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Philanthropy Services

Bridging personal values to lasting legacies

At Dawn Franks Strategic Solutions, we focus on you: who you are, why you give, and how to achieve your philanthropic goals. Whether you’re an individual, a family, a business, or a family foundation, you are at the center of our work.

We facilitate deep discussions to create a shared vision. By collaborating closely with funders and grant-makers, we explore innovative ideas that drive outcomes. Our expertise in guiding productive dialogue and decision-making ensures that diverse voices are heard, fostering trust and maintaining focus on the goals.

Dawn Franks serves as an invaluable thought partner throughout the entire process. She helps you navigate challenges, asks the tough questions you might avoid, and explores new ideas to gain fresh insights and perspectives.

When you need to bridge the gap between giving and nonprofits capable of achieving meaningful impact, Dawn Franks Strategic Solutions is the ideal choice.

How Dawn guided one man’s vision

Philanthropy Areas of Focus

Consulting and
Strategic Planning

  • How can you determine if you are achieving your giving goals?

  • Do your core values and vision align with your giving strategies?

  • Are you prepared to adapt to changing circumstances?
  • Strategic Planning: Conduct formal planning focused on mission, clear direction, strategies and giving management.

  • Advisory Research: Serve as a key advisor and work seamlessly alongside you or your team to conduct nonprofit research and assessments. Dawn Franks can serve as your designated spokesperson.

  • Generational Alignment: Build bridges between generations, facilitating family relationships that nurture and grow a lasting giving legacy.

  • Succession Planning: Prepare future foundation leadership, through customized succession planning, ensuring continuity of your philanthropic vision.

  • Formalized Giving Agreements: Craft donor agreements that formalize your intent and expectations for significant giving.

  • Legacy Statements: Create legacy letters for the next generation or formal statements for foundation board members and advisors. We work with you to preserve the history and document your intent for a lasting giving legacy.

  • Startup and Transitional Needs: Plan for starting a foundation and assist with transitions from informal giving to structured grantmaking.

Leadership and
Executive Coaching

  • What challenges do you face as the leader of a robust giving program?

  • Have you identified key issues in leading staff and evaluating services?

  • Are you fostering the right culture to achieve the impact you intend?

  • Executive Mindset: Facilitate sessions that set clear goals, develop effective strategies, and foster a mindset for greater impact.

  • Engagement Approach: Coach key foundation leaders in navigating change with attention to cultural diversity and community building, empowering them to inspire and mobilize others. 

Giving Intent Documentation and Communication

  • Are you concerned that your estate plans will be carried out according to your wishes?

  • Have you prepared the next generation to assume their roles as stewards of the estate?

  • Are your estate plans up to date?

  • Periodic Estate Updating: Evaluate and update the organizations in your estate plan to ensure they reflect your current values and intentions.

  • Your Thought Partner: Serve as a sounding board for discussions on charitable directives, ensuring your wishes are honored and your legacy is thoughtfully preserved.

Evaluation and
Impact Tracking

  • Are the organizations you support maintaining meaningful impact over time?

  • Are you receiving the right data to evaluate that impact effectively?

  • Do you feel confident your gifts are maximized?

  • Impact Evaluation: Assess and systematically track the effectiveness of your donations to ensure they meet your intended outcomes and align with organizational goals.

  • Data Analysis: Interpret data to provide insights into how well your donations are supporting meaningful change and achieving desired results.

  • Strategy Alignment: Ensure your giving strategies are continuously adapted to maximize impact and reflect your evolving goals and plans.
I help others align giving with their values to achieve meaningful goals and maximize impact.
I was honored to work with Peaches Owen and her family foundation to support education, health, and faith-based causes.
My journey from nonprofit leadership to helping philanthropists give with purpose began while working with Fred Smith.

My Philanthropy Background:

A Gift for Making Dreams Come True

Dawn Franks blends nonprofit and philanthropic expertise, offering a deep understanding of funding from both perspectives. At the Fourth Partner Foundation, she strengthened nonprofit leadership and enhanced grantmaking outcomes.

She has guided families in managing private foundations, addressing generational values and family dynamics with sensitivity and logic. As founder of Your Philanthropy, LLC, Dawn supported foundations and individual donors in achieving their goals through strategic giving and legacy planning.

As principal of Dawn Franks Strategic Solutions, she continues to help clients craft meaningful legacies with trusted guidance.