Ways to Give > Donor Venture Funds

We think of our donors as investors, people who see their philanthropy as investments in positive change.

There are generous people all over the planet. They get excited about programs and ideas. They fund them. Things happen. But philanthropy has become more bureaucratic, and that can slow down creativity.

At PVF, we bring entrepreneurship to the business of philanthropy. To make changes, you have to take risks. We’re far from reckless but we do try new things, and donors appreciate our outside-the-box thinking.

We simplify ways to identify outstanding people and great projects. We focus on solutions, not problems.

PVF offers a variety of services to individuals, families, businesses and foundations through Donor Venture Funds. We make grants to charitable projects that donors recommend, consult and strategize with donors on their giving plan, and help them navigate through the world of nonprofit programs. Donors benefit from our philanthropic expertise, extensive knowledge of the nonprofit community and experience in turning ideas into action.

At PVF, our Donor Venture Funds are as varied as our donors. In 2006, donors’ areas of interest included education, arts and culture, the environment, health, poverty, youth, eco-travel projects and international causes. At the recommendation of individual, family, foundation and corporate donors, PVF’s Donor Venture Funds distributed grants of more than $2 million in 2006.

“We are in Tanzania, visiting the site of a soon-to-be-established model secondary girls school that may well change how young women in Africa are educated and prepared for leadership. This project couldn't be happening without PVF's willingness to support truly innovative ideas. As usual, PVF does with ease what others consider difficult.” — Peter and Jane Carpenter, longtime PVF donors, Carpenter Family Fund
Filipina mother harvesting - Ecology Action