AiProjects

There are many change efforts taking place in our region and are a number of successful models for using Appreciative Inquiry, nationally and globally, to build communities. AiPhilanthropy will 1) reinforce regional efforts by identifying, developing and supporting those who want to engage in positive change and 2) create, sustain and document innovative, replicable models wherever possible.

Energizing Philanthropy to Build Community
The San Diego Women's Foundation (SDWF) initiated our first Inquiry into Energizing Philanthropy to Build Community. Over 100 interviews were conducted with SDWF members, Community Partners (past grantees), participants in funded programs and friends in the community to explore their personal contributions, philanthropic motivations and wishes for the future. A forum for interviewees to begin to share those stories and develop images of the future took place on May 6, 2004 . Subsequent sessions, focused on interviews with SDWF members, were the basis for a report on “Women Giving”. Most striking to us was the importance of relationships to philanthropy.  The report explores five philanthropic motivators – 1) knowing that we make a difference, 2) leveraging professional skills, 3) connecting with other contributors, 4) connecting with the community and 5) catalyzing philanthropy to change the system. AIP conducted a work session with SDWF leadership to consider implications of the research for furthering its mission - to engage women in significant philanthropy.

The Experience of Creative Expression
A second inquiry into The Experience of Creative Expression (through arts and culture) was conducted in partnership with SDWF to test ways in which Appreciative Inquiry can inform and improve the grant making process. We engaged broad group of more than 50 artists, educators, students, donors and appreciators in interviews and roundtable discussions over the summer of 2004. The report on “Creative Community” both informed the SDWF guidelines and framed education sessions for SDWF members. We explored four topics – 1) exposure, 2) hands on creation, 3) reflective experience and 4) expansive thinking – that gave life to powerful personal experiences of creative expression.  A grantseekers' forum gave potential applicants the opportunity to understand the guidelines, share their best experiences and consider possible collaborations.

Appreciative Community Leadership
AIP works with LEAD San Diego, a community leadership program that provides a diverse class with an introduction to regional leaders and an understanding of the issues in the community. Our role is to facilitate class members' ability to bring their best leadership experience, through Leadership Action Teams, to partnerships with community organizations. The first year's experience produced seven projects that yielded not only tangible results but also deeper connections with and understanding of the communities and people served. LEAD project teams, in a community forum, encouraged attendees to contribute time, talent or money to their community partners and voiced their personal commitments to do the same.

Collaborative Creative Community

The NTC Foundation was founded to create a new home for arts & culture and nonprofits organizations in the San Diego region. 26 historical buildings on 28 acres, connected by a Promenade, are being designed for and occupied by community organizations – an unprecedented opportunity to foster and model collaboration. AiP is working with resident groups, beginning with six dance companies who will share a building, to explore the best of what each organization brings, develop images of what they want to create in their space, launch initiatives to work together toward share goals – for fundraising, marketing, education and outreach – and agree on ways to measure and track progress. We are working toward an opening Summit that will bring all resident groups, their supporters and the broader community in one room to continue the co-creation.

Innovative Organizing

The NTC Foundation staff and board are committed to organizing themselves in ways that are as innovative and collaborative as the community they are creating. AiP facilitates staff and board “advance” sessions to make the most of individual and team talents, articulate shared visions for the future, initiate critical projects – to design and build organizational infrastructure, raise necessary financial and human resources, reach out to the community – and agree on ways to systematically track and measure progress. AiP is pleased to be working in partnership with the NTC Foundation to make the most of this extraordinary opportunity.

Inspired, Connected Organizations

AiP works with selected nonprofit organizations – in staff and/or Board sessions – to connect personal passions and philanthropic aspirations to the organizational mission, develop shared images of the future, and launch initiatives that generate breakthrough change and results. Clients include the SG Komen Foundation, SCEI ( Solana  Center for Environmental Innovation), K.I.T. (Kids Included Together) and the City Heights Business Association We are committed to following up with these partners to measure progress and increase the community “yield” from their efforts, and to share what works with their counterparts across the nation.