philanthropic team building case study

404 Not found

Charity Team Building

Back to  All Team Building Events .

Our Charity Events Make a Difference!

In addition, our CSR programs have provided millions of dollars in  charity donations to families and children in need . After devastating weather events via various food banks and churches have limited supplies. After a fire or domestic disturbance, children will often lose everything. Some children lack the proper school supplies to start the new school year off on the right foot. Finally, let’s not forget about our soldiers overseas who long for the comforts of home.

Local charity team building activities are a great way to fulfill these needs . Your team members can donate bicycles to kids in your local community. Or, they can donate non-perishable food items to homeless shelters. Alternatively, you can choose to donate teddy bears to kids with a life-threatening disease or who have experienced trauma. If you are on a budget, why not donate backpacks to kids in local schools or care packages to soldiers overseas?

These corporate charity events can improve the lives of people in need. Your team can feel good about the part they played. They will also feel proud to be a part of a company that supports their community!

Charity Team Building Activity and Corporate Social Responsibility CSR Programs

Add  fun charity team-building activities  to your next conference or virtual meeting. Corporate Charity Events Increase CSR & Build Teamwork without the team work. We invented  philanthropic team-building activities  when we delivered the first  Build-A-Bike ® team-building event  in 2005. The Leaders Institute has been at the forefront of the genre ever since.

Corporate charity events are still the most popular philanthropic activity and have made a huge impact on  corporate social responsibility  (CSR). These fun challenges combine (1) an energetic and fun activity, (2) a shared experience that builds teamwork, and (3) a positive impact for the charity of your choice. Everyone wins!

* Choose from either a  Virtual Team Building Event  or an In-Person Team Building Workshop. 

A List of All of Our Charity Team Building Events and Philanthropic Activities.

Fun Team Activities Where a Charitable Donation Can be Added.

These team-building programs make a real difference for a worthy cause. You can build team spirit for corporate groups, move toward a common goal, and make a positive difference without ever leaving the conference room. The entire event is full of positive energy, so your exit surveys will rock as well! (You will see the words “Great Event!” and “Good cause!” a lot.)

Want Help Picking the Right Charity Challenge for Your Winning Team? Our Team Can Help You Organize a Great Corporate Charity Event?

Answer the questions below to help us give you a more accurate team building price quote..

• All Programs
• Top Activities
• Scavenger Hunts
• Indoor Team Building
• Outdoor Team Building
• Charity & Philanthropic
• Budget Activities
• Training & Development
• Coaching & Consulting
• Downloadable Resources
• Helpful Links
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Why Choose Us
• Corporate Groups
• DMC & Event Planners
• Hotel & Resorts
• School & Universities
• Charities & Non profits
• Meet Our Team
• Join Our Team

Outback Team Building & Training Blog

Tips, expert advice, exclusive interviews, and more on team building and employee engagement, 10 team building case studies & training case studies.

The key to a strong business is creating a close-knit team. Here's how 15 corporate teams did so using team building, training, and coaching solutions.

From corporate groups to remote employees and everything in between, the key to a strong business is creating a close-knit team. In this comprehensive case study, we look at how real-world organizations benefited from team building, training, and coaching programs tailored to their exact needs.  

We’re big believers in the benefits of   team building ,   training and development , and   coaching and consulting   programs. That’s why our passion for helping teams achieve their goals is at the core of everything we do. At Outback Team Building and Training,   our brand promis e   is   to be   recommended , flexible,   and   fast.   Because we understand that when it comes to building a stronger and more close-knit team, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Each of our customers have a unique set of challenges, goals, and definitions of success.   And they look to us to support them in three key ways:   making their lives easy by taking on the complexities of organizing a team building or training event; acting fast so that they can get their event planned and refocus on all the other tasks they have on their plates; and giving them the confidence that they’ll get an event their team will benefit from – and enjoy.   In this definitive case study, we’ll do a deep dive into:  

• 3  Unique Events Custom-Tailored for Customer Needs  
• 3 Momentum-Driving Events for Legacy Customers  
• 4 Successful Activities Executed on Extremely Tight Timelines

Unique Events Custom-Tailored for Customer Needs   We know that every team has different needs and goals which is why we   are adept at being flexible and   have mastered the craft of creating custom events for any specifications    

When the   Seattle, Washington -based head office of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – a world-renowned philanthropic organization – approached us in search of a unique charity event, we knew we needed to deliver something epic. Understanding that their team   h ad effectively   done it all   when it comes to charity events, it was important for them to be able to get together as a team and give back   in new ways .  

Our team  decided the best way to do this was to   creat e   a brand-new event for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation   which had never been executed before.   We created an entirely new charitable event –   Bookworm Builders   – for them   and their team loved it! It allowed them to give back to their community, collaborate, get creative, and work together for a common goal. Bookworm Builders has since gone on to become a staple activity for tons of other Outback Team Building and Training customers!    

To learn more about how it all came together, read the case study:   A Custom Charity Event for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation .  

Who said hosting   an   impactful training program   means having your full team in the same place at the same time? Principia refused to let distance prevent them from having a great team, so they contacted us to help them find a solution. Their goals were to find better ways of working together and to create a closer-knit company culture among their 20 employees and contractors living in various parts of the country.   

We worked with Principia to host an   Emotional Intelligence   skill development training event   customized to work perfectly for their remote team. The result was a massive positive impact for the company. They found they experienced improved employee alignment with a focus on company culture, as well as more emotionally aware and positive day-to-day interactions. In fact, the team made a 100% unanimous decision to bring back Outback for additional training sessions.  

To learn more about this unique situation, read the full case study:   How Principia Built a Stronger Company Culture Even with its Remote Employees Working Hundreds of Miles Apart .  

W e know that employee training which is   tailored to   your organization can make the difference between an effective program and a waste of company time. That’s why our team jumped at the opportunity to facilitate a series of custom development sessions to help the Royal Canadian Mint discover the tools they needed to manage a large change within their organization.   

We hosted three custom sessions to help the organization recognize the changes that needed to be made, gain the necessary skills to effectively manage the change, and define a strategy to implement the change:   

• Session One:   The first session was held in November and focused on preparing over 65 employees for change within the company.  
• Session Two:   In December, the Mint’s leadership team participated in a program that provided the skills and mindset required to lead employees through change.  
• Session Three:   The final session in February provided another group of 65 employees with guidance on how to implement the change.  

To learn more, read the full case study:   Custom Change Management Program for the Royal Canadian Mint .  

3 Momentum-Driving Events for Legacy Customers We take pride in being recommended by   more than 14,000 corporate groups   because it means that we’ve earned their trust through delivering impactful results  

1. How a Satellite Employee “Garnered the Reputation” as Her Team’s Pro Event Planner  

We’ve been in this business for a long time, and we know that not everybody who’s planning a corporate event is a professional event planner. But no   matter   if   it’s their first time planning an event or their tenth, we   love   to help make our customers look good in front of their team. And when an employee at Satellite Healthcare was tasked with planning a team building event for 15 of her colleagues, she reached out to us – and we set out to do just that!  

Our customer needed a collaborative activity that would help a diverse group of participants get to know each other, take her little to no time to plan, and would resonate with the entire group.  

With that in mind, we helped her facilitate a   Military Support Mission . The event was a huge success and her colleagues loved it. In fact, she has now garnered the reputation as the team member who knows how to put together an awesome team building event.  

To learn more, read the case study here:   How a Satellite Employee “Garnered the Reputation” as Her Team’s Pro Event Planner .  

2. Why   PlentyOfFish   Continues to Choose ‘The Amazing Race’ for Their Company Retreat  

In 2013, international dating service POF (formerly known as   PlentyOfFish ) reached out to us in search of an exciting outdoor team building activity that they could easily put to work at their annual retreat in   Whistler, B.C . An innovative and creative company, they were in search of an activity that could help their 60 staff get to know each other better. They also wanted the event to be hosted so that they could sit back and enjoy the fun.  

The solution? We helped them host their first-ever   Amazing Race   team building event.  

Our event was so successful that POF has now hosted The Amazing Race at their annual retreat for   five consecutive years .  

To learn more, check out our full case study:   Why PlentyOfFish Continues to Choose ‘The Amazing Race’ for Their Company Retreat .  

3. How Team Building Helped Microsoft Employees Donate a Truckload of Food  

As one of our longest-standing and most frequent collaborators, we know that Microsoft is always in search of new and innovative ways to bring their teams closer together. With a well-known reputation for being avid advocates of corporate social responsibility, Microsoft challenged us with putting together a charitable team building activity that would help their team bond outside the office and would be equal parts fun, interactive, and philanthropic.   

We   analyzed which of   our six charitable team building activities   would be the best fit for their needs , and we landed on the perfect one :   End-Hunger Games . In this event, the Microsoft team broke out into small groups, tackled challenges like relay races and target practice, and earned points in the form of non-perishable food items. Then, they used their cans and boxes of food to try and build the most impressive structure possible in a final, collaborative contest. As a result, they were able to donate a truckload of goods to the local food bank.  

For more details, check out the comprehensive case study:   How Team Building Helped Microsoft Employees Donate a Truckload of Food .  

4 Successful Activities Executed on Extremely Tight Timelines Time isn’t always a luxury that’s available to our customers when it comes to plan ning   a great team activity which is why we make sure we   are fast, agile, and   can accommodate any timeline 

Nothing dampens your enjoyment of a holiday more than having to worry about work – even if it’s something fun like a team building event. But for one T-Mobile employee, this was shaping up to be the case. That’s because , on the day before the holiday weekend,   she found out that she needed to organize a last-minute activity for the day after July Fourth.    

So, she reached out to Outback Team Building and Training to see if there was anything we could do to   help   - in less than three business days . We were happy to be able to help offer her some peace of mind over her holiday weekend by recommending a quick and easy solution: a   Code Break   team building activity. It was ready to go in less than three days, the activity organized was stress-free during her Fourth of July weekend, and, most importantly, all employees had a great experience.   

For more details, check out the full story here:   Finding a Last-Minute Activity Over a Holiday .  

At Outback Team Building and Training, we know our customers don’t always have time on their side when it comes to planning and executing an event. Sometimes, they need answers right away so they can get to work on creating an unforgettable experience for their colleagues.  

This was exactly the case when Black & McDonald approached us about a learning and development session that would meet the needs of their unique group, and not take too much time to plan. At 10:20 a.m., the organization reached out with an online inquiry. By 10:50 a.m., they had   been connected with   one of our training facilitators for a more in-depth conversation regarding their objectives.  

Three weeks later, a group of 14   Toronto, Ontario -based Black & McDonald employees took part in a half-day tailor-made training program that was built around the objectives of the group, including topics such as emotional intelligence and influence, communication styles, and the value of vulnerability in a leader.  

To learn more about how this event was able to come together so quickly, check out the full story:   From Inquiry to Custom Call in Under 30 Minutes .  

When Conexus Credit Union contacted us on a Friday afternoon asking if we could facilitate a team building event for six employees the following Monday morning, we said, “Absolutely!”   

The team at Conexus Credit Union were looking for an activity that would get the group’s mind going and promote collaboration between colleagues. And we knew just what to recommend:   Code Break Express   – an activity filled with brainteasers, puzzles, and riddles designed to test the group’s mental strength.   

