Value of Collaborative Philanthropy Spotlighted by Arnold McClellan

PHILADELPHIA, PA, April 17, 2013

Arnold McClellan, a devoted philanthropist and noted tax professional, understands that people engage in charitable activities for numerous reasons. Traditionally, individuals opt to write a check or donate their time to non-profit organizations; however, as a recent article published by Forbes brings to light, there are ways in which individuals can strategically partner with one another in order to generate more significant results from their charitable activity. Here, McClellan responds to the article with a press statement.

The article explains the strategy behind Oceans 5, which is an organization that was founded by multiple individuals interested in reducing overfishing and increasing the area of marine reserves: "As a newcomer with more passion for an issue than in-depth knowledge, the road to success can lead to working with like-minded philanthropists and foundations from whom you can learn. So before you invest time and money developing your own expertise in an area of interest, consider collaborating with other more experienced funders and learning from them."

Shared knowledge and collective funding are the keys to making these endeavors work, and this model has succeeded for multiple organizations. The goal is to maximize the resources that individuals have at their disposal without requiring them to spend time and money educating themselves regarding a particular facet of the issue in which they are interested.

Kristian Parker, cofounder of Oceans 5 and chair of Oak Foundation, explains: "Oceans 5 was an opportunity to reach out to less experienced foundations and philanthropists to share what we have learned in our 12-plus years of grantmaking in marine conservation. We hoped that for foundations that did not intend to hire specialized staff, Oceans 5 would provide a safe, well-informed platform from which to invest their philanthropic time and money."

McClellan believes that this model of giving can prove quite successful if done right, especially for younger individuals who have not yet built up expertise in any one area. "This is a very interesting way for young professionals, in particular, to get involved in philanthropic endeavors in a strategic manner," asserts Arnold McClellan. "By leveraging their expertise with others in the field, and by partnering with those who have functional experience, it is clear that significant results can be achieved."

Arnold McClellan encourages individuals and companies that are interested in engaging in philanthropic activity to consider using this collaborative approach.

ABOUT:

Arnold McClellan is a tax professional who has a strong background building valuable client relationships on a global level. A leader in his field, McClellan has served on numerous committees for national, regional, and international practices while building local teams to address the needs of clientele. With the ability to engage in business strategy while offering technical insight, McClellan is a highly regarded professional who has served his clients well since beginning his career. A dedicated philanthropist, McClellan serves on the Board of Governors for the San Francisco Boys and Girls Club. Additionally, he has been involved in numerous other local charitable activities.