Inside Philanthropy’s Post

How can we reimagine donor relationships to unlock more giving from the wealthy? 🧐 Really enjoyed reading this fresh perspective in Inside Philanthropy through the lens of expert philanthropy advisor, David Callahan asking why the wealthy don’t give more❓ While some high-net-worth individuals are deeply engaged in philanthropy, many others remain cautious… ➡️Trust Gap: The ultra-wealthy seek concrete proof their donations drive real change. ➡️Investor Mindset: Modern philanthropists view giving as impact investments, expecting measurable returns. ➡️Fear Factor: Surprisingly, many wealthy donors fear public scrutiny and potential backlash. Professionals in the philanthropic sector must evolve to engage the wealthy in philanthropy and ensure their contributions make a lasting impact! #Philanthropy #Fundraising #ImpactInvesting #GivingBack #StrategicPhilanthropy

This will widen some eyes. An validate what so many have been saying for some time. The cover article from SSIR states: "When it comes to solving our society’s most urgent challenges, however, strategic philanthropy—philanthropic initiatives intended to create lasting solutions to societal problems—has been astonishingly ineffective. Over the past four decades, US philanthropic giving has expanded exponentially, while most social or environmental problems have persisted or worsened. This failure of strategic philanthropy, we believe, is rooted in a set of assumptions that originated more than a century ago and still shape our nonprofit sector today: that the beneficiaries of philanthropic support are incapable of solving their own problems, that wealthy donors have the wisdom and incentive to solve society’s many challenges, and that the social sector is an effective alternative to government in building an equitable and sustainable society." #philanthropy #impactinvesting #socialfinance #feministbiz https://lnkd.in/g4MNPKvr

Very insightful article. A couple of specific points I note: "Philanthropy can foster self-determination through peer-driven change that encourages individual success while neutralizing destructive and racist social narratives that impede progress." And, "We must support people in finding their own solutions, boosting their sense of agency, and supporting them in building their own communities." I invite your thoughts. #communityleddevelopment #bettertogether #selfdetermination

In my seminal work "Philanthropy in Bosnia and Herzegovina" I raised a question: Strategic or humanitarian philanthropy? Wrong question. Right question: Strategic or empowering philanthropy? Shorter answer: Empowering. Longer answer: Philanthropy is love for the human(kind). This implies focusing on the people, not programs. It also implies respecting the autonomy and dignity of nonprofits' beneficiaries. Instead of paternlizing, philanthropists should empowering people in need. More about the argument in the link below.

If this post on Trust Based Philanthropy weren't written by the inimitable Dan Goldenberg, I suspect I would've written it off without really reading it in earnest. I've had this conversation in person with Dan and he raises some interesting points. Dan is incredibly dedicated to impact and takes his work very seriously. I love this sentence especially much: "Funding well-known but underachieving nonprofits and starving quantifiably high-performing organizations makes little sense if the goal is to help more people get the services they need." What are your thoughts about Dan's experience with Trust Based Philanthropy?

'Strategic philanthropy' is a bit of a catch phrase which encompasses top-down approaches to philanthropy that can impose solutions on communities instead of empowering community self-determination. This is a well researched article on the shortcomings of so-called strategic approaches to philanthropy: "philanthropists’ most effective role might not be to devise solutions to societal problems but rather to underwrite an open-ended process for change"... https://lnkd.in/g53yXWhN Philanthropy New Zealand, Community Foundations Australia, The Global Fund for Community Foundations #communityfoundations #philanthropy #communityselfdetermination

An intermediary can take on various roles and serve different purposes without a clear, universal definition. In #philanthropy, these organizations are often mission-driven, connecting #donors like individuals, foundations, and companies with those delivering charitable services to their community. This article from Stanford Social Innovation Review discusses the emerging trend of accountable intermediaries in philanthropy, emphasizing their role in enhancing #transparency and effectiveness within the sector. Learn more about the role of philanthropic intermediaries as a vehicle for meaningful change ⤵ https://lnkd.in/eEgp5Czz

Philanthropy can be a powerful force for good, but it often falls short when it comes to addressing systemic issues. It's crucial that philanthropic organizations include voices from underserved communities in their decision-making processes. Those with lived experiences bring invaluable insights and a deeper understanding of the root causes of social challenges. Looking forward to reading Rob Reich's book Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better https://lnkd.in/eFFgpmRF

Why is trust-based philanthropy wasting billions of dollars and is there a better alternative? The Call of Duty Endowment’s Executive Director, @Dan Goldenberg, answers this question by explaining the differences between accountability- and trust-based philanthropy while identifying five key insights to deliver stronger results. Get a better understanding of how philanthropy can maximize social impact by checking out Goldenberg’s article on Philanthropy.com

Excited to share our latest blog post featuring a conversation with President of NEO Philanthropy Michele Lord, and Margarita (Magui) Rubalcava, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships on their thoughts on the RWJF report, "Working With Intermediaries Strategically". As philanthropic practice is reexamined through a racial equity and social justice lens, foundations are taking a fresh look at intermediaries as