Incubator Project

Silicon Valley Planned Giving Council’s Incubator Project FY 2011-13

Purpose

Problem

While many nonprofit organizations believe a growing endowment fund will help to sustain them, and that a planned giving program is important, most are in need of help to get a program started.

Solution

The Silicon Valley Planned Giving Council (SVPGC) developed a model program to encourage, instruct, nurture, and support select local nonprofit organizations on their path to establishing and operating successful and appropriate planned giving and endowment-building programs. This is a mentoring program for the organization. Over the 11 years of the program, 35+ nonprofit organizations and volunteer mentors have participated, and millions of dollars have been raised!

Selection Process

Nonprofit organizations must submit a written request to the SVPGC by Friday June 29, 2012, and will be notified by Monday July 16, 2012 regarding acceptance. Follow-up activities and services will take place throughout the two-year period, ending officially by June 30, 2013.

Nonprofit organizations will:

• Submit a completed application including approval from its governing body to engage in the program, with at least two volunteers, one of which must be a Board member, participating.

• Send a team of 3-6 people, including staff and board/volunteer leaders, to attend a half-day training session in September. Key people must be present.

• Spend at least four hours per month in such activities as discussing or planning with the internal team or implementing the program.

• Make this program a priority in organizational and leadership activities for the two-year period.

• Develop reasonable goals for the year in conjunction with mentors.

• Pay an annual fee to cover expenses (upon acceptance - $1,000, including all materials, meals).

• Participate in an evaluation process to guide future program development.

• Have at least one person with a current membership in the Silicon Valley Planned Giving Council.

Silicon Valley Planned Giving Council will:

• Provide training sessions and group meetings per calendar.

• Guide nonprofit participants in developing reasonable goals for the year.

• Assign a team of Council members to each nonprofit organization to serve as mentors and assist in reaching the goals.

• Mentors will attend training sessions and provide at least two hours per month consultation over first year, and one hour per month in the second year.

• Maintain regular communication between Council and participants, and share results.