Donor Peer Network
In 2018, the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) engaged a philanthropic consultant to lead a series of one-on-one meetings and focus groups with our donor-clients. Our goal from this effort was to gain an in-depth understanding of the needs of our clients and to best determine the ways we could help meet those needs as we support them in their philanthropy.
It immediately became clear that our donor-clients were seeking relationship with others engaged in giving. For example, 80% shared that learning from their peers (other donors) was their most trusted source of information guiding their philanthropy. 100% of those participating in the focus group sessions shared they wanted to learn more about the challenges and issues facing our community and build relationships with other VCCF donor-clients.
Following a series of robust discussions, our donor-clients asked VCCF to create an inaugural Donor Peer Network where they could engage with others, explore best practices, and learn more about the needs of our community. We were excited to launch the first VCCF Donor Peer Network in January 2021, led by co-Chairs Catherine Sepulveda and Jack Edelstein.
For more information, please contact Calleen O’Neall at coneall@vccf.org and (805) 330-6987.
Mission Statement
To gather a community of philanthropists that serves as a network for members to connect.
Through collaborative learning, exploring opportunities and best practices, our vision is to effectively address issues to improve Ventura County.
VCCF Current Initiatives Include:
Animal Welfare
Supporting Caregivers
Capacity Building for Nonprofits
Disaster Response
Advancing Early Childhood Education
Environment
Affordable Housing
Medical Research
Support of Small Business
Vaccination Outreach & Education
Donor Peer Network Calendar
Available to Donor Peer Network Only
Proposed Date/Time | Focused Time Together | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Community of Practice
| Issue Specific
| Peer Sharing
| |
September 23, 2021
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
| Transfer of Wealth in Ventura County
| Housing and Homelessness
| Zoom Breakout Group |
October 28, 2021
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Philanthropy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
| Cutting-Edge Technology for Social Impact | Fathomwerx
Tour & Social |
November 18, 2021
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
| Regional Equity Study of Central Coast
| DEI in the Field of Philanthropy
| Zoom Breakout Groups
|
December 2, 2021
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | The Power of
Appreciative Inquiry
| Early Childhood
| VCCF Nonprofit Center
Holiday Season Social |
January 27, 2022
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | State of the Nonprofit Sector in Ventura County
| Environment
| Zoom Breakout Groups
|
February 24, 2022
Noon – 1:30 p.m | Sustainable Development Goals and the Power of the Community Foundation Global Network
| The Interconnectedness of Issues and Dealing with Complex Topics
| Zoom Breakout Groups
Book Discussion: Money Well Spent: A Strategic Plan for Smart Philanthropy |
March 24, 2022
5:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Dinner with VCCF Board of Directors (Open Group Discussion, Sharing, and Q&A) | ||
April 21, 2022
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Turning Empathy into Action: Collective Impact Design and Management (Part I)
| Animal Welfare Taskforce Learnings and Impact
in Year 1
| Zoom Breakout Groups
|
May 26, 2022 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Turning Empathy into Action:
Collective Impact Design and Management (Part II)
| Arts & Culture
| Outdoor Social
Museum of Ventura County
|
June 23, 2022
Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Donor Peer Network: Year 1 in Review (Facilitated Discussion and Feedback) |
Quarterly Workshops
Available to all VCCF Donor-Clients
Target Audience | Quarter 1 | Quarter 2 | Quarter 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Emerging Philanthropists & New Staff
| Fundamentals of Grantmaking:
Nonprofit Financial Analysis
| Fundamentals of Grantmaking: Philanthropic Strategies | Fundamentals of Grantmaking: Non-Grant Strategies |
Experienced Philanthropists & Staff
| Public/Private partnerships to support Ventura County priorities | New philanthropic vehicles: PRIs, Impact Investing, SIBs, Prizes
| Redesigning the rules of the NP Sector to maximize social change
|
Foundation Trustees and Family Philanthropy
| Governance Best Practices
| Engaging the Next Gen | Succession Planning
|
Next Gen
(Ages 17 – 35)
| Technology & Social Media to Drive Impact
| Not Your Parent’s Philanthropy
| Next Gens Making A Difference
|
Wealth Advisors and VCCF Donor Clients
(Need to offer Continuing Education Credit)
| Pillars of Purposeful Philanthropy
| Power of Purpose and Creating Meaning through Charitable Trusts, Donor Advised Funds, and Family Foundations
| Planning for Impact in the Context of Family Wealth
|
All | A Call to Action:
The Transfer of Wealth in Ventura County and Growing Philanthropy to Create Lasting Impact
| State of the Ventura County Community Foundation
| Ventura County Civic Alliance State of the Region Report
|
Virtual Lunch & Learns
VCCF Donors, Board Members, Nonprofit Community
Proposed Date/Time | Nonprofit Highlights/ Issue Area | VCCF Update/ Breakout Group | Meeting Materials |
|---|---|---|---|
April 22, 2021
Noon – 1 p.m.
| Women’s Economic Venture
| COVID-19 Response Update
| View Slides |
May 6, 2021
Noon – 1 p.m.
| Disaster Preparedness
(Presentation with Red Cross)
| VCCF Scholarship Season Update/ Vaccine Outreach Update
| View Recording |
June 10, 2021
Noon – 1 p.m.
| Ventura County Botanic Gardens and
Los Padres Forestwatch
| VCCF Environmental Listening Tour Results
| N/A |
July 15, 2021
Noon – 1 p.m.
| Vaccination Rates, Outreach, and Strategy
| Complete Reach Committee (Reactivating the Complete Count Committee for Vaccine Outreach) | N/A |
August 19, 2021 Noon – 1 p.m.
| VCCF Scholarship Program
| Update on Funders Forum
| N/A |
September 9, 2021
Noon – 1 p.m.
| Family Justice Center and Housing Pilot Program Update
| Next steps for Housing Pilot Program
| N/A |