Chic Spotlight: Ignite Philanthropy Advisors
 |
| Susan Ingmire |
Cincy Chic: What inspired you to launch Ignite Philanthropy Advisors?
Susan Ingmire, President of Ignite Philanthropy Advisors:Ignite was founded with one very important purpose: to advance each client’s unique charitable giving goals. Our vision is to align generous giving with strategic impact to create joy and ignite change.
Cincy Chic: What’s the concept of the business today?
Ingmire: Ignite Philanthropy Advisors is an independent philanthropic consulting firm that works collaboratively with individuals, families, organizations and foundations to help them achieve their unique giving goals in innovative and practical ways. Ignite specializes in strategic, administrative and grantmaking services and in short-term projects for philanthropic individuals. For example, we help coach new philanthropists as they learn to evaluate nonprofit organizations. Services are confidential and customized.
Our company is guided by the following principles and values:
- High trust, high integrity
- Confidentiality and discretion
- Fierce commitment to client service
- Continuous learning and client education
- Flexibility and the capacity to be nimble
- Unlimited access to our team
- Up-to-date technology
- An understanding of our role as advisors (not decision-makers).
Cincy Chic:Who benefits from the services of Ignite Philanthropy Advisors and how do they benefit from your services?
Ingmire: Ignite currently advises on charitable assets of over $100 million. Our clients are located in multiple states and include CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, well-established grantmaking foundations ranging from $2 million to $30 million in assets, retirees and entrepreneurs, corporations seeking to align giving and cause-related marketing, and nonprofit organizations ready to focus and grow their mission.
We offer services in two major categories:
Short-term philanthropic planning projects for new or transitioning grantmaking organizations.
Ongoing strategic, grantmaking, research, evaluation, and administrative services customized to the needs of the unique clients we serve.
Cincy Chic: What are some notable successes you’ve experienced with your business?
Ingmire: Our greatest successes come in the form of satisfied clients. We are passionate about our work and our clients’ successes become our own. Helping someone achieve their vision for change is a fabulous life-affirming occupation! For example, Ignite recently helped a private foundation client achieve more impact by setting up a request for proposal process. This resulted in new ideas, better research, an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of applicant organizations, and timely financial reports from our grants management software. As a result, the foundation successfully allocated over $300,000 to 13 organizations that serve individuals with mental and physical disabilities and their families. At Ignite, we empower both new and seasoned philanthropists to experience the joy of giving by thoughtfully improving the world around us.
Cincy Chic: Why is Ignite Philanthropy Advisors a “group to know”?
Ingmire: First of all, we’re a fun and talented team. We are each motivated by our personal commitment to make the world better. We all volunteer as well as work in philanthropy. And we’re experienced at what we do. We go deep with our clients – becoming their philanthropic staff and trusted advisors. Our long-term clients frequently say, “How did we get along without you?” We love what we do – and it shows!
Cincy Chic: What’s new on the horizon for Ignite Philanthropy Advisors?
Ingmire: Grantmaking, like many professions, is not static. Best practices emerge constantly. Part of our role is to stay abreast of trends in the field and to bring new ideas to our clients. For example, we hope soon to offer a new software tool called Financial SCAN which allows us to assess an organization’s financial condition and future resource needs in a multi-year report that also compares an organization’s performance to its peers. At Ignite we know that understanding an organization’s financial health is increasingly important to our clients.
Cincy Chic: Where can our readers go to learn more about Ignite Philanthropy Advisors?
Ingmire: Please visit our website at www.ignitephilanthropy.com, call us at (513) 351-1945, or email at singmire@ignitephilanthropy.com.
