Social-Service Group’s Potential to Do More Inspires Donor to Give

Carol Wheeler thinks of the charities she supports as relationships—and she likes to go slowly.

“My feeling is that we need to get to know each other. It takes time to develop people into generous donors. Eventually the contributions will catch up with the enthusiasm,” says Ms. Wheeler, who two years ago joined the national board of The Arc(No. 149 on the Philanthropy 400), which advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Ms. Wheeler, who has a 27-year-old son with Williams Syndrome, notes that her relationship with the Arc is a relatively new one.

While she’d long been involved in supporting an array of nonprofits—such as Washington’s N Street Village, which serves low-income and homeless women—none were specific to the intellectual-disability world.

“I felt guilty about that,” says Ms. Wheeler, who was once a member of the President’s Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities. “As I began my belated research, I kept running into The Arc again and again.”

Ms. Wheeler says that while she was impressed by The Arc’s track record in assisting parents and advocating for people with intellectual disabilities, it was the group’s potential that really moved her: “There are 700 state and local Arc chapters. Can you imagine how much more can be done if they’re working together?”

While their relationship may be new—she declines to reveal how much she donates to the organization—Ms. Wheeler has already taken the important step of introducing The Arc to some of her friends.

She and her husband held a get-acquainted event at their Washington home over the summer. While they invited friends who had a personal connection to the work the charity does, they also tried to reach beyond that community.

“Part of The Arc’s message is that if you’re trying to fix a social problem and you ignore the population that The Arc is serving, you’re leaving millions of people behind,” says Ms. Wheeler.

That message resonated with the couple’s guests, including a neighbor who left a generous check at the door.

“I know very few people who enjoy asking their friends for donations, but that’s how the world works,” Ms. Wheeler says “If you really care and are determined to do something about an issue, you ask your friends.”

When she gives, Ms. Wheeler’s favorite kind of gift acknowledgment is one unaccompanied by a new appeal for money.

“The thank you that comes without an envelope means the most,” she says.

She especially appreciates when a thank you comes directly from someone who is benefiting from her donation.

“Not only do I get to hear the person’s story, but I have an opportunity to forge a direct connection,” says Ms. Wheeler.

“That’s the kind of direct exposure to the impact of the work that makes me want to contribute more.”

This article was corrected from an earlier version that stated Ms. Wheeler was still serving on the President’s Committee for People With Intellectual Disabilities.