How philanthropic is Nevada? It depends — on whom you ask, where you look and how you measure it. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, residents of the Silver State increased their giving the most over every other state pre- and postrecession, but individuals are only one piece of the philanthropy pie. What about Nevada’s businesses?
This question lacked an answer until recently. In 2013, the Nevada Corporate Giving Council, Moonridge Group Philanthropy Catalysts and Applied Analysis launched the first Nevada Corporate Philanthropy Survey to analyze where, why and how companies invest in our community. The survey received responses from the leading industries including hospitality, mining, banking and food and beverage. The 2013 Nevada Corporate Philanthropy Report was the first of its kind for the Silver State, but also one of the first reports of this nature for the entire country. Applied Analysis recently shared findings from 2014:
• Total estimated giving: $134.4M
• Giving per employee: $487 (average amount employees donate of their own money)
• Volunteer hours: 260,460
• Where companies give: 34.1 percent health and social services; 12.8 percent arts and culture; 12.2 percent civic and public affairs; 10.3 percent education; 6.2 percent environment; 2.2 percent community infrastructure; 1.3 percent higher education; 0.2 percent disaster relief; 20.7 percent other or unknown.
The report is useful for corporate funders and nonprofit organizations. For funders, it provides an overview of how others give and provides a basis for comparison. For nonprofits, it provides an inside look into the giving strategies of funders.
Key lessons from a funder’s perspective include:
• Relationship-building is key: Messages addressed “To whom it may concern” are less likely to receive a response. Keep in mind, the philanthropy chair or authority represents the company, not their personal interests, when making investments in the community.
• The money pot is not bottomless: There are more requests than there are corporations able to fulfill them. Nevada companies are philanthropic but also selective and strategic in their giving.
• Swim with the current, not upstream: Many funders give to specific sectors. Identify prospects that align with your mission.
Julie Murray is CEO and principal of the Moonridge Group Philanthropy Catalysts. Brianna Lawrence, also of Moonridge, is the project manager for the Nevada Corporate Giving Council.