The Express version of Code Break was ideal for Conexus Credit Union’s shorter time frame because our Express activities have fewer challenges and can be completed in an hour or less. They’re   self-hosted,   so the company’s group organizer was able to easily and efficiently run the activity on their own.  

To learn more about how we were able to come together and make this awesome event happen,   take a look   at our case study:   A Perfect Group Activity Organized in One Business Day .  

We’ve been lucky enough to work with Accenture – a company which has appeared on FORTUNE’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies” for 14 years in a row – on   a number of   team building activities in the past.   

T he organization approached us with a request to facilitate a philanthropic team building activity for 15 employees .   The hitch? They needed the event to be planned, organized, and executed within one week.   

Staying true to our brand promise of being fast to act on behalf of our customers, our team got to work   planning Accenture’s event . We immediately put to work the experience of our   Employee Engagement Consultants ,   the flexibility of our solutions, and the organization of our event coordinators.   And six days later, Accenture’s group was hard at work on a   Charity Bike Buildathon , building bikes for kids in need.  

To learn more about how we helped Accenture do some good in a short amount of time, read the full case study:   Delivering Team Building for Charity in Under One Week .  

Learn More About Team Building, Training and Development, and Coaching and Consulting Solutions 

For more information about how Outback Team Building and Training can help you host unforgettable team activities to meet your specific goals and needs on virtually any time frame and budget, just reach out to our Employee Engagement Consultants.   

Subscribe to Our Blog

• Team Building (104)
• Employee Engagement (42)
• Training & Development (29)
• Case Studies (23)
• Podcast (23)
• Online Guides (22)
• Leadership Training (21)
• Charity Team Building (17)
• Employee Training (13)
• Team Consulting (12)
• Featured Events (11)
• Core Values (8)
• Experiential Learning (8)
• Team Coaching (8)
• Meetings (7)
• Outback Team Building & Training (7)
• D.I.S.C. (6)
• HR Resources (6)
• Company Retreats (5)
• Meet the Team (4)
• Charity Event (3)
• Recruitment (3)
• Indoor Team Building (2)
• event planning (2)
• "Outdoor Team Building" (1)
• Icebreakers (1)
• Outback Cares (1)
• Ropes Courses (1)
• March 2020 (3)
• February 2020 (9)
• January 2020 (10)
• December 2019 (5)
• November 2019 (7)
• October 2019 (9)
• September 2019 (5)
• August 2019 (3)
• July 2019 (11)
• June 2019 (6)
• May 2019 (10)
• April 2019 (4)
• March 2019 (4)
• February 2019 (5)
• January 2019 (7)
• December 2018 (5)
• November 2018 (10)
• October 2018 (6)
• September 2018 (6)
• August 2018 (6)
• July 2018 (7)
• June 2018 (6)
• May 2018 (7)
• April 2018 (3)
• March 2018 (2)
• February 2018 (2)
• January 2018 (5)
• November 2017 (2)
• October 2017 (5)
• September 2017 (3)
• August 2017 (6)
• July 2017 (4)
• June 2017 (5)
• May 2017 (3)
• April 2017 (4)
• March 2017 (2)
• February 2017 (2)
• January 2017 (5)
• December 2016 (1)
• November 2016 (1)
• September 2016 (3)
• August 2016 (2)
• July 2016 (1)
• June 2016 (1)
• May 2016 (2)
• April 2016 (1)
• March 2016 (4)
• January 2016 (2)
• November 2015 (2)
• October 2015 (1)
• September 2015 (1)
• August 2015 (1)
• More Team Building
• More Training & Development
• More Coaching & Consulting

Latest News

Additional links.

• Team Building In Your City
• Reasons to Choose Us
• Site Selector: USA | Canada

Proud Members of

© 2018 Outback Team Building & Training, All Rights Reserved. | Site Map | Privacy Policy

• Fundraisers
• Individuals and Family Trusts
• Corporations
• Our Philosophy
• Why Global Philanthropic
• Our Partnerships
• Foundation Services – Asia
• Philanthropic Naming Assessment
• Philanthropic Giving
• Corporate Giving
• Creative Strategy
• Convening Possibilities
• Orchestrating Change
• 9 Mindsets for the Right Outcomes
• Talking Philanthropy
• News / Blog
• Connect with us
• Clients & Case Studies

Please choose your region

Asia Pacific EMEA, North America and International

Case studies and testimonials .

We pride ourselves on being highly recommended by our clients, most of them long-standing., see what clients have said about us:.

• Arts, Culture & Heritage
• Community Services
• Environment, Conservation & Animal Welfare
• Healthcare & Medical
• Humanitarian Aid

Canberra Hospital Foundation

“Canberra Hospital Foundation (CHF) commissioned Global Philanthropic to provide a comparative analysis of fundraising performance for a representative selection of health-related foundations across Australia.

This benchmarking study was commissioned to highlight the comparison between an active and passive fundraising program with the aim to inform and demonstrate the potential to increase philanthropic revenue by introducing an active fundraising program.  

Global Philanthropic delivered a comprehensive report, providing evidence from a broad range of health-care foundations. The comparative study paid particular attention to staff resourcing, size of hospital, and similar demographics to our hospital. The results provided invaluable information:  

• Enabling us to assess our own current performance
• Providing insights into the necessary resourcing for a successful program
• For assessing our potential for implementing an active fundraising program
• Highlighting the contrast between an active and passive fundraising program
• Providing, through analyses and findings, a detailed representation of the data examined, with recommendations for CHF in going forward
• Provided comprehensive information with implementation advice
• Advising on staff structure and mix of fundraising activity

The benchmarking study provided evidence that informed the decision for CHF moving forward to launch a new entity; helped determine our staff structure and identify the mix of fundraising activity as well as setting realistic goals and expectations for our new fundraising endeavours.

We worked closely with Chanel Hughes and Nick Jaffer whose undeniable expertise and willingness to help supported us through the early discussions and throughout the entire process with valuable follow up and support across budget restrictions. The experience was one of learning with extremely valuable and beneficial results, one we can recommend wholeheartedly.”

Helen Falla, CEO 

https://www.canberrahospitalfoundation.org.au/

Having had the privilege of collaborating closely with Global Philanthropic, I can confidently attest to their exceptional dedication, professionalism, and impact in the field of philanthropy.

What sets Global Philanthropic apart is their unique ability to combine strategic thinking with practical solutions. They possess a remarkable capacity to identify innovative funding opportunities and develop tailored strategies to maximize the impact of philanthropic investments. Their collaborative approach, which engages stakeholders at all levels, fosters partnerships that are rooted in trust and a shared commitment to creating positive change.

I engaged Global Philanthropic on a specific project to assess the viability of a fundraising campaign in China through a Feasibility Study. However, we have continued to collaborate and I consider Global Philanthropic a valuable current and future partner.

Mark Ruffo Chief Development Officer Landesa

https://www.landesa.org/

The University of Manchester

“The University of Manchester was looking to conduct a feasibility study for its first comprehensive campaign. We were seeking a partnership that would deliver rigorous analysis, but also to challenge us to think differently. In a time of uncertainty and change, Global Philanthropic provided us with the confidence to be ambitious in our thinking and our approach. It has been a joy working with the Global Philanthropic team – they are client focused, authentic in their approach and bring original insight to the table.”

Dale Cooper, Acting Director of Development, University of Manchester 

“Global Philanthropic temporarily supported us with senior level fundraising counsel.  Their insights were shrewd. Their hands-on approach helped lead our fundraising team to improvement.  They helped us organise our data and donor information and provided guidance on writing excellent proposals as well as overall best practice.”

Helen Bull, Chief Operating Officer

https://www.birdlife.org/

Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI)

“The Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) has been on a journey of embedding philanthropy into the portfolio and culture of the institute, with Global Philanthropic by our side. The team ensured they deeply understood AMSI before they developed a clear, sophisticated philanthropic strategy and our living document—AMSI’s Case for Support. They have provided mentoring, coaching and training to our entire team, ensuring a culture of philanthropy throughout the organisation. Their professionalism, commitment, generosity, warmth, leadership and expertise have greatly benefitted AMSI, with philanthropy now strategically embedded and the institute prepared and ready to partner with the philanthropic community.”

Lisa Farrar, Chief Operating Officer

https://amsi.org.au/

Australia Council for the Arts

“Australia Council for the Arts was seeking a review of its co-investment strategy and opportunities for refinement. We were interested in a partnership that provided a strong strategic analysis of philanthropy and co-investment in an international context, along with a firm grounding in the realities of working in an Australian setting.

“Nick and Sarah were thoughtful, conscientious and authentic in their approach to working with staff, stakeholders, partners and donors alike.

“Working with Global Philanthropic was a smooth and impactful process. We would not hesitate in recommending their work to other agencies and organisations interested in understanding the opportunities and challenges ahead for philanthropy, partnerships and donor development.”

Jade Lillie, Head of Industry Development 

https://australiacouncil.gov.au/

Lifeline Australia

“Lifeline Australia appointed Global Philanthropic to develop and articulate the organisation’s Case for Support. Chanel Hughes has created a document that has a powerful and compelling 3-D element, which is incredibly successful in eliciting an emotional response from our potential donors. The Case clearly articulates Lifeline’s mission, vision, and the value of the impact made possible by the generosity of our donors. Both emotional and rational, the Case includes the impact in personal testimonies and individual anecdotes, as well as a comprehensive suite of statistical data.

The Case successfully positions Lifeline and its strengths within the Australian community, as we strive to achieve our vision of a suicide free Australia. Thanks so much, Chanel and Global Philanthropic, for a Case for Support that will be of enduring value to the organisation.”

Sharon Dove, former Philanthropy Manager

“The document was fantastic. It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen come out of Lifeline Australia. I’d been putting it off because one of my daughters suffers from anxiety and I’ve been dealing with it, but it was a totally different experience than I expected. It was exciting and beautifully written. The words were very powerful!”

Participant in Global Philanthropic’s Market Research Study for Lifeline Australia 

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Brisbane Grammar School

“At the time of deciding who to partner with for our Campaign Study, we chose Nick Jaffer because, having talked with and worked with him on various projects, it was clear he had a deep understanding of campaign development and management and what needed to be put in place to achieve campaign objectives.  It was wonderful working with Nick, and his work was outstanding. He is very thorough, has high attention to detail and is wonderful with people. He has the ability to get along with different people at all levels in the organisation—from advancement staff through to board members. He became part of the fabric of the institution during our feasibility study and all our alumni and staff who met him spoke very highly of him.

The Study findings were very well received. The report provided greater understanding around what is required to execute a major campaign among the executive leadership team and board of trustees. The report also informed the board what quantum of funds may be achievable and where the interest to support such a campaign existed. The School is currently progressing with feasibility recommendations to achieve the recommended fundraising objectives.”

Heather Hamilton, former Executive Director, Advancement & Community Relations for Brisbane Grammar School, now Executive Director, CASE Asia Pacific 

https://www.brisbanegrammar.com/

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO)

“Working with Global Philanthropic has helped our organisation to better understand its potential in the philanthropic market as well as to identify the key decisions we need to make and the options available to us. I’ve learned a great deal working with Colin Taylor and thoroughly enjoyed the experience as well—he’s been engaging, responsive and knowledgeable. Thanks to Colin and the team for being wonderful partners as we undertook this work.”

