Yup - you read correctly a Mutual Fund of charities.  What is this you ask?

It is a grouping of organizations that, when combined, will achieve as specific social outcome.  This social outcome has specific benchmarks that the organizations are measured against, and they can be both qualitative and quantitative.

For example, you have an interest in international development, specifically on access to medicine and other treatments.  You could give to just one charity that is addressing the issue, or you could give a combination gift that addresses key aspects of the medical issue. 

The purpose behind creating a charitable mutual fund is to leverage your single donation to generate greater impact.  Your one donation can be "deepened" by the complimentary agencies that you also support.

In the case of the International Development Mutual Fund a combination of an advocacy organization, a front-line service provider and a general funding body would be powerful combination.

How?

By investing some funds in advocacy work, you are supporting the issue that is of utmost importance to you.  You are enabling the issue to be put front-and-centre with those in power who can influence change on a national and international level.  This then allows the front-line agency that you are supporting greater access to additional resources (financial, intellectual and human).  This then creates the ripple effect that affects the other organizations supported by the general fund that you are supporting.  By mixing up your philanthropy within one cause you are leveraging your donations.

A sample portfolio of charities might look like:

1. Results Canada or Results USA (advocacy)
2. Centre for Affordable Water Sanitation Technologies (health works with mutiple partner agencies
3. A Unicef Water Project (front-line funder)
4. Medecins sans Frontieres/Doctors without Borders (front-line operator)

What does your charity combination look like? Share your giving portfolio @DexterityCon.