Arabella Philanthropic Investment Advisors

For Immediate Release Contact: Jed Shein

December 3, 2007 312-755-3504

Arabella Advisors Identifies Charitable Issues Overlooked and Underfunded

High-Impact Giving Opportunities Inaugural List

WASHINGTON, DC – Whether looking to make that year end charitable donation or planning for 2008 giving, donors now have a guide to finding the issues where their dollar will best be used.

Arabella Philanthropic Investment Advisors released its list of the top ten under-recognized but urgent philanthropic issues in the inaugural High-Impact Giving Opportunities: Philanthropy that Makes a Difference. This list, recommended by an advisory group of nationally-recognized philanthropists, highlights smart giving issues for donors, whether they are able to give $100, $100,000 or $1 million.

“Both individual and corporate donors are getting more strategic about their charitable giving,” explained Arabella Advisors founder and principal Eric Kessler. “Making sure donations have impact and that donors are really making a difference is becoming a greater priority. This list is an invaluable start to helping donors reach their goals.”

With corporations more accountable for charitable spending and donors making headlines for large gifts to community and international organizations, Arabella Advisors contends that philanthropic investments deserve the same level of strategic analysis as financial investments.

“Whether interested in healthcare, education, poverty reduction or environmental protection, looking to these high-impact opportunities will ensure that your donation makes a difference,” said Chicago-based principal and managing director Bruce Boyd.

Improving Financial Literacy for America’s Youth, for example, makes the list. According to a recent study, 60 percent of pre-teens cannot explain the difference between cash, checks and credit cards. Donor attention to programs teaching financial management is critical to helping our next generation get jobs, stay out of debt and contribute to the economic welfare of our society.

College graduates are three times less likely to live in poverty than people who complete high school. Providing assistance to Support First Generation College Attendees is a unique alternative to traditional alumni giving.

Internationally, there are many areas of the developing world lacking access to clean water. Supporting efforts to Provide Safe Water and Sanitation in the Developing World will reduce childhood mortality and promote adult health, while helping to alleviate global poverty.

“Clean water in the developing world, for example, is not a novel concept,” explained Kessler. “But it is grossly underfunded by governments and with a little effort, philanthropic donors can turn around the health and prosperity of villages and entire regions.”

Other issues on the list include:

Combating Poverty by Closing the Microcredit Gap - In Bangladesh, 48% of the poorest households with access to microcredit loans rose above the poverty line. Donors can reinforce these gains by filling in the gap between small microcredit loans and larger-scale commercial finance that will allow small business entrepreneurs to take the next step to growing their businesses into viable enterprises.
Improving Access to Dental Care for Low-Income Children - Lack of access to dental care can impair children’s ability to eat, learn, smile, sleep and play. Innovative opportunities for donors will raise awareness of this issue and bring quality health services to children in need.
Promoting Renewal in New Orleans through Arts and Culture - Investing in the city's once thriving arts community not only preserves one of the nation's most treasured cultural communities, but also provides valuable economic returns to the city's tourist and arts-based economy.
Improving Energy Efficiency in Low-Income Communities to Fight Climate Change - Investments in energy efficiency and weatherization programs can significantly reduce pollution and heating bills by 31% for the average low-income home, thus helping both families and the environment.
Increasing Access to Financial Services for the “Unbanked” - Supporting community-based organizations that educate the unbanked and fund innovative practices that provide them with assistance will positively impact the financial future of millions of households.
Developing Local Food Systems to Save Energy, Promote Health and Create Local Jobs - Supporting local food systems reduces pollution, creates jobs, and promotes healthy eating in an increasingly unhealthy society.
Facilitating Trust-Building to Prevent Violent Conflicts - Investments in international conflict-prevention programs can help address root causes of conflict before they escalate to full-scale violence.

About Arabella Advisors

Arabella Philanthropic Investment Advisors, a philanthropic consulting firm, works with donors who care deeply about the causes they support and want their contributions to make a measurable difference. Arabella Advisors provides strategic guidance designed individually for each client’s needs, believing that philanthropic investments deserve the same level of planning, analysis and oversight as financial investments. The firm is committed to unbiased analysis that helps donors support critical issues and effective nonprofits with confidence. Arabella Advisors’ expertise and insights transform philanthropic goals into results.

Headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in Chicago and New York, Arabella Advisors provides counsel to individuals, corporations and family foundations across the country. The High-Impact Giving Opportunities: Philanthropy that Makes a Difference list is the first in what will be an annual series. For more information, visit www.arabellaadvisors.com.

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