{"id":472,"date":"2022-01-31T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-31T05:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/museum.lavorazioni.dev\/the-added-value-of-a-fully-engaged-philanthropic-foundation\/"},"modified":"2025-10-12T16:08:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T14:08:37","slug":"the-added-value-of-a-fully-engaged-philanthropic-foundation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.museumstrategy.org\/en\/the-added-value-of-a-fully-engaged-philanthropic-foundation\/","title":{"rendered":"The added value of a “fully engaged” philanthropic foundation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MAVA Foundation’s “octopus-like” philosophy.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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Credit: MAVA Foundation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

MAVA Foundation<\/a> is a family-owned philanthropic foundation based in Switzerland. It was founded in 1994 with the aim of preserving biodiversity and ecosystem functions, promoting initiatives for a more sustainable economy and supporting actions that contribute to global environmental conservation.<\/p>\n\n

The charity provides funds for conservation projects across three eco-regional areas<\/a>, but its mission <\/em>does not stop at financial support. As is well highlighted<\/a>, those who work within the foundation feel involved <\/strong>in all phases of projects with their partners, espousing their cause and helping them acquire the skills and tools they need. \n \nIt is from this principle that the booklet <\/em>Be an Octopus!<\/em><\/a> Reflections from an Engaged donor<\/em><\/a>,<\/em> a reflection on how a foundation can further optimize its positive impact through the philanthropic funds made available to it.<\/p>\n\n

“MAVA firmly believes that, as a donor, supporting a cause means more than funding projects.<\/em> Just as an octopus<\/strong> can adapt to the environment, solve problems and use different weapons at the same time, similarly we have additional unique capabilities beyond writing checks.<\/em> Not taking advantage of these opportunities would reduce our potential impact on our mission<\/strong>.<\/em> Being able to apply all of these capabilities is what we call being an involved donor<\/strong>.”<\/em><\/p>MAVA Foundation<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n

The motivations, best practices, and lessons learned from nearly three decades of funded projects are explored in depth within the booklet. Making available the processes and ways of working gained in this long philanthropic experience is a way to share advice and strategies to other foundations that wish to add value<\/strong> in their partners’ projects.<\/p>\n\n

How to become a “fully engaged” philanthropic foundation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

For MAVA foundation, an entity is<\/strong> involved <\/strong>when it espouses the cause of its projects <\/strong>and donates its expertise <\/em> inaddition to the disbursement of funds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

There are three key questions from which to develop an optimization of one’s financial support within disbursed projects:<\/p>\n\n