THG has a client portfolio that is usually weighted heavily with public-private partnerships. This essentially means these clients have a 501(c) 3 that supports a publicly funded organization. A common example that is well recognized is a Public Library. Another example is a Public University.

What is becoming a more common practice is where private philanthropy is being invited to support Public K-12 Schools. This support is used to offer scholarships to students as they graduate and pursue higher education, enhance curriculum with classroom equipment, honor teachers, honor alumni, and even support capital construction projects.

We always recognize the public-private relationship as one which turns something that is already good into something great.

Client Spotlight: Oakwood Schools Foundation

Recently, we posted on our LinkedIn and Facebook about our pride toward one of our clients breaking ground on a capital project. The client, Oakwood Schools Foundation, partners with Oakwood Public Schools in Dayton, Ohio. This project was unique in that it was an entirely privately funded project to build a Performing Arts Wing at the High School and to rehab current classroom space into a Visual Arts Gallery and Studio. It was also the largest private philanthropy project ever in its community.

The project was successful for the following reasons:

• A well-established relationship with their local Community Foundation. Holding funds there for the project demonstrated credibility with the donor community.
• A solid MOU between the Foundation and the School. This is one of the most important documents this type of relationship demands. It details the ownership structure and the distribution of funds. Something that needs to be understood immediately is that donations can only be moved from the Foundation to the Public entity. 
• Outstanding volunteer fundraising. THG has rarely observed the level of tenacity demonstrated by the volunteer fundraising team for this project. People give to people and this team evoked a contagious curiosity and response.
• Strong staff oversight. The staff overturned more than once during the course of our work. Once there was a person put in place who had experience, personal vesting, and an established track record of success in the community, we were able to work together to demonstrate continued commitment, experience, and growth. 

Each of these can point to one or more of our pillars of Hyper-Philanthropy™️ and we applaud the commitment and hard work of this client to making the intentions of its community a reality and to demonstrating once again how this turns something good into something great.  Contact us today to learn how you can become Hyper about Philanthropy.