Success Stories

Issues: Healthy Environments

Hugh J. Andersen Foundation: quiet philanthropy bucks trends and credit

Created in 1962 “to better people's lives and strengthen communities”, the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation does pretty much the opposite of what many foundations do. “The Hugh J. Andersen Foundation is not about making a huge, immediate impact and leveraging big dollars; we’re about doing many small, good things in our area,” says program director Brad Kruse.

Created by Andersen Family members, founders and owners of the Bayport, Minnesota-based Andersen Corporation, the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation's primary geographic area of focus is the St. Croix Valley, a mix of rural, suburban and urban communities that span the Minnesota/Wisconsin border just east of the Twin Cities. The Foundation primarily supports nonprofits in Washington County in Minnesota, and Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties in Wisconsin.

Seacoast Women's Giving Circle: a wave of philanthropy washes over New Hampshire's Seacoast

When Anne Rouse Sudduth gathered 12 women in her living room in April 2006, it wasn't to discuss the latest novel on Oprah's book club list over cheesecake. Determined to pool their skills, energy and financial resources, the women formed the Seacoast Women's Giving Circle to make a difference in southern New Hampshire's Seacoast region. Not content to simply write a check for a local charity, giving circle members become engaged in emerging community issues through collective giving and grassroots action.  Most importantly, notes founder Rouse Sudduth, giving circle members want to connect with like-minded people to practice community leadership.

A Few Words with Regina McGraw - March 2009

Each month, SmartLink introduces a leader from a SmartLink issue or foundation.  In this series of brief, candid interviews, the leader offers his or her advice for donors looking to make a difference in a particular field or in response to a particular circumstance.

This A Few Words With offers reflections and advice from Regina McGraw, executive director of the Wieboldt Foundation in Chicago.  Among other things, SmartLink asked Regina:  How do donors and foundation leaders, especially those committed to working in low-income communities, regroup after their own philanthropic dollars are dramatically reduced?

Contorer Foundation stresses strategy and humility

When successful technology executive Aaron Contorer started his own family foundation, he was not simply trying to create a more meaningful life for himself. He felt compelled to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. He seeks to accelerate social change in his community.  A former Microsoft executive who helped build products including Windows and MSN, Aaron became inspired by his former boss’ philanthropy while working with him in Seattle in the late 1990s.  “Bill Gates was obviously an amazing role model regarding the importance of philanthropy and focusing on results,” recalls Aaron, 41. “He looks at philanthropy as real work to improve the world rather than just the opportunity to write checks and hope that it does something.”

The Siebel Foundation: strategic focus achieves groundbreaking results

When Woodside, CA-based software developer Tom Siebel and his wife Stacey established the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation in 1996, they did something few philanthropic organizations do:  they chose not to accept grant proposals. Investing primarily in projects it creates and operates, the Siebel Foundation’s strategic philanthropy focuses on community-based organizations that benefit the homeless and underprivileged, methamphetamine prevention as well as creative educational, research and alternative energy initiatives.  “I have the opportunity to work with some very talented people...where the consequences of failure are actually very low, and the consequences of success are almost unbelievable.”  Unbelievable success is exactly what the Siebel Foundation has achieved since launching The Meth Project in Montana in 2005.

Helping donors achieve impact

You have questions, when it comes to your community giving.  All over the country, your fellow donors have similar goals and face similar challenges. Learn how other donors are navigating their way to effective, satisfying community giving.

From the Trenches: A Philanthropic Experience Following Katrina

At 11 p.m. on September 7, 2005, just as I was shutting down my computer, an e-mail arrived asking whether I would be willing to go to Louisiana to help create a foundation to receive and distribute private funds for disaster relief. 

Nine days after Hurricane Katrina had hit, and with flood waters still inundating New Orleans, the Kennedy School of Government had been approached by the governor's office to send a team to join with philanthropic professionals from around the nation to plan the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation.  I jumped at the opportunity to be helpful. 

Over the next day and a half, I found it difficult enough to get confirmation of our participation, clear schedules, and coordinate flights with other Kennedy School members (Baton Rouge via Detroit), let alone gather good information from Louisiana about the particulars of our assignment and the situation on the ground. 

I packed a pillow in case I ended up sleeping on the floor of a shelter.  One of my peers brought iodine tablets for purifying non-potable water.

The Gulf Coast: Lessons on Community Building and Re-building

Hurricanes and subsequent levy breaks and flooding devastated the Gulf Coast in August 2005.  This natural and man-made disaster was particularly destructive in low-income communities.  Years later, communities continue to re-build and engage all residents in envisioning a new future for the region.  Donors like you, from the Gulf Coast region and around the country, have made a real difference in shaping a brighter, more equitable future for the Gulf Coast.  Along the way, lessons have been learned which can help instruct community building efforts all over the United States.