By Jack Siragusa, Siragusa Foundation
Back in 2002, my beloved alma mater, the University of Miami, began a campaign centered on their highly successful football program. The title read: “Respect Tradition and Look Towards the Future.”
The slogan was in homage to the star players and coaches that took a small private university to a nationally recognized football powerhouse with 5 national titles in the span of 20 years. The hope was to continue building upon the success of years past while growing and evolving with the ever-changing landscape of college football.
Fast forward 10 years, the slogan still resonates with me. Not for football though, but for foundations.
For those fortunate enough to be involved with a family foundation or a non-profit that gives back in any way, the story is often similar. An individual or group starts the foundation with a vision of the greater good and an inherent mission. Over time, as the foundation grows and the originator phases out, there are new decision makers that enter the arena.
The question then often becomes, “how do we best maintain the original focus while staying relevant and impactful in the community?” This is a challenge that is faced by many small foundations. Areas of need will only grow, but it is up to the decision makers to see where their grants fit best.
Scene from ASF Next Generation Retreat, October 2012
This question also becomes relevant in terms of attracting new generations. Members of Generation X and Generation Y are motivated to break the borders of traditional grantmaking and shake up the collective routine of how a foundation “should” function. These generations think about the big picture and there are no problems that are insurmountable. It is important to engage these generations by offering them the opportunity to put their own spin on grantmaking and allow them to make their own conclusions. Specifically defined grants for the younger generations or matching grants are a great way of introducing the process.
Ultimately, there is no magic bullet formula for balancing the past and present. As need evolves, it is important for grantmakers to do the same. This is not to say that adhering to an original mission is wrong, but it is the ability to operate and adapt strategically with the ever-changing landscape of need in our communities that will allow grantmakers to make the biggest impact and stand the test of time.
ASF member Jack Siragusa is 28 years old and lives in the city of Chicago. Jack has been a board member of the Siragusa Foundation since 2006. The mission of The Siragusa Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the underserved people of Chicago by funding organizations in five program areas including: Arts & Culture, Education, the Environment, Health and Human Services. As the eldest member of the fourth generation, Jack serves as a liaison to the fourth generation members that have yet to join the board. Outside of the foundation, Jack is a senior associate in the retail services division at Cushman & Wakefield of Illinois, Inc.
Related Posts:
- Finding Our People at the ASF Next Generation Retreat
- Harnessing the Power of Questions in Your Philanthropy
- Getting Involved Isn’t Easy
Related Resources:
