Philanthropy Catalyst Newsletter | Sept. 2014

ONE DROP’s Walk for Water

The second annual One Night for ONE DROP exceeded their goal and raised over $6 million in support of ONE DROP’s efforts to ensure that water is accessible to all, today and forever! 100% of the proceeds are in support of the ONE DROP Foundation. The once in a lifetime performance engaged guests in extravagant pre-parties including a walk down the blue carpet and an unforgettable show, performed by volunteer Cirque du Soleil artists in the Michael Jackson Theater of Mandalay Bay. A live auction directly followed the show; auction items included beautiful one of a kind jewelry pieces and a luxurious beach house in Hawaii. After the bidding, guests moved to Moorea for an extraordinary after-party complete with hors d’oeuvres, libations, guest performances, and of course, Cirque performers.

One Night for ONE DROP is an annual global philanthropy event visualized by Guy Laliberte and brought to life by Cirque du Soleil’s leadership team. Moonridge Group was recruited to lead community engagement and donor stewardship efforts for the first show in 2013 and was retained again for the 2014 and 2015 events. Moonridge Group worked with top philanthropists in Las Vegas and around the world to raise funds and awareness of ONE DROP’s efforts. Since the inception of One Night for ONE DROP, the event has transformed into a global philanthropy event including associated events such as the Walk for Water, an event that recognizes the women and children that walk miles every day for clean water; the Big One for ONE DROP, a poker tournament exceeding millions of dollars in winnings and charitable contributions; and the Santa Monica Sneak Preview event, an exclusive preview of the upcoming One Night for ONE DROP show.

ONE DROP is focused on water access, and the important role it serves in Las Vegas and around the globe. Moonridge Group is honored to be a part of the ONE DROP team and to help them fulfill their mission. For more information on One Night for ONE DROP, please CLICK HERE and for more information on ONE DROP’s efforts globally please visit CLICK HERE.

ONE DROP’s next event is the Walk for Water on October 11th; registration is now available: CLICK HERE.

Sanctuario de Luz

This summer, Moonridge Group traveled to Autlan, Mexico to volunteer in Carlos Santana’s community medical clinic, Sanctuario de Luz. Sanctuario de Luz provides medical care and healthcare workshops to Autlan’s most impoverished families. Inspired by Carlos Santana’s generosity to the Las Vegas community, the Moonridge Group team decided to do their own “pay it forward” project in Santana’s hometown. Moonridge Group and community friends, Pediatric Anesthesiologist Dr. Stephanie Davidson and Pediatrician Dr. Farahnaz Norozian, volunteered their time to the clinic to provide medical check-ups and health workshops on dental hygiene and dietary needs.

If you would like to learn more about Sanctuario de Luz please visit: CLICK HERE

Save the Date for the 4th Annual Philanthropy Leaders Summit

Moonridge Group’s 4th annual Philanthropy Leader’s Summit will be February 6, 2015 in the Las Vegas City Hall Council Chambers.

The annual event brings together over 150 funders from corporations, foundations and families. A stellar line-up of philanthropy experts is scheduled to speak, along with a panel discussion with youth philanthropists from across the nation. Come meet other philanthropy leaders and engage in an inspiring dialogue on best practices, trends, and new ideas in philanthropy.

Watch highlights from last years Summit.

Board Member Boot Camp

Moonridge U is a portal of knowledge based on the latest thinking, best practices, and Moonridge Group's direct experience working with both philanthropists and nonprofits, provided through tools, workshops and publications.

Board Member Boot Camp is for current and prospective board members. This workshop will address the basics of what it means to be a board member, plus provide advice on how to create the most meaningful and valuable experience for yourself and for the organization you work with.

The Next Golden Age of Philanthropy

Like science and fashion, philanthropy has evolved over time. The concept of giving is consistent, but the givers have changed. From sectors to gift size, philanthropy is undergoing a transformation on multiple fronts. A collection of surveys, interviews and studies provides insight on the changing face of philanthropy and what its future may look like in the hands of up and coming donors.

Looking at giving by generation sets the stage for exploring how young philanthropists compare and contrast to those before them.

The generations giving today are:

Generation Y or Millennials: born between 1981 and 1994

Generation X: born between 1965 and 1980

Baby Boomers: born between 1946 and 1964

Matures: born before 1946

Today, Millennials represent the smallest group of philanthropists at 11%. Baby Boomers contribute almost half of total giving at 43% followed by the Matures (26%) and Generation X (20%). A study by Blaukbaud in 2013 discovered trends in giving by generation. Traditionally, Boomers and Matures have focused their giving in the areas of religion, health, and education; Generations X and Y share these interests but also strongly support new causes including animal rights and the environment. Rather than giving large, general grants, young philanthropists prefer to connect with smaller organizations and tailor a gift to their needs. ii Focusing on Millennials, they are the group most interested in seeing the impact of their investment as well as the group most likely to give using a mobile phone. In summary, the goal of today’s philanthropists is to create a positive impact while receiving a return on the investment.

[i] DeBoskey, Bruce. “Next generation of donors committed to philanthropy,” denverpost.com, (February 10, 2013).

[ii] #NEXTGENDONORS. “Executive Summary,” nextgendonors.org, (2013).