David Boyd, Senior Manager, Engagement & Impact 

https://www.edresearch.edu.au/

Stuartholme School

“Multiple trusted industry peers recommended Nick Jaffer at Global Philanthropic to help me establish a philanthropy program at our school. I engaged Global Philanthropic to deliver an Executive Coaching Program for our Leadership Team and Board, and to help me fine-tune a comprehensive Engagement and Philanthropy Strategy with an accompanying 10-year road map.

Nick did an amazing job of delivering highly engaging leadership training under extraordinary COVID lockdown circumstances. He introduced the principles of philanthropy in a clear and logical way, supported by robust evidence and relevant examples. He demystified fundraising, dispelled misconceptions and energised our key internal stakeholders to actively support our strategy and road map.

He was also a great sounding board to review our internal research findings, fine-tune recommendations and to develop well-articulated business cases. I wouldn’t hesitate in engaging Global Philanthropic again—they definitely live up to their well-earned reputation.”

Stephanie Baldwin, former Director of Community & Philanthropy  

https://stuartholme.com/

Performing Room

“I’d like to thank the entire Global Philanthropic team for all their hard work and specialist advice. I have loved working with them during challenging times and have learned so much about fundraising and so many other things that I would not have otherwise. I have also met some wonderful people with their help that have inspired and motivated me along the way.

It’s been a real blessing to work alongside such an amazing team who passionately enable charities like Performing Room to positively impact the lives of those who would otherwise not have the opportunity to forge their own identities, realise their potential and make this world a better place for us all to live in and thrive.”

Janan Fifield,  Founder and Director

https://www.performingroom.org/

ClientEarth

“ClientEarth worked with Global Philanthropic on a feasibility study, exploring the various geographies in which we could launch a philanthropy programme. They took the time to understand our brief, the specific needs of the organisation, and our existing relationships in Asia. This was a project that engaged multiple people across ClientEarth, from programme teams to Trustees. Everyone who engaged with the Global Philanthropic team was incredibly impressed with their knowledge, professionalism, and interest in ClientEarth’s work, and their recommendations on what would work for our very specific needs.

Their final report has been invaluable and opened us up to a new way of thinking about how we approach philanthropy across Asia. The follow-up calls and communication have been excellent and their friendly and open approach has made them a delight to work with.”

Emily Thomas, Associate Director, Philanthropy and Events

https://www.clientearth.org/

Paisley Museum & Art Galleries (Scotland, UK)

“ I had been in dialogue with a funder for over a year. Using some of Nick’s tips and techniques from the masterclass helped me to secure a major gift. I then used this experience at interview, which helped me to secure the Fundraising Manager post for the exciting £42M capital campaign for Paisley Museum Reimagined . It’s as if it was all meant to be, so thank you! ”

Andy Robin, Fundraising Manager

https://reimagined.paisleymuseum.org/

Parramatta Catholic Foundation, Catholic Diocese of Parramatta

“Chanel played an instrumental role in forming the copy required for our inaugural Diocesan bequest program. The content was evidently thoughtful and considered, and took special account of our broader Diocesan strategy and values—faith, hope and charity. I would like to thank Chanel for her carefully crafted work. This important work will have abundant fruits in our Diocese for generations to come.”

Michael Mendieta, former Director 

https://parracatholic.org/

St Vincent's College Foundation

“Global Philanthropic recently conducted an in-depth review of fundraising capabilities on behalf of the College Foundation, then prepared a comprehensive Development Strategy based on their findings, expert knowledge and experience in this area. The team have been wonderful to deal with–understanding, consultative, and very inclusive throughout our project. I have felt we are in very good hands every step of the way.”

Melissa Webber, Chair

https://www.stvincents.nsw.edu.au/

The Canberra Hospital Foundation

The Canberra Hospital Foundation supports the vital work of public hospitals in Canberra, Australia. It helps raise funds for new and innovative medical technology and equipment, disease research, refurbishments for patient comfort, and programmes like dog and music therapy.

The Foundation was originally established as part of government—an administrative arm of ACT Health. This meant they were precluded from holding a Charitable Collections Licence and engaging in any active fundraising.

“That greatly limited our ability to raise funds. We had to rely on donors to come to us; we were in passive mode,” says Helen Falla, CEO of the Canberra Hospital Foundation.

Against these odds, the Foundation was still attracting a lot of positive, unsolicited support from the community, Hospital patients and their families wanted to give back, and loyal businesses chose to contribute by running third-party fundraising events each year. But to reach their full fundraising potential, the Foundation knew they had to operate differently.

“To be able to better support the hospital and community centres in the public space we needed to move to an independent entity and be registered as a charity,” says Helen.

“We needed to prove [to ACT Health] that there would be significantly more opportunity that we could leverage if we had a strategic fundraising program in place.”

The Canberra Hospital Foundation sought Global Philanthropic’s expertise in research and fundraising strategy to inform the case for moving to an independent entity. The Foundation needed evidence that the move would be viable and, if it was, how it could be implemented for the best efficiency and effectiveness.

Global Philanthropic worked closely with Helen and her team, as well as the Board, to undertake:

•   A benchmarking study—research and analysis of the Foundation’s current resourcing and philanthropic revenue against peers over a three-year period.
•   Workshops to develop the Foundation’s strategic fundraising plan and their Case for Support to ACT Health.
•   Review and development of their draft strategic fundraising plan.

“Global did meticulous research with invaluable information that provided a clear guide on how to move forward,” says Helen.

“Their strength was in the quality of their research, the way they communicated with us, their innate knowledge of philanthropy and how to tease out what it was that we needed.”

“They spent an awful lot of time listening to us, gaining a full understanding about who we were, what our identity was, and what we already meant to the community. I think that was really important.”

The evidence and analysis provided by Global enabled the Canberra Hospital Foundation to successfully pitch their case for change to ACT Health. The new entity, a registered charity, launched in February 2020.

The devastating summer bushfires and the impact of COVID-19 could have easily derailed their 2020 marketing and fundraising plans. But, as Helen notes, the groundwork they did with Global held them in “good stead” to meet these challenges head-on and quickly adapt to the rapidly changing donor landscape.

“We’re doing well in a difficult situation. The invaluable information, especially around staff structure, that Global provided to us to create a cohesive team, really shone through,” she says.

Since relaunching, the Canberra Hospital Foundation has been able to engage directly with their passionate supporter network for the first time. They’ve run a successful tax appeal, as well as a campaign to facilitate giving between the community and healthcare workers during COVID-19. They’re preparing for their first Giving Day in November 2020.

“The experience [working with Global] was one of learning, with extremely valuable and beneficial results—one we can recommend wholeheartedly.”

Elissa Hill, Elissa Hill Communications, Canberra Hospital Foundation (ACT, Australia)

Loreto Normanhurst

“It has been extremely helpful working with Nick Jaffer from Global Philanthropic to access an objective, external view of our School’s Philanthropic programs. His work has provided valuable input to inform our program development. Nick is extremely supportive, and I have appreciated his sound advice.”

Sarah Ryan, Chief Marketing Officer, Loreto Normanhurst School

https://www.loretonh.nsw.edu.au/

Cranbrook School

“I’ve enjoyed working closely with Global Philanthropic since the start of our major fundraising campaign. The comprehensive knowledge and guidance have provided us with a great sounding board when confronted with the complexity of fundraising.”

Cameron Torrance, Director of Development

https://www.cranbrook.nsw.edu.au/

The Orangutan Project (TOP)

“Global Philanthropic worked with my colleagues and me at The Orangutan Project to develop key documents for use as promotional activities. The ability to understand our organisation, and the space we work in, was key to the document being a success. The resulting Case for Support was professional and simply wonderful—our key supporters reviewed the final document and all were very impressed. Working with Global Philanthropic was like working with other colleagues—they knew our organisation as well as we did.”

Troy Kenah, Director of Development

RAND Europe

At RAND Europe, our mission is to help improve policy and decision making through research and analysis. Global Philanthropic has helped us think through our ambitious plans to broaden our impact by exploring how philanthropic gifts could allow us to examine new and cross-cutting areas of policy importance. Global Philanthropic colleagues gathered valuable insights that helped inform our strategy and plan and put in place the essential foundations for a thriving philanthropy programme.

Magdalena Douleva, Director of Development, RAND Europe

Burgmann College

“It has been a delight to work with the team at Global Philanthropic. From planning to implementation, I was reassured by the clear communication, thorough and concise planning, and warm and professional manner. They assisted us with a Market Positioning Research Study, which involved contacting a number of our alumni and friends to ask them quite sensitive questions, with a view to understanding perceptions of the College and our alumni relationships. The report provided a comprehensive overview of the College’s current position, as well as a thorough list of strategic recommendations, which has already assisted the College practically in achieving our goals.

“I also had the pleasure of working with the team on creating a Case for Support for the College. They worked with a number of internal stakeholders to capture what is at the heart of our community—who we are and what Burgmann stands for. They took the time to listen to, and understand, each stakeholder’s perspective, and developed a compelling Case for the College that has provided us with a solid framework for future planning and messaging.

“What struck me in particular from my time working with the team at Global is how genuinely interested in and committed everyone is to the College’s mission, values, needs and strategy. I wholeheartedly recommend their services and have highly valued working with them.”

Sally Renouf, Principal

Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply

“Global Philanthropic were quick to respond to our initial request for assistance.  Pam came directly from the airport following her Christmas leave and with Ben, they evidenced that they understood our requirements and had a clear idea how to help us achieve our goals.  They were agile in their approach and adapted to our changing targets.  Through their advice and guidance we successfully developed a new model of grant giving and have made new partnerships along the way.  We enjoyed working with the whole team and the breadth of knowledge and experience made available to us was incredible.”

“Global Philanthropic really helped us focus our principal gift strategy, streamlining the programme and identifying ways to engage prospects. In addition, an introduction to a new prospect led to a major gift which is incredible.  Pam and Jane worked incredibly hard throughout the whole process and we are extremely grateful for their continued support.”

Cambridge Judge Business School

“Upon the invitation of Dr Pam Davis, President of Global Philanthropic, Europe, Cambridge Judge Business School attended Global Philanthropic’s “Talking Philanthropy” conference in London in summer 2018. The conference was extremely impressive, with a diverse mix of organisations, both for profit and non-profit, together with philanthropists, trusts and foundations.

Pam was a trusted colleague of ours, as she had previously led fundraising for the University of Cambridge, and in that capacity, she had worked closely with the business school on donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship.

The conference offered informative talks and sessions ranging from “Solving Real-Life Fundraising Issues”, “Family Philanthropy”, Case studies on fundraising from specific organisations, among many others. The various individuals who participated offered a substantial chance for peer to peer learning and networking.

But, the seminal message that emerged from the conference for us, was the importance of harnessing the rising economic prowess of Asia to further the goals of Cambridge Judge Business School, chiefly advancing meaningful research and thought leadership and enabling more students to study at the business school, as well as learning from the management styles in Asia to feed back into our teaching programmes in Cambridge. We came away impressed with the depth of cultural knowledge that the founder of Global Philanthropic founder, Ben Morton Wright, has about Asia, from living there and founding his company there over a decade ago.

As a result, we hired Global Philanthropic to help us articulate and define the specific niche that Cambridge Judge Business School’s breadth of research, executive education and teaching offered for our alumni, advisory council members and other key relationships in Asia. Global Philanthropic then tested and sharpened our case for support through consultations and interviews with select stakeholders in China and wider Asia.

