The Power of Small Gifts

TPI firmly believes that there are many situations where small is better.  What are the advantages of small gifts and what makes a small gift effective?  Here are some ideas.

Focus – A small gift requires more focus and strategy in order to make an impact.

Appropriate scale – Gifts must be appropriate to an organization’s scale.  Too much money for a small organization can be overwhelming.  Smaller amounts for small organizations will ensure change happens at a manageable pace.

Efficiency – Small, targeted gifts provide little opportunity for waste.

Connection – Effective small gifts often require a personal connection and engagement– e.g., employee volunteerism can profoundly augment the value of a monetary gift.

Investment in People – Many small gifts are investments in people, often in the form of scholarships, awards, matching gifts or small grants to teachers or community change agents.  There is a strong case to be made that all change begins at the individual level.

Leverage – The best small gifts provide impetus for leverage – e.g., seed a new idea, fund an experiment, find funding partners and think strategically about where to get leverage.