiatives.
For many years, we served as embedded team members at a large, U.S.-based, private family foundation dedicated to engaging private philanthropists in the Middle East, particularly the United Arab Emirates, to give more and to do so more strategically. However, as the foundation discovered, cultivating and managing new relationships with peer donors can be challenging, especially in geographies that might be new to a philanthropist.
Side by side the U.S.-based donor, we worked with diverse stakeholders in the United States and in the Gulf region to develop and continually evolve their partnership strategy, drawing on our expertise in the philanthropic sector more broadly as well as our deep knowledge of the particularities of giving in the United Arab Emirates and the Muslim world. We identified prospective partners, provided materials for meetings and prepped principals for them, and supported public and private events. In addition, we acted as shadow program officers, issuing and managing grants and other investments focused on the foundation’s broader philanthropic ecosystem. We also cultivated donor networks, strategic partnerships, and giving collaboratives as well as organized local convenings and learning opportunities, including for individuals new to philanthropy. As part of the overall goal to shift the narrative around strategic philanthropy in the UAE and the region, we also advanced research on the sector and coordinated with a local public relations firm on communications strategies.
The return on investment from our engagement was significant. We helped our client create a $15 million fund with more than 20 donors in a new geography. Along the way, we supported ongoing learning and communications to engage and motivate those new donors. The fund continues to attract new donors interested in granting in the area of global health.