We continue to work with Global Philanthropic to position Cambridge Judge Business School’s specific value proposition to resonate and ensure deliver on mutual objectives with our Asia based stakeholders, and we find that their expertise in Asia is invaluable and unique.”

“Global Philanthropic were recommended to us by an industry colleague as we were keen to explore the potential around fundraising for a new capital project. The team interviewed key donors, potential donors, stakeholders and staff to understand their attitudes to the project and the organisation, and to assess what the projected income might be from a successful campaign. Our experience working with Global Philanthropic was very positive, with a clear, structured approach to the project, great feedback from our donors and staff and excellent suggestions as to the way forward. We now have a clearer idea of what the next steps would be in undertaking a campaign and valuable information to support this.”

Saffron Hall

“Global Philanthropic collaborated with Saffron Hall Trust on a series of Trust and Foundation Bids. The team was always professional, well prepared for meetings, and their advice was well informed.

One successful outcome was a trust and foundation bid of £100,000 over three years, the largest amount currently that Saffron Hall has received and we hope this will springboard further support from other Trusts.

We found Global Philanthropic very easy to work with and would definitely recommend them to other organisations.”

Nature Kenya

“Nature Kenya is 110 years old. Funding for most of Nature Kenya’s conservation comes from foreign donors. To expand its domestic funding, Nature Kenya decided to venture into high net worth individuals fundraising. This was something new that required learning on how to go about it. Global Philanthropic, led by Pam Davis, came in handy.

Pam trained Nature Kenya senior management on the high net worth individual fundraising approach. The training was very interactive and for three days we rehearsed. As a result of this, we have set up ‘Friends of Nature Kenya’. We currently have ten individuals on our list and are still reaching out to more prospective friends. Pam continues to follow up and guide us. Global Philanthropic is a trusted partner.”

St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School, Perth, Western Australia

St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School recently commissioned Global Philanthropic to conduct a positioning study and advise on their case statement for a proposed capital campaign. The client’s proposed capital developments address the learning needs for a future of unprecedented technological change. We are thrilled to support the School with this fundraising effort.

“A successful capital campaign requires many elements to be in place. We recognised it was crucial to assess our readiness for, and determine the scope of, our proposed campaign before proceeding. The positioning study carried out by Global Philanthropic has clearly identified how we can best move forward and engage our school community in realising the school’s vision for its second century. The Global team was always readily available with considered advice and guidance, and were a pleasure to work with.”

Linzey Allinson, Director of Philanthropy, St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School

Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC), Melbourne, Victoria

Two critical success factors for effective fundraising are influential fundraising volunteers, and strong and enthusiastic governing bodies. In preparation for their own upcoming campaign, MLC wanted to ensure its Foundation Committee was structured for optimal results. The College commissioned Global Philanthropic to undertake a foundation review, providing advice on different foundation models and functions, and making recommendations for roles and responsibilities, recruitment, and cohesive operations across governing bodies and advancement office staff.

“In support of our governance arrangements, Global Philanthropic was readily able to review our structures and make insightful recommendations for change. The paper was incredibly timely, exceptional in synthesising our position, and has provided much in the way of invigoration of purpose and process.”

Fiona Dickson, Director of Community Engagement, Methodist Ladies’ College, VIC

“Global's Philanthropic Naming Assessment was extremely valuable for us. It was completed with the highest quality, and provided us with a road-map for our donor's generosity.”

Jonathan Lyon, President & CEO, Health Sciences Centre Foundation

Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation

“Working with Global Philanthropic has changed the way Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation works with our community partners and what we’re ultimately able to deliver to the community.

Under their strategic counsel, we now operate very differently and more effectively. We have gone from a two-person shop to a three-person shop. Our transition into Major Gift fundraising is forecasting a seven figure impact on what we can do for our hospital over the next couple years. Our small shop is very lucky to have caught their eye and are thankful that they saw our potential and was were willing to take us on and lead us down this new road.

The question isn’t “Can we afford to?” The questions is “Can we afford not to?””

Jess Rheault, Executive Director, Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation

“Global Philanthropic is very knowledgeable, professional, punctual and makes learning and inevitably change, fun and exciting and a no-brainer.”

Jess Rheault

“I appreciated the flexibility of the Global Philanthropic consultants and that they were respectful of the different context of working in Netherlands.”

Eelco Keij, Director of Fundraising and Development

Read about our fundraising feasibility work with Radboud University in the Netherlands, and how we helped them answer the big questions surrounding the university’s philanthropic potential.

Download Radboud Case Study

“Given our previous experience with working with consultants in this area, it was gratifying to know that there were still good consultants out there.”

Christina Collard

Read about how we worked with the St Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences to help them create a practical and actionable plan for a new mid-level donor programme.

Download St Lawrence Case Study

STARS Foundation

Muna Wehbe, Chief Executive for the STARS Foundation gives a talk about what makes her foundation different: through the use of unrestricted funding for local organisations, the STARS Impact Awards, as well as the use of Global Philanthropic’s Advisory.

Also included are talks from Priti Patkar, Hassan Ibrahim, and Garj Banerji.

Calgary Zoo

“I needed to learn, I think the institution needed to learn, we needed to understand where we were and where we needed to be to move this forward. So partnering with Guy was very instrumental.

“Today, months later, we are definitely in a better shape than we were a year ago, because of that report and because also our ability to understand more about what needs to be done to be successful in fundraising.”

Clement Lanthier, President and CEO

King’s College London

“I think all institutions should be aware of the different cultural challenges of any new fundraising market that they are interested in exploring. For King’s College London, the advice that we received from Ben Morton Wright at Global Philanthropic has certainly been invaluable. We worked with them for many years and we anticipate doing the same for many years to come. And yes, I would recommend them to other institutions that are keen to move into Asia fundraising.”

Matt Ferguson, Associate Head of Principal Gifts

Humber College

“I really like the international perspective that Global brings to its clients, and I think in the Canadian market that’s fairly unique. We’ve got a really solid report of recommendations that will give us a help to develop an action plan for moving forward. One of the things that I found particularly valuable is that they take a boutique approach to provide service to their clients. I felt that every tool that they provided us or the councils was very tailored and customised to our unique situation.”

Julie Castle, Chief Advancement Officer

YMCA of Greater Toronto

“The unique value proposition if you work with Global is the major gift expertise and the best practice. You would swear that they were staff members, just as committed to the achievement of our campaign plan as we were. We’ve had a very positive experience. It was an intense piece of work and utmost professionalism from Guy and all of his team. We really felt that they were 100% if not 110% committed to our project.”

Mridula Joyner, VP, Philanthropy and Corporate Sponsorships

Murdoch University

“In 2007 we started planning our largest campaign to date to support the establishment of an institute focusing on immunology and infectious diseases … we decided that we need assistance in the planning of such a large campaign. But rather than appointing a consultant to run the campaign we decided to take a different approach. We wanted to work with someone who could help to upscale our team, to prepare as for this and future campaigns. We wanted an organisation that could provide strategic advice and coaching to our team, and one with awareness of national and international funding sources.”

Vicky Dodds, Director of Development

Hadrian's Wall Trust

“We have found with several of the funders that Global Philanthropic have introduced us to that they also share that ambition to create learning and understanding around our heritage, and they are very interested in our role in terms of conservation and protection of world’s heritage.

“Global Philanthropic have been there holding our hand making sure we do the right things in the right order. So for us to bring in that capacity to help us at a critical moment in our development has been really really important, and it’s given us a great confidence actually to step into the future.”

Linda Tuttiett, Chief Executive

Birmingham Royal Ballet

“We were looking for a company that could add value to our own fundraising effort. We’d achieved a lot in a very short amount of time, and the challenge for us was how we could achieve another step-change. Having the expert advice and experience of a company like Global has been really important because they’ve helped reassure senior members of the company that the journey that we’re on will lead to a destination that will actually get results.”

Geoff Sweeney, Development Director

• Financial Services
• Government & Government Agencies

Alberta Ballet Art Gallery of Calgary Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Art Gallery of Western Australia Arts Access Aotearoa Arts Umbrella Canada Artsupport Australia Auckland Festival Trust Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Australian Chamber Orchestra Australian Theatre for Young People Australian Youth Orchestra Beakerhead Birmingham Royal Ballet British Council British Library Catnip Productions Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project Cranbrook School Creative New Zealand dNet Dunedin Public Art Gallery Edmonton Downtown Academic & Cultural Centre Edmonton Opera Foundation Elder Conservatorium of Music European Union Baroque Orchestra Hadrian’s Wall Trust Le Centre d’art

Loreto Normanhurst Melbourne Recital Centre Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Museum of London Museum of Vancouver National Gallery Singapore National Library of Australia National Museums Scotland Opera Queensland Orchestra Victoria Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra Paisley Museum & Art Galleries (Scotland, UK) Parramatta Catholic Foundation, Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Performing Room PuSH International Performing Arts Festival Queensland Heritage Council Queensland Museum Saffron Hall Scottish Opera Singapore Repertory Theatre St Vincent’s College Foundation Sydney Symphony Orchestra The Banff Centre The Leeds International Piano Competition The London Library The National Gallery (London) The Old Vic Theatre Theatre Royal Hobart Victoria and Albert Museum Victorian Opera Vulcana Women’s Circus Wigmore Hall Wimbledon Concert Hall

Alex Community Health Centre Archdiocese of Brisbane (Roman Catholic) Baptist Care Services Bible Society Australia Carers Victoria Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Catholic Mission CentaCare Central Queensland Centre for International Finance and Regulation Christian Children’s Fund of Canada Community Legal Centres Queensland Community Living Association Community Living Hamilton Daily Positive Elijah Interfaith Institute Geelong Cats Sports Foundation Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Holy Spirit Care Services Lifeline Australia MacKillop Family Services Masonic Homes

National Civic Council Open Minds Parish of Saints Peter and Paul, Bulimba Peta Seymour Foundation Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People Queensland Kids Royal Hospital Chelsea Samaritans St Peter’s Cathedral StarJam STARS Foundation Telethon Kids Institute TELUS World of Science – Edmonton The Anglican Church of Canada The Gladstone Foundation The Highland Vineyard Foundation Uniting Church Foundation Vecova Wunan Foundation YMCA of Greater Toronto Youngcare YWCA – Calgary

A Start in Life Anglican Church Grammar School Ascham School Athabasca University Australian Catholic University Australian National University Australian School of Business Blue Mountains Grammar School Bond University Bow Valley College Brigidine College Brisbane Catholic Education Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School Brisbane Grammar School Burgmann College Cambridge Judge Business School Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Canberra Grammar School Carey Baptist Grammar School Central Queensland University Charles Darwin University Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa Christ’s College CIPS Concordia International School Shanghai Concordia Lutheran College Cranbrook School, Sydney Curtin University of Technology Deakin University Divine Word University Douglas College Edinburgh Napier University Edith Cowan University Emmanuel College, University of Queensland Epsom Girls Grammar School Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, University of Queensland Faith Lutheran College Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) Flinders University Fudan University Geelong Grammar School Godolphin School Griffith University Hong Kong International School Humber College Hunter Valley Grammar School I Have a Dream Charitable Trust New Zealand Imperial College London Indooroopilly State High School Institute for Advanced Study International Grammar School Sydney International School of Beijing IntoUniversity Jewish National Fund of Australia John Paul College Judge Business School Kambala School Kincoppal Rose Bay College King’s College London Korowa Anglican Girls’ School La Trobe University Launceston Church Grammar School Lethbridge College Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine London School of Economics and Political Science London South Bank University Loreto Kirribilli School Loreto Mandeville Hall Loreto Normanhurst Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge Macquarie University Malvern College Marist College Massey University Melbourne Business School Melbourne Grammar School Methodist Ladies’ College Millfield School Mission Aviation Fellowship New Zealand Monash University Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College Moreton Bay College Mount Roskill Grammar School Murdoch University National University of Singapore Nazarbayev Private Fund, Nazarbayev University

Norquest College Oberlin Conservatory of Music Okanagan College Olds College Pembroke School Princeton University Priors Court School Queensland University for the Creative Arts Queensland University of Technology Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre Radboud University Ravenswood School Redlands School Royal Australasian College of Physicians Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Scotch Oakburn College Seymour College Southbank Institute of Technology Southern Cross University St Andrew’s College St Hilda’s College, University of Melbourne St John’s College, Oxford St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rockhampton St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace St Laurence’s College St Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School St Michael’s Collegiate School St Paul’s School, Bald Hills St Peter’s College St Peter’s Girl’s School St Vincent’s College Foundation Stuartholme School Swinburne University of Technology The Country Trust The Hutchins School The King’s School The McDonald College The Southport School Trinity College, University of Cambridge United World College United World College New Zealand United World College South East Asia (UWCSEA) Universities New Zealand University for the Creative Arts University of Adelaide University of Auckland University of Birmingham University of California University of Canberra University of Canterbury University of Exeter University of Hong Kong University of Hull University of Liverpool University of London University of Manchester University of Melbourne University of New England University of New South Wales University of Newcastle University of Notre Dame University of Nottingham University of Pennsylvania University of Pretoria University of Queensland University of Reading University of Saskatchewan University of South Australia University of Southern Queensland University of St. Andrews University of Suffolk University of Sussex University of Sydney University of Technology, Sydney University of the Sunshine Coast University of Warwick Victoria University of Wellington Wellesley College Wells Cathedral School Western Sydney University

Accessible Oceans Alde & Ore Estuary Trust Aquaculture Stewardship Council Beyond Zero Emissions BirdLife International Calgary Zoo Cawthron Institute Centennial Parklands ClientEarth Conservation International Dogs for Good Earth Observatory of Singapore

Easter Seals, Alberta ECOS FERN Global Witness IFAW Mandai Nature Nature Kenya PDSA Pew Environment Group Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney & Centennial Parklands Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Senda Verde The Commitment The Orangutan Project Trust for Nature Urban Land Institute Water Research Australia World Wildlife Fund

Standard Chartered Suncorp UBS

Brisbane City Council

Aboriginal and Islander Health Service, Brisbane Asthma Auckland Auckland Deaf Society AusHEAL Austin Health Australia and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society Australian Medical Association Queensland Australian Women’s Health Network Bionic Ear Institute Burnet Institute Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Canberra Hospital Foundation Cancer Council Australia Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba Children’s Hospital Foundation Queensland Cure Brain Cancer Foundation Cystic Fibrosis Australia Father Lacombe Care Centre FIP: International Pharmaceutical Foundation Flinders Medical Centre GBC Health Genomics For Life Health Sciences Centre Foundation Hummingbird House Huntington’s Queensland ICON Cancer Care Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Karuna Hospice Service King Hussein Institute for Biotechnology and Cancer Lupus Canada Mary Potter Hospice

MS Research Australia Multiple Sclerosis Australia National Heart Foundation New Vista Society New Zealand College of Chiropractic Oxford Global Health Network Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation Princess Alexandria Research Foundation Queen Elizabeth Hospital Research Foundation Queensland Emergency Medicine Research Foundation Queensland Institute for Medical Research Southwest Sydney Local Health District St Andrew’s Medical Institute St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital St. Boniface Hospital Foundation The Discovery Project The Gairdner Foundation The Geriatric Medical Foundation of Queensland The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria The Global Health Initiative The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity The Shepherd Centre Uniting Care Health University College London Hospitals University of Ottawa Heart Institute Vario Health Institute Victoria Comprehensive Cancer Centre Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Wesley Hospital Wesley Research Institute Westmead Medical Research Foundation

ActionAid Aga Khan Foundation Canada Amnesty International Australia Asia Pacific Forum Australian Council for International Development ChildFund New Zealand Compassion Crossroads Foundation Ecumenical Coffee Brigade Every Home Global Concern John Fawcett Foundation Landesa

Oxfam NZ PLAN International Protimos Sentebale Rand Europe TEAR Fund NZ The Salvation Army Australia UNICEF UK United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) United Nations Foundation Vision Fund International WoodGreen Foundation

CentrePoint Canada QR National

Bankers Without Borders BEST Leadership Academy Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply College House Group

Finance Watch Impact Assessment Institute Lowy Institute for International Policy

A Start in Life Aboriginal and Islander Health Service, Brisbane Accessible Oceans ActionAid Aga Khan Foundation Canada Alberta Ballet Alde & Ore Estuary Trust Alex Community Health Centre Amnesty International Australia Anglican Church Grammar School Aquaculture Stewardship Council Archdiocese of Brisbane (Roman Catholic) Art Gallery of Calgary Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Art Gallery of Western Australia Arts Access Aotearoa Arts Umbrella Canada Artsupport Australia Ascham School Asia Pacific Forum Asthma Auckland Athabasca University Auckland Deaf Society Auckland Festival Trust Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra AusHEAL Austin Health Australia and New Zealand Head and Neck Cancer Society Australian Brandenburg Orchestra Australian Catholic University Australian Chamber Orchestra Australian Council for International Development Australian Medical Association Queensland Australian National University Australian School of Business Australian Theatre for Young People Australian Women’s Health Network Australian Youth Orchestra

Bankers Without Borders Baptist Care Services Beakerhead BEST Leadership Academy Beyond Zero Emissions Bible Society Australia Bionic Ear Institute BirdLife International Birmingham Royal Ballet Blue Mountains Grammar School Bond University Bow Valley College Brigidine College Brisbane Catholic Education Brisbane City Council Brisbane Girls’ Grammar School Brisbane Grammar School British Council British Library Burgmann College Burnet Institute

Calgary Zoo Cambridge Judge Business School Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation Canberra Grammar School Canberra Hospital Foundation Cancer Council Australia Carers Victoria Carey Baptist Grammar School Catholic Diocese of Parramatta Catholic Mission Catnip Productions Cawthron Institute CentaCare Central Queensland Centennial Parklands Central Queensland University Centre for International Finance and Regulation CentrePoint Canada Charles Darwin University Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply ChildFund New Zealand Children’s Aid Foundation of Ottawa Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba Children’s Hospital Foundation Queensland Christian Children’s Fund of Canada Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project Christ’s College CIPS ClientEarth College House Group Community Legal Centres Queensland Community Living Association Community Living Hamilton Compassion Concordia International School Shanghai Concordia Lutheran College Conservation International Cranbrook School Cranbrook School, Sydney Creative New Zealand Crossroads Foundation Cure Brain Cancer Foundation Curtin University of Technology Cystic Fibrosis Australia

Daily Positive Deakin University Divine Word University dNet Dogs for Good Douglas College Dunedin Public Art Gallery

Earth Observatory of Singapore Easter Seals, Alberta ECOS Ecumenical Coffee Brigade Edinburgh Napier University Edith Cowan University Edmonton Downtown Academic & Cultural Centre Edmonton Opera Foundation Elder Conservatorium of Music Elijah Interfaith Institute Emmanuel College, University of Queensland Epsom Girls Grammar School European Union Baroque Orchestra Every Home Global Concern John Fawcett Foundation

Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology, University of Queensland Faith Lutheran College Father Lacombe Care Centre Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) FERN Finance Watch FIP: International Pharmaceutical Foundation Flinders Medical Centre Flinders University Fudan University

GBC Health Geelong Cats Sports Foundation Geelong Grammar School Genomics For Life Godolphin School Global Witness Griffith University Guide Dogs NSW/ACT

Hadrian’s Wall Trust Health Sciences Centre Foundation Holy Spirit Care Services Hong Kong International School Humber College Hummingbird House Hunter Valley Grammar School Huntington’s Queensland

I Have a Dream Charitable Trust New Zealand ICON Cancer Care IFAW Impact Assessment Institute Imperial College London Indooroopilly State High School Institute for Advanced Study Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation International Grammar School Sydney International School of Beijing IntoUniversity

Jewish National Fund of Australia John Paul College Judge Business School

Kambala School Karuna Hospice Service Kincoppal Rose Bay College King Hussein Institute for Biotechnology and Cancer King’s College London Korowa Anglican Girls’ School

La Trobe University Landesa Launceston Church Grammar School Le Centre d’art Lethbridge College Lifeline Australia Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine London School of Economics and Political Science London South Bank University Loreto Kirribilli School Loreto Mandeville Hall Loreto Normanhurst Lowy Institute for International Policy Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge Lupus Canada

MacKillop Family Services Macquarie University Malvern College Mandai Nature Marist College Mary Potter Hospice Masonic Homes Massey University Melbourne Business School Melbourne Grammar School Melbourne Recital Centre Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Methodist Ladies’ College Millfield School Mission Aviation Fellowship New Zealand Monash University Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College Moreton Bay College Mount Roskill Grammar School MS Research Australia Multiple Sclerosis Australia Murdoch University Museum of London Museum of Vancouver

National Civic Council National Gallery Singapore National Heart Foundation National Library of Australia National Museums Scotland National University of Singapore Nature Kenya Nazarbayev Private Fund, Nazarbayev University New Vista Society New Zealand College of Chiropractic Norquest College

Oberlin Conservatory of Music Okanagan College Olds College Open Minds Opera Queensland Orchestra Victoria Oxfam NZ Oxford Global Health Network Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra

Paisley Museum & Art Galleries (Scotland, UK) Parish of Saints Peter and Paul, Bulimba Parramatta Catholic Foundation, Catholic Diocese of Parramatta PDSA Pembroke School Performing Room Peta Seymour Foundation Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation Pew Environment Group PLAN International Princess Alexandria Research Foundation Princeton University Priors Court School Protimos PuSH International Performing Arts Festival

QR National Queen Elizabeth Hospital Research Foundation Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People Queensland Emergency Medicine Research Foundation Queensland Heritage Council Queensland Institute for Medical Research Queensland Kids Queensland Museum Queensland University for the Creative Arts Queensland University of Technology Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre

Radboud University Rand Europe Ravenswood School Redlands School Royal Australasian College of Physicians Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney & Centennial Parklands Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Royal Hospital Chelsea Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

Saffron Hall Samaritans Samuel Marsden Collegiate School Scotch Oakburn College Scottish Opera Senda Verde Sentebale Seymour College Singapore Repertory Theatre Southbank Institute of Technology Southern Cross University Southwest Sydney Local Health District St Andrew’s College St Andrew’s Medical Institute St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital St Hilda’s College, University of Melbourne St John’s College, Oxford St Joseph’s Cathedral, Rockhampton St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace St Laurence’s College St Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School St Michael’s Collegiate School St Paul’s School, Bald Hills St Peter’s Cathedral St Peter’s College St Peter’s Girl’s School St Vincent’s College Foundation St. Boniface Hospital Foundation Standard Chartered StarJam STARS Foundation Stuartholme School Suncorp Swinburne University of Technology Sydney Symphony Orchestra

TEAR Fund NZ Telethon Kids Institute TELUS World of Science – Edmonton The Anglican Church of Canada The Banff Centre The Commitment The Country Trust The Discovery Project The Gairdner Foundation The Geriatric Medical Foundation of Queensland The Gladstone Foundation The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria The Global Health Initiative The Highland Vineyard Foundation The Hutchins School The King’s School The Leeds International Piano Competition The London Library The McDonald College The National Gallery (London) The Old Vic Theatre The Orangutan Project The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity The Salvation Army Australia The Shepherd Centre The Southport School Theatre Royal Hobart Trinity College, University of Cambridge Trust for Nature

UBS UNICEF UK United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) United Nations Foundation United World College United World College New Zealand United World College South East Asia (UWCSEA) Uniting Care Health Uniting Church Foundation Universities New Zealand University College London Hospitals University for the Creative Arts University of Adelaide University of Auckland University of Birmingham University of California University of Canberra University of Canterbury University of Exeter University of Hong Kong University of Hull University of Liverpool University of London University of Manchester University of Melbourne University of New England University of New South Wales University of Newcastle University of Notre Dame University of Nottingham University of Ottawa Heart Institute University of Pennsylvania University of Pretoria University of Queensland University of Reading University of Saskatchewan University of South Australia University of Southern Queensland University of St. Andrews University of Suffolk University of Sussex University of Sydney University of Technology, Sydney University of the Sunshine Coast University of Warwick Urban Land Institute

Vario Health Institute Vecova Victoria and Albert Museum Victoria Comprehensive Cancer Centre Victoria University of Wellington Victorian Opera Vision Fund International Vulcana Women’s Circus

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Water Research Australia Wellesley College Wells Cathedral School Wesley Hospital Wesley Research Institute Western Sydney University Westmead Medical Research Foundation Wigmore Hall Wimbledon Concert Hall WoodGreen Foundation World Wildlife Fund Wunan Foundation

YMCA of Greater Toronto Youngcare YWCA – Calgary

Fundraising Strategies

See how our advice has a value beyond the fundraising objective..

We use cookies from third party services for marketing activities and to offer you a better experience. Read about how we use cookies and how you can control them by clicking "Privacy Preferences".

Privacy Preference Center

Privacy preferences.

We use cookies from third party services for marketing activities and to offer you a better experience. Read about how we use cookies and how you can control them by clicking "Privacy Preferences".

Privacy Policy

Please share your location to continue.

Check our help guide for more info.

• Arts & Culture
• Civic Engagement
• Economic Development
• Environment
• Human Rights
• Social Services
• Water & Sanitation
• Foundations
• Nonprofits & NGOs
• Social Enterprise
• Collaboration
• Design Thinking
• Impact Investing
• Measurement & Evaluation

Organizational Development

• Philanthropy & Funding
• Current Issue
• Sponsored Supplements
• Global Editions
• In-Depth Series
• Stanford PACS
• Submission Guidelines

Building Inclusion from the Inside-Out: A Brief Case Study

The philanthropic sector believes diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to any social mission, but how can organizations ensure that their own people and processes reflect those values?

• order reprints
• related stories

By Sampriti Ganguli & Graham Murphy Jul. 27, 2016

The philanthropic sector is in agreement that diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to any social mission, but what does that look like in practice—especially within our own hallways and cubicles? While there’s consensus that our field has work to do in better representing and serving our diverse population, putting intentions into practice can be complicated and difficult.

Earlier this year, the D5 Coalition , a recently completed five-year initiative to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in philanthropy, released its annual State of the Work report outlining the movement’s progress and challenges. While D5’s creation five years ago, and the growing number of social-sector institutions who partnered with it over the years, are testament to the importance philanthropy places on diversity, equity, and inclusion, its latest report found that we still have a way to go. For example, people of color are still underrepresented at foundation leadership levels—and the lack of reliable data about the number of women, people of color, LGBT people, and people with disabilities in decision-making positions within foundations presents an ongoing challenge. As D5 Director Kelly Brown stated in the report, “The data itself may not be telling the whole story because many foundations have yet to share information about personnel and grant making.”

Given this, D5 decided to focus its final report on stories of people in philanthropic organizations taking action to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Brown continued, “These stories can inform strategy, but more importantly they instill hope, inspire courage, and buttress our shared commitment to advance the common good.”

In the spirit of the report, we are sharing our story—stumbles and all—in the hopes that others can learn from our experience as they work toward our shared goals.

Are you enjoying this article? Read more like this, plus SSIR's full archive of content, when you subscribe .

Arabella Advisors, which since 2005 has advised foundations and other donors on philanthropic strategy, began a concerted effort five years ago to increase the diversity of our workforce. We made many mistakes in our earliest days. It took time to understand what works and what doesn’t, and recalibrate, and we have come to realize that fully embodying these values is hard, in the same way that any kind of social change is hard.

Good Intentions Aren’t Enough

Leading up to this effort, we were growing rapidly, and we increasingly heard—particularly from junior and mid-level staff—that that our workplace felt disconnected from the people and places we served. At the same time, our clients—current and prospective—were more frequently highlighting how mission-critical diversity, equity, and inclusion is to the social sector. In 2011, we made a commitment to increase the diversity of our workforce.

At first, our efforts were scattershot and disorganized. We drafted a statement of our commitment , but though the sentiment was genuine, we had no coherent strategy to achieve it. We solicited ideas from staff about how to reach more diverse networks and set up a few ad-hoc staff diversity committees comprised of people who believed deeply in the mission. But while they proposed worthy goals, they made limited progress. These ideas and committees weren’t integrated into the organization’s broader strategic plan, and it was difficult to persuade management to accept accountability for goals that that it did not fully understand.

A couple of years into our efforts, we were seeing some positives—for example, broader recruiting networks and relationships with professional associations whose members brought new experiences to our firm—but staff sentiment remained ambivalent. We also heard clients express a desire for more diversity on our project teams. This led the firm’s leadership to pressure the recruitment team to seek more “diversity candidates,” but without a clear strategy for how to do that—or, most crucially, a common understanding of what we meant by diversity—the perspectives and insights we were bringing to the table felt static.

Listening and Learning

Two years into our efforts, we took a step back, acknowledging that we had misjudged the complexity of what it meant to be a diverse firm. Because of a desire to see and demonstrate progress, we had jumped into a series of actions geared at outputs measurable by statistics, without stopping to understand the problem.

We decided to approach diversity, equity, and inclusion as we would other firm-wide strategic issues: by designating people to lead the charge and be accountable, integrating it into our broader goals and infrastructure, and identifying outsiders to fill the gaps in our expertise. A brand-new HR department took responsibility for the firm’s commitment to diversity and set a simple goal for the first year: to develop a long-term vision and strategy for what a diverse, equitable, and inclusive Arabella should look like.

The team began with two important steps focused on learning. First, it reached out to diversity experts and external groups with diversity, equity, and inclusion success stories, including D5, academia, diversity consultants, and competitors. These groups helped us understand that diversity goes beyond demographics and statistics—that it is woven into every aspect of the workplace, from the obvious (recruiting and hiring) to the less obvious (water cooler chatter, happy hour themes, and who leads presentations at all-staff meetings). They also helped us determine where we needed to train staff on issues like unconscious bias and navigating challenging conversations.

Second, the team asked staff members what they were experiencing when it came to the diversity of our workforce and how our workplace supported it. We disseminated an all-staff survey, and interviewed individuals to learn about their experiences inside and outside Arabella. To our surprise, the internal data turned out to be the most enlightening. We hadn’t previously tracked demographic data in a systematic way, and our survey highlighted the extent to which racial and ethnic minorities were underrepresented at the firm—something we could set clear goals to address. We also learned that there was a perception that the firm promoted only dominant and extroverted personalities, and that people with different personalities weren’t heard.

Diversity at an organizational level is much more complex than demographic representation. Organizations must also create an environment in which different voices are heard, different skills and backgrounds are valued and promoted, and everyone feels they can be their authentic selves without professional repercussions. By seeking outside perspective and creating a platform that allowed employees to share their feelings, we discovered that every aspect of our systems, processes, and culture feeds into how diverse, equitable, and inclusive we are.

Initial Progress and Moving Forward

Understanding the problem better means we’ve become better at addressing it. With full backing from our senior leadership and our new CEO, we implemented a number of strategies. In 2015, we set a goal of increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the firm so that it better reflected the general population. A revamped recruiting team identified and cultivated partnerships with organizations that would connect us with candidates from a broader set of backgrounds. We forged a partnership with the DC chapter of the National Black MBA Association , for example, and co-hosted meetings and events for its members. We also affirmed our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our branding, particularly on our recruiting materials, and have heard from several candidates that this was a factor in their decision to apply to Arabella.

Simultaneously, we made a series of internal changes that went hand-in-hand with more expansive recruiting and hiring. We trained hiring managers to understand unconscious bias and how it can generate homogenous candidate pools. Prior to this work, one of our hiring criteria was “cultural fit”—a vague rationale that we now interrogated, realizing it was an umbrella under which people could lump biases. Our recruiters no longer allowed hiring teams to turn down a candidate because they were “not a cultural fit.” We also had external experts do intensive, full-day trainings with every member of our staff about what constituted an equitable and inclusive environment, including sessions on issues such as microaggressions and power in the workplace. We identified a cohort of staff from across the firm to serve as inclusion leaders, tasked with working on an ongoing basis with leadership, HR, and their peers on changing internal culture, processes, and models to better integrate these values.

Through these measures, we have begun to see progress on several fronts. For example, in 2015, we increased the racial and ethnic diversity of the firm by 32 percent, broadening and deepening the perspectives we bring to our work with clients and to our daily interactions with each other. And we formed a cohort of inclusion leaders—a cross-section of staff spanning the firm’s teams and regional offices—tasked with drawing on their experiences to drive the firm’s work on diversity and inclusion. In addition to helping us identify a number of other ways in which staff have felt disconnected, the inclusion leaders have led the development of a multi-pronged strategy to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the firm’s culture, recruiting and hiring, and client relationships. While we address the issues this cohort raises at the leadership level, staff members now drive trainings and events, as well as the broad direction of our efforts on this front.

Through these efforts, we have become better at incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion values into our work with clients. One of our project teams, for example, was able to help a major client uncover implicit bias and blind spots in their giving strategy; this resulted in a new set of criteria for their grant making that is enabling them to reach more vulnerable populations. Living these values by being better partners to our clients is deeply satisfying.

We all have a role to play in making our field more diverse, equitable, and inclusive—both in how we treat the people who work there and in how we think about the work we do. It is a tough journey that takes time, facing hard truths, and learning from mistakes, but the change we want to see in the world needs to start in our own hallways. 

Support  SSIR ’s coverage of cross-sector solutions to global challenges.  Help us further the reach of innovative ideas.  Donate today .

Read more stories by Graham Murphy & Sampriti Ganguli .

SSIR.org and/or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and to our better understanding of user needs. By closing this banner, scrolling this page, clicking a link or continuing to otherwise browse this site, you agree to the use of cookies.

Trending Searches

Trending articles, wheels around the world.

In this philanthropic Wheels Around the World event, each team will sponsor a wheelchair, complete a set of activities, decorate and personalize a wheel safety cover, and discover more about their recipients. Participants will make a direct impact on a person’s life while at the same time raising awareness of what it is like to live with a disability.

Download Details

Available as.

100 million people in the world need a wheelchair, 65 million people cannot afford one

Wheels Around the World is a unique CSR team building opportunity for organizations to make a real difference in the world and, at the same time, build team morale, cohesion, and purpose.

After an informative opening presentation, teams will use our custom app on iPads to learn more about a past wheelchair recipient. They will do a ‘case study’ and answer specific questions to earn a wheel-spoke safety cover to personalize and decorate. The spoke guard will be attached to the actual chair that they are sponsoring to help reduce the fear and stigma that a wheelchair can produce for the recipient.

Teams will then make a short presentation of their case study and present it to the entire group. A moving closing presentation by your expert facilitator rounds out this fantastic corporate social responsibility event.

Wheels Around the World is committed to providing life-changing mobility for all of its recipients. By partaking in this build a wheelchair team building activity, your team will help enhance the lives of the recipients while igniting a sense of empowerment and confidence within them. Together, you can help create a lasting difference and inspire others to do the same.

This is not just a short-term feeling – this event will be remembered for years to come.

All chairs will be donated through The Walkabout Foundation. Each team will receive a photo of the recipient of their sponsored chair. This amazing organization has enabled over 16,000 wheelchairs to be distributed to people in need.

Time needed

Space requirement.

This event can be run indoors or as a mix of indoor and outdoor. A large open space is needed, along with a table for each team and chairs for each participant with roughly a 20′ x 30′ space to set up a wheelchair course. A wireless mic will be required for groups larger than 50 people.

• Motivating your team
• Making a positive difference in the world
• Raising awareness of disabilities
• Working together towards a common goal

"One of the best team building events we have experienced in our many years of professional experience - both for team management and team members."

"Wheels Around the World was fantastic! We really enjoyed the event, and I could see us doing this on a larger scale. I am so glad I found you!"

Other events you may like.

Bridging the Divide

Build Your Own Mini Golf Course

Build-A-Boat Team Building Game

Catapult to Success

Let's talk..

For more than 20 years, we’ve been helping teams like yours enhance open communication and build team camaraderie. If you want to rekindle the bonds your team once shared, or you’re assembling a new virtual team for the post-pandemic world, we are here to help.

Questions? Need a quote?

Complete this form to get started or call 877-472-2725 .

• First Name *
• Last Name *
• Company Name *
• Direct Line (including extension)
• Event Location * ----- Virtual Event Hybrid Event In-Person Event
• Where will this event take place?
• Which event(s) are you interested in? (select up to 3) Almost Anything Goes – Virtual Trivia Team Building Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt America’s Master Mentalist Jon Stetson presents Virtual Mind Amazements An Attitude of Gratitude Animate: Stop Motion Animation Team Building Applied TeamProv Around the Virtual Campfire Arrow Break At The Races – Fun Team Building Games At the Virtual Races Atmosphere – Escape from Earth Beat The Box Beatswork Boom Time Breaking Barriers Bridging the Divide Build Your Own Mini Golf Course Build-A-Birthday Build-A-Boat Team Building Game C’mon Down! Game Show Corporate Event Catapult to Success Chain Reaction Change Management Chocolate Truffle Making Experience & Kit City Build Clean Water Connection Cooking For A Cause Corporate CSI Corporate Film Festival Corporate Project Runway Corporate Quiz Bowl Corporate Survivor Crescendo CSI La Hacienda – 3D Online Mystery Curated Virtual Chocolate Tasting Experiences Custom Team Building Digital Global Innovation Game Dining In The Dark DiSC™ Training Do Good Bus Domino Effect Drumming Up A Team Ecopitch – Corporate Sustainability Challenge Effective Communication Skills Elephants on Mars Emotional Intelligence for Teams Employee Wellness – Virtual Escape From Hotel California Escape the Blizzard Escape the Blizzard Escape The Maze Escape the Mob Escape the Virtual Mob Essential Pieces Everyday Superheroes Food Truck Challenge Foodbank Showdown Game of Drones Gingerbread House Hunters Global Innovation Game Global Music Festival Game Go Give: Charity Challenge Go Team – High Tech Scavenger Hunts Go Team Festive – Us Haunted House Virtual Escape Room Healthcare Heroes Scavenger Hunt Helping Hands Hopefull Handbags Global Humor that Works ibuild iBuild Virtual Ice Cream Challenge Ice Cream Social Ice Sculpting Impact Online Improv for Team Building In It To Win It – Fun Team Building Games Integrity International Food Tour Just Desserts Just Roll With It – Charitable Skateboard Build Laughter Yoga Leadership Stories Let Them Eat Cake Let’s Play Bingo – Online Little Team Library Mad Dash Scavenger Hunt Meditainment Mission ImPAWssible: Pet Wheelchair Build Monster Mash Dash Mr. Roboto Murder Mystery Dinners Music Bus Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Team Building Workshop Nexus Speed Networking Event Oh What Fun! – Holiday Team Trivia Operation Cancer Care Operation Military Care Outrageous Games Paint Soles For Souls Paws For A Cause Picture this: Virtual Play it Forward – The Giveback Game Show Playing the Blues Polaroid Scavenger Hunt Product Pipeline Professional Development Workshops Online Progressive Dinner Project Sleigh Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt Pumpkin Carving Quickfire Quickfire Festive Team Building Activity Quickfire Halloween Quickfire Olympics Quickfire Olympics Online Race Around the World Race Around the World – Festive Edition Reindeer Games – Virtual Racing Remote Team DNA Resiliency – Virtual Rogue Agent – Virtual Escape Room Salsa Showdown Sand Sculpting Say Cheese! School For Spies Shark Teams Sherlock Holmes – Murder Mystery Escape Room Sight Unseen – An Empathy Training Experience Sketch it Forward Handcrafted Greeting Cards Sleuth: The Murder Mystery Scavenger Hunt Solve a Rubik’s Cube Spin To Win! Squad Game Star Games – Intergalactic Training Camp Strengths Finder 2.0 Summer Camp Throwback Summit to Success Survey Says Synergyk Tabletop FASTCAR Tea is for Teams – Tea Tasting Experience Team and Leadership DNA Team Chili Cook-Off Team Chocolatier Team Disc Golf Team Mixology Team Painting – Virtual Team PechaKucha – Storytelling Workshop Team Resilience Training Team Teddy Rescue Bear Team Ukulele Team Wellbeing – Employee Wellness Program Team-opoly Scavenger Hunt TeamCuisine The Best Dueling Piano Show The Big Give The Big Picture The Charity Bike Build The Chocolate Challenge The Climate Change Challenge The Donation Station The Great Appetizer Challenge The Great Team Building Pumpkin Race The Haka Team Building The Infinite Loop The Infinite Loop Online The Mystery Bus The Official Jeopardy!® – Team Building Activities The Official Jeopardy!® – Virtual Game Show The Original Virtual Museum Scavenger Hunt The Prosthetic Hand Project The Ultimate Holiday Party The Ultimate Pizza Challenge The Ultimate Virtual Halloween Party The Ultimate Virtual Holiday Party The Ultimate Virtual Team Building Event Tools for Schools Toys for Tykes ‘Arts & Music’ Event Trick Or Trivia Ultimate Tailgate Challenge VCSI – Virtual Crime Scene Investigation Virtual Balloon Twisting Workshop Virtual Beer and Cheese Tasting Event Virtual Casino Night Virtual Cookie Decorating: Cookie Tales Virtual Gingerbread House Hunters with Kits Virtual Global Music Festival Game Virtual Happy Hour & Mixology Class Virtual Holiday Happy Hour & Mixology Virtual Improv for Team Building Virtual In It To Win It Virtual Laughter Yoga Virtual Murder Mystery Dinner Virtual Office Party Virtual Poker Tournament with Live Dealers Virtual Pumpkin Carving Virtual Spin to Win Virtual Survey Says | Online Survey Game Virtual Team Connections Virtual Training Workshops Virtual Wellness Activities and Team Challenges Virtual Wine Tasting & Kits WFH Scavenger Hunt Wheelchairs In Motion – Charity Wheelchair Build Wheels Around the World Wicked Good Chowda Cook-Off Wild Card Team Building Bingo Winery Team Challenge Zombie Rising
• Approximate Participant Count * Single number only. Your best estimate.
• When is your event? MM slash DD slash YYYY Please provide the closest estimate.
• Approximate budget Idea of budget? Under $1,499 $1,500 - $2,999 $3,000 - $4,999 $5,000 - $9,999 Over $10,000
• Tell us about your program/event The more info you provide, the more accurate the quote.
• How did you hear about us? ---- Repeat Client Search Engine Social Media Newsletter Referral Blog Podcast Print/Digital Media Tradeshow/Event Other
• Hidden How many people is it for? How many people is it for? 10 - 25 26 - 40 41 - 55 56 - 100 101 - 155 156 - 200 201 - 250 251 - 300 301 - 350 351 – 400 Over 400
• Hidden Program ID
• Hidden IP Address
• Hidden IP Location Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code United States Canada Country
• Hidden Program / Info Combo
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Create Your Free Account

Get exclusive access to new programs from the TeamBonding Lab, save your favorite ideas, and track your upcoming events. Already have an account? Login

Don't yet have an account? Create a Free Account

Remember Me

Forgot Your Password? Password Reset

Geneva Global is part of Global Impact Ventures

Our Case Studies

Our clients inspire us with their bold ambitions and generosity. Each client project is unique, and we thrive on the opportunity to craft creative and custom solutions.

Filter By Client Type

Supporting the launch and growth of a new international fund  .

For many years, we served as embedded team members at…

Aligning initiatives with strategic planning

Understanding where initiatives are already making a difference and what…

Devising a roadmap for current and future growth

When the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) engaged Geneva Global, it…

Establishing a framework for philanthropic expansion 

A multi-generational family was looking to scale up their philanthropy,…

Launching an ambitious pooled fund

A group of leading philanthropic donors wanted to fill a…

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies
• Privacy Policy

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

More information about our Privacy Policy

Team Building in the United Arab Emirates Case Study

Philanthropic team building, seagate’s morale-athon, works cited.

Team building is an essential part of the sufficient functioning of the organization (Dyer, Dyer and Dyer 232). Various types of team building exist such as building the team from the beginning and inspiring the team spirit in the existing team (“Community Tool Box. Section 4: Building Teams: Broadening the Base for Leadership” par. 12). In this instance, volunteering contributes to the advancement of the dynamics of the already existing team. However, it contributes to the engagement in the activity with the local communities to create the interest in the company and support its corporate values. It is evident that volunteering starts gaining popularity in the world, as a social phenomenon, which contributes to the development of the positive attitudes in the society.

Corporate social responsibility is an important element, which helps build a positive image of the company (Mullerat and Brennam 123). In the context of the case study, it is evident that the involvement in volunteering activities contributes to building a sufficient corporate image. While organizing the volunteering activities companies has a strong integration with the community and assure that they do not cause any damage to the society or environment. In this instance, volunteering not only contributes to the improvement of the team dynamics within the organization but also to the integration with the community and development of the positive brand image by taking responsibilities for the actions.

Volunteering activities are not only advantageous for the enhancement of team spirit and improvement of team dynamics, but they also affect other activities in the organization a positive way. For example, UPS mentions that volunteering assists in the development of the leadership skills among the employees. Moreover, as it was mentioned earlier, volunteering helps build the positive brand image of the company, as this activity shows that the enterprise is interested in the local communities. Furthermore, various volunteering experiences teach the employees various skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking as surroundings have a tendency to change (Thomas-Baily par.1). In the end, the companies have qualified personnel and a positive corporate image.

It could be said that UEA provides a variety of the volunteering activities, which are available for employees (“Volunteering in UAE” par. 1). It could be said that it is widely spread, as it starts to gain the popularity in the world. For instance, Dubai actively launches the volunteering activities, and EnerPlastics LLC sponsors it (“Dubai Cares” par. 12). It could be said that the organizations and employees have a positive attitude regarding volunteering, as it contributes to the team building and positive perceptions of the company among the society members. It is evident that volunteering is beneficial for the businesses and society, as it contributes to finding the solutions to the critical issues and cultivating an understanding of the necessity of the volunteering as a social action. However, the volunteering starts to gain popularity, but not many companies participate in it.

Team building is an essentiality, and it contributes to the understanding of the goals of various team members (Topchik 55). It could be said that in this case, the Seagate uses the activities to enhance the team dynamics within the organization. In my opinion, all of the events are sufficient for the team building, as they are aimed at taking the employees out of their comfort zones. Nonetheless, Tuesday Testing the Limits is one of the possible events for enhancing the team spirit since each of the team members has to contribute to keeping the stuffed animal with him/her all the time. This exercise teaches that people have to take into account small tasks seriously, as they are the part of their daily routine and affect the job performance dramatically.

As for being cohesive, it could be said that all of the activities except the tasks during the first day are aimed at building the team spirit and discovering new opportunities. It could be said that the event of the last day tests the ability of the team to act as a sophisticated mechanism. In this instance, the level of competition increases, and the members of the teams have to be as cohesive as possible to perform successfully. Moreover, as it was mentioned earlier, taking care of the stuffed animal also contributed to building a sufficient communication within the team since the toy requires a high level of attention.

Lastly, it could be said that UAE provides various team-building activities, which are necessary to enhance the development of the organization. It could be said that this type of activities is more popular that volunteering since the tasks are easy to implements and do not involve additional resources. It could be said that a particular organization exists to improve the structures of the teams in the companies. For instance, Turn Around offers such activities as All Hands, Rock My Boat, and Photoshoot (“Turn Around” par. 1). All of the activities remain exciting and challenging and contribute to the effective team building.

Community Tool Box. Section 4: Building Teams: Broadening the Base for Leadership 2015. Web.

Dubai Cares 2015. Web.

Dyer, Gibb, Jeffrey Dyer, William Dyer. Team Building: Proven Strategies for Improving Team Performance. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013. Print.

Mullerat, Ramon, and Brennam, Daniel. Corporate Social Responsibility of the 21 st century. Bedfordshire: Kluwer Law International, 2011. Print.

Thomas-Baily, Carlene. “The Benefits of Volunteering.” The Guardian . 2010. Web.

Topchik, Gary. The First-time Manager’s Guide to Team Building. Caribou: Silverstar Enterprises, 2007. Print.

Turn Around 2015. Web.

Volunteering in UAE 2015. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 10). Team Building in the United Arab Emirates. https://ivypanda.com/essays/team-building-in-the-united-arab-emirates/

"Team Building in the United Arab Emirates." IvyPanda , 10 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/team-building-in-the-united-arab-emirates/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Team Building in the United Arab Emirates'. 10 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Team Building in the United Arab Emirates." February 10, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/team-building-in-the-united-arab-emirates/.

1. IvyPanda . "Team Building in the United Arab Emirates." February 10, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/team-building-in-the-united-arab-emirates/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Team Building in the United Arab Emirates." February 10, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/team-building-in-the-united-arab-emirates/.

• Seagate Technology International
• The Muslim Students’ Association: Initiatives and Collaborations
• Social Entrepreneurship: Supporting Philanthropic Organizations
• Volunteering Phenomenon, Definitions and Benefits
• Leadership, Reward Systems, and Training in Volunteering
• Volunteering in Leisure Sector
• Volunteering Effects on Happiness
• Parent Volunteering in the Early Education Centers
• Volunteering Portfolio: Methodist Church of Britain
• The Culture of Volunteering in Saudi Arabia
• Good and Bad News and Routine Requests in Business
• Manager's Response to Employee's Leave of Absence
• Job Interview: Preparation Tips for Employees
• Publicity and Customer Communication Strategy
• Interpersonal Conflict Resolution at the Workplace

• Mission, Vision, and Core Beliefs
• 2021-2025 Strategic Direction
• Ethical Principles
• Press Releases
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment
• Our Supporters
• Work at the Council
• Board of Directors
• President and CEO
• Council Staff
• Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report
• Disaster Grantmaking and Response to Specific Disasters
• Values-Aligned Philanthropy
• Mastering Foundation Law
• Sample Documents
• Legal Resources Team
• Asia & Oceania
• Community Foundation Locator
• Philanthropic Infrastructure
• COVID Resources & Pledge
• Response to Ukraine
• CF Insights
• Open Exchange
• Role-Focused Peer Communities
• Foundation-Specific Peer Communities
• Peer Learning Circles

Philanthropy Exchange Basics

Learn how to get started on the exchange and the basics of posting.

• Action Alerts
• Policy and Advocacy Training Center
• Public Policy Action Network
• Advocacy Toolkit
• Advocacy and Lobbying Resources
• Policy Agenda for the 118th Congress
• Charitable Giving
• Federal Tax Policy
• Federal Partnerships
• Federal Liaisons
• HUD Secretary's Award
• FEMA National Disaster Recovery Program Database
• Public Policy Advisory Committee
• Regulatory Engagement
• Amicus Briefs
• Council Letters to Congress & Administration
• Career Pathways
• Community Foundations National Standards
• Council Awards
• Global Philanthropy
• Community Foundations
• Corporate Philanthropy
• Private Foundations
• Public Grantmaking Charities
• Building Common Ground
• Executive Leadership
• Locally Led Development
• Narrative Shift
• Sustainable Development Goals

Building Together

• Peer Events

Leading Collaboratively Across Differences

May 6-9, 2024 | Chicago, IL

Largest Study on Narratives in Philanthropy Shows Sector’s Messaging Creates Confusion, But Better Stories Can Build Trust

WASHINGTON - The Council on Foundations and the Center for Public Interest Communications today announced the release of Philanthropy’s New Voice , the largest study ever of narratives in philanthropy.

The report, resulting from a yearlong, multimethod study, found that a big part of the reason Americans don’t understand philanthropy, or its impact on their lives, is the sector’s own messaging. But the report also offers science-backed strategies to build understanding and trust, starting with the words foundations use, and the stories they tell.   

“Foundations play an indispensable role in communities across the country, but the important role philanthropy plays in American society is unclear to many,” said Council on Foundations President and CEO Kathleen Enright. “With these research-backed recommendations, philanthropy can adapt to counter harmful narratives and build trust.”

“It’s clear from our research that the American public, members of Congress and their staff, and sector practitioners want foundations to be more transparent and share details about how philanthropy works,” said the Center for Public Interest Communications Director and report co-author Ann Searight Christiano. “Using this report, foundations can learn how to tell relatable, ethical stories that provide the right kind of transparency, including nitty-gritty details and the perspectives of foundation staff and community partners.”

Part of the study analyzed 10 types of storytelling narratives and found that all 10 resulted in higher perceived trust, transparency, and effectiveness in foundations - and lower concerns - compared with existing stories about philanthropy. Trust increased the most with stories that include specifics about how money is spent and how decisions are made.

In addition, interviews with congressional staffers and analysis of Congressmember social media posts revealed that, with some notable exceptions, members of Congress have positive perceptions of philanthropy and seem more interested in collaboration with foundations than increased regulation - but their lack of understanding of the charitable sector is holding them back from potential partnerships.

The report, free for all to download, pulled findings from:

• A national survey of 3,557 Americans sampled from diverse identity and ideological backgrounds to match U.S. demographics;
• A survey of communications practitioners who work in the sector;
• Multiple types of content analyses;
• Interviews with Congressional staffers and communications practitioners;
• Social media listening across platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X

About the Council on Foundations The Council on Foundations is a nonprofit membership association that serves as a guide for philanthropies as they advance the greater good. Building on our 75-year history, the Council supports more than 900 member organizations in the United States and around the world to build trust in philanthropy, expand pathways to giving, engage broader perspectives, and co-create solutions that will lead to a better future for all. Learn more about the Council and become a member by visiting cof.org.

About the Center for Public Interest Communications The Center for Public Interest Communications, the first of its kind in the nation, is designed to study, test, and apply the science of strategic communication for social change. The Center helps organizations create change and discover how behavioral, cognitive, and social science can show how people think, make decisions, and behave. The Center helps organizations develop and implement powerful communication strategies through science, systems thinking, and human-centered design.

Nicole Bronzan

Vice president, communications and content.

• 1-800-565-8735
• [email protected]

CASE STUDY: A Perfect Group Activity Organized in One Business Day

With only one business day to organize a team building activity, a financial group from Conexus Credit Union needed a quick and easy-to-run solution. Find out how they found the perfect activity before their event deadline.

The question – “do you have an activity that we can run…next monday”.

When Conexus Credit Union contacted our team on a Friday afternoon, they were almost certain that there wouldn’t be a solution available for their Monday morning event. Fortunately, many of our solutions are available on even the tightest turnarounds.

The company needed a quick, easy-to-run, and engaging indoor team building activity for a small group of six employees. The ideal activity would get the group’s minds going, promote collaboration between colleagues – and be ready to go the next business day.

THE ANSWER – “Code Break Express”

Code Break  Express was the perfect solution.  An activity filled with brainteasers, puzzles, and riddles, Code Break tested the group’s mental strengths as they worked together to solve as many challenges as possible before time ran out.

The Express version of Code Break was ideal for Conexus Credit Union’s shorter timeframe, as express activities have fewer challenges and can be completed in an hour or less. The company’s group organizer was able to easily and efficiently run the activity through our custom-built smartphone app with great results.

Highlights from the activity include :

• A live scoreboard kept the players engaged in the activity

LEARN ABOUT CODE BREAK 

THE RESULTS – “Thank you for the quick turnaround time.”

The team from Conexus Credit Union was thrilled with the results of their Code Break Express activity. They loved how easy it was run themselves using our mobile app, and that the activity helped them work together as a team.

“ Our team really enjoyed the event. The app was easy to use. Fabulous service from Jordan and his team! I would rate this as a ‘10’ and I won’t hesitate to recommend your services to a friend or colleague. We really enjoyed the activity as a team! Thank you for all your assistance and the quick turnaround time on my request. I am very appreciative! — Conexus Credit Union

  Find out how you can partner with our team on a fast and fun team building activity by getting in touch with us at 1-800-565-8735, or requesting your free consultation:

Subscribe to our newsletter, and stay updated, related articles.

16 Team Building Case Studies and Training Case Studies