Attracting Donor Dollars During the Season of Giving

Rebecca Ely

In this season of giving, the importance of philanthropy cannot be overstated. Many donors put as much energy into choosing the perfect gift for loved ones, as deciding where to invest their philanthropic dollars. Philanthropy can have a transformative role in creating a just and more equitable community.

Philanthropy, for example, plays a transformative role in the realm of affordable housing and supportive services. The scarcity of affordable housing is a pressing issue that affects communities worldwide, contributing to homelessness, inequality, and the erosion of social cohesion. Philanthropists who champion affordable housing initiatives are not just addressing a basic human need. They are laying the foundation for vibrant, inclusive communities.

READ ALSO: Tackling San Francisco’s Affordability Crisis

Affordable housing philanthropy addresses the interconnected nature of social issues. Stable housing is a cornerstone for improved health, education, and economic opportunities. When individuals have a secure place to call home, they are better positioned to access healthcare, pursue education, and contribute meaningfully to the workforce. In this way, philanthropy aimed at affordable housing becomes a catalyst for comprehensive community development.

Affordable housing communities that provide onsite resident services ensure residents are stably housed. Once stably housed, residents can pursue goals such as improving their health, pursuing further education for themselves and their children, and expanding their economic opportunities.

Advancement in these areas is made possible through Resident Service Coordinators that arrange onsite health screenings, nutrition education classes, walking programs, after school and summer camps for youth, saving clubs, financial education programs, and support in connecting with other resources.

As providers of supportive affordable housing, our challenge is to demonstrate the importance of resident services being offered alongside affordable housing. Philanthropic support can elevate resident services to an even greater level. Three ways you can communicate impact to donors is by sharing resident stories, measuring the scale and scope of your work, and inviting the community in through volunteer opportunities.

Sharing resident stories

Each resident within an affordable housing community has their own story and vision for their future. Mr. Hughes, an NHPF resident, lost his job in early fall. The Operation Pathways Resident Services Coordinator worked closely with Mr. Hughes as he navigated unemployment and looking for a new job. Within six weeks, Mr. Hughes shared he’d accepted a new job opportunity. He exuded pride and gratitude, thanking the RSC for walking with him through the whole process. He had come to see her the day he lost his previous job and almost every day during his unemployment. In his words, “she made me believe in myself, and I am so grateful for her”.

Measuring scale and scope 

The NHP Foundation and Operation Pathways are members of SAHF, a national collaborative of 12 nonprofit affordable housing developers. There is an opportunity to communicate the impact of our work individually but also in the collective. SAHF’s report from 2021 shows the impact of all member organizations. These 12 organizations provide over 149,800 units of affordable housing across 1,948 properties and supportive services for over 234,000 residents across the country.

Volunteers

One of the best ways for donors to understand the importance of resident services in affordable housing communities is to become a part of the community. There are so many wonderful ways donors can become part of the community including volunteering at back to school or holiday events, becoming pen pals for older adults, sharing a trade or craft, or serving on your board of directors.

In sharing the impact of your organization with the broader philanthropic community, you not only offer donors the opportunity make a transformative impact on the communities we serve but in their own lives. Everyone wants to be a part of something larger than themselves and philanthropy makes that possible. Donors supporting resident services will fund individualized, resident-centered programming that residents can use to create new opportunities for themselves and their families.

Rebecca Ely, director of Resource Development, Operation Pathways, a subsidiary of NHPF.