Recommendations A number of strategies for engaging Chinese American donors were suggested by the data, but not necessarily stated directly by participants. Gateways to Donor Participation As noted above, knowing and trusting the recipient of a donation was an imperative highlighted by participants. A willingness to “front” for a trusted organization was heard from a number of participants. This creates an opportunity to draw upon the goodwill and support of those who have committed to bring in new donors. Arming those who might function as matchmakers with information that will be desired and persuasive to new donors is discussed below. However, a note of caution must be sounded here. Many donors spoke of providing limited support when asked by family, friends and associates to support causes and organizations important to them, but which the donor does not see as central to her or his philanthropy. The challenge will be to turn that limited support into core support through timely, appropriate information and outreach. It was clear from the participants that trust and opportunities for engagement are fundamental to their willingness to be involved with an organization. Determining the kind of evidence that will be acceptable to establish the trustworthiness of the organization is essential. Donors were especially concerned about organizational effectiveness and efficiency, as evidenced by an organization’s ability to: ■ ■ Family Donor Circles. Among the participants there were couples who engage in philanthropy either jointly or separately, adult families that engage in philanthropy sometimes as a coherent group and sometimes as individuals, and parents who use their own philanthropy to educate their children and to start them on the path to engaging. Small Chinese American family donor circles could be developed that would allow families to design and implement a coherent family philanthropy plan that could involve either diversified or highly focused giving and complementary activities depending on a family’s circumstances and preferences. Moderate Means Circles. There are many people of more modest wealth whose giving could be focused and magnified through donor circles of Chinese American professionals. Just as with the circles described above, these circles could be created around issues of particular interest, and managed to maximize the impact of the group’s giving potential. And, as with the wealthier circles, growing networks and bringing new potential donors into the circles expands their power and can generate momentum. Youth Circles. Just as with the moderate means circles, donor circles focused on engaging young people have the potential to involve them in issues of concern, while shaping their giving in the future. Manage its funds and operations effectively; Provide good services and produce good outcomes; and Govern effectively. Developing a package of materials that is shared in the early information stage of forming a relationship may suggest trustworthiness to a potential donor. Remembering that most will be business leaders, materials should be clear about how services are chosen for maximum effectiveness and about the agency’s business practices. Vehicles In order to bring Chinese American donors into a relationship with a new organization, there are clear affirmative criteria and barriers detailed above. The vehicles discussed below are ideas for engagement that respond to one or more of the stated criteria as well as cultural traits of the community. Donor Circles. Donor circles are a well-known means of working with wealthy donors. Focused on a core issue, donor circles bring together donors to magnify their individual ability to effect a change or create something new. Given the suggestion by donors that they trust causes supported by other Chinese American philanthropists, as well as the willingness of some to act as matchmakers between new donors and a recommended organization, the donor circle appears to be an ideal vehicle. A series of Chinese American donor circles that focus on the core causes described earlier would potentially address: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ “ Creation of trust of the organization; Focus on core issues; Ability to control the direction and use of donations; Ability to have a donation have greater impact through magnification of resources; Ability to be recognized or anonymous as desired. Trust and opportunities for engagement are fundamental to their willingness to be involved with an organization. ” 13 Donor circles would create an opportunity for participants to bring new individuals into the network having already satisfied many of the criteria detailed by donors in the study. This would also allow “novice” donors to become experienced in a safe and supportive setting. 12 SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION