Jacqueline Marie Leaffer Foundation

Creating Philanthropic Impact

When Karen and Steve Leaffer created their family foundation, they had a clear vision: to advance positive social change for people in need, the poor, sick, vulnerable, and marginalized, and to inspire others to do the same. Generous donors for many years, they wished to be more intentional and to amplify their giving and impact through focused and disciplined grantmaking.

Because of my experience with grantmaking and strategy, the Leaffers asked me to help with their first strategic plan, and then to guide them in operationalizing it. I collaborated with Karla Raines, owner, Corona Insights, and creator of Differentiation Zone. With the fundamentals in place, their ethos/values, mission, and grant priorities, I facilitated discussions about the capacity, performance, and impact needed to build a strong foundation in short order. Together, we explored grantmaking styles and models and identified the Foundation’s desired results and measures of success. Armed with my knowledge of best practices, we mapped the philanthropic assets and tools that can be used to promote the kind of social change the Leaffers seek.

Karen explains, “With the fundamentals in place, we had to put our grantmaking strategy into practice. That required more exploration, a deeper dive inward. It required us to think about the many ways we engage with the community philanthropically—through our foundation, our donor advised fund, our personal giving, our pro bono work, and our volunteer service—and to align and mobilize those things for maximum impact. Lisa helped us find what makes us unique as philanthropists and is helping us bring it to life.” The work ahead is to ensure grantmaking brings their mission to life; creating positive social change so children and families in need have access to the opportunities they deserve.

Coaching for Success

The new strategic plan we created includes a three-year tactical work plan with expected deliverables relating to financial and administrative management, reporting, grantmaking processes and procedures, grant criteria, due diligence, and a theory of change for evaluation. I was invited to coach and advise their new Director of Philanthropy Kecia Carroll who is leading the effort. Working hand-in-hand with Kecia, I serve as her thought partner as she implements the strategic plan’s ambitious goals. 

“Lisa is a coach, mentor, teacher, and sounding board, which not only makes me smarter, but more efficient and effective with our grantmaking. Working with her, and the collective wisdom and experience she brings to our work, means every action I take gets us closer to our mission, and that much faster.”

Kecia Carroll, Director of Philanthropy, Jacqueline Marie Leaffer Foundation