Sample Donor Intent Letter
Dear: This year, as I thought about holiday gifts, I realized that time has been racing instead of marching on, and that every one of you has passed the toy store stage. As I tossed toy catalogue after toy catalogue into the wastepaper basket, three thoughts came to my mind. First, I realized that finding the right gift for each one of you is becoming more and more of a challenge. Second, I realized that I could no longer think of you as little children. One by one, you were entering high school, graduating, going to college, and turning into adults. As the family got together at our last foundation meeting, we gave some serious thought to the future of the XYZ Foundation. What would the Foundation be like ten years from now, 20 years or 50 years? Would the Foundation always be an early childhood Foundation committed to children and families? What would we like to see happen when members of the next generation become the Foundation’s governing board? By the end of the Foundation meeting we had agreed that the Foundation should maintain its mission, but how that mission would be carried out would be up to its current trustees. We also agreed that I should write you a letter, describing the history of the Foundation and sharing my dreams for its future and for yours. At the risk of losing the attention of the non-history buffs among you, let me begin by sharing some history. Your great grandfather, Name and his brother, Name, were active and dedicated philanthropists. Together they built up the XYZ Foundation, which made large grants to programs and institutions that they were both committed to. These included the XYZ Child Development Center and the ___ School at the University of ________, the student building at ____ University, a research building at ____ Hospital, the ______ Building at ______ University and a scholarship program at _______ University. In their later years the brothers split the Foundation so that their respective families could pursue their own philanthropic interests. Your great grandfather died in 1980. Shortly before his death, he sat me down for one of his rare heart-to heart talks. “I have been doing some thinking,” he told me. “As you know I have been successful over the years in building up some assets. I could either put these monies in a special trust for you or I could put these monies in the XYZ Foundation and leave the Foundation to you. It’s your choice.” “The Foundation,” I answered without hesitation. “I knew that,” he told me, “and I have already made the arrangements. The Foundation is my gift to you.” I have never forgotten that talk with my Dad and have never regretted my decision. The Foundation has not only been important in my life but it has played an important part in the lives of our whole family. The Foundation has been a wonderful excuse for family get-togethers, but it has been much more than that. It has given our family a common purpose, and has enabled us to appreciate each other as we work together to support its mission. Every time we meet, I marvel at how each one of your parents makes a unique contribution. Name has been the pace-setter and the visionary, Name the wit and the genius who never loses sight of the big picture, Name the realist, with the uncanny talent of zeroing in on the critical points, and Name, our pilot, who steers us through rough waters and keeps our ship on course.
Since its beginning the Foundation has continued to grow both in assets and in impact. Early on we made the decision to focus our grant giving on early childhood, where the family had considerable expertise and where we felt we could make wise choices. A second important decision was to partner with our grantees so that every grant we make becomes a learning experience. A third decision we made was an absolute stroke of genius. We invited Name to be our Executive Director. Name knew the foundation world and its funders and was steeped in early childhood. He/She introduced us to leading early childhood experts who became our favorite grantees. He/She raised our sights so that we could move from a mission-driven philanthropy to strategic grant making. Over the years, through Name guidance and the hard work of every one of our trustees, the Foundation has become a leader in the early childhood arena. Other foundations ask our advice about their funding decisions and grant seekers ask for our support even if it is only a token, because a XYZ Foundation grant is an endorsement that enables them to receive grants from other funders. The other day Name asked me an interesting question. “I know that you want the foundation to be responsive to emerging needs and changing times” he/she began, “but if you could select three policies that you would like us to abide by through the years, what would those policies be?” I have been mulling the question over in my mind and have finally come up with an answer. First, I would like the Foundation to maintain its focus on early childhood. Not only do I believe that the experiences a child has in the early years have a life-long impact, but I am convinced that the Foundation is looked upon as a leader in early childhood and this gives me added value to every grant we make. Second, I would like to maintain our policy of welcoming grantees as partners. We must never forget that grantees enable us to do our mission and deserve our respect and our thanks. Third, and very important to me, I would like us to remain a family foundation, inviting family members who have a sustained interest in the Foundation’s mission to serve on its board. The Foundation was the legacy your great grandfather gave me just before he died. I am hopeful that at least some of you will choose to accept this legacy. I have talked so far in a long-winded way about the history of the Foundation and my hopes for its future. Indulge me a little longer while I share my dreams. You have all had a great beginning, with loving parents who are convinced that you are the finest kids on the earth. The great beginning is already paying dividends. Each one of you has demonstrated your capacity to care about family and friends, your unselfish generosity and your recognition that special privilege is linked with special responsibility. I dream that some day all children from every walk of life will be in families with this same capacity to love and care for their children and that all children will share the virtues that make each of you so special. I have one more dream I would like to share. Have you ever wondered why I am so fond of camels? After all, camels are always accused of being put together by a committee. But camels are also quite remarkable. A camel can survive for days in the desert with only the water that is stored in its humps. I dream that each one of you, like the camel, will have the inner resources to pursue the goals you have chosen for yourself, overcoming any obstacles that might obstruct your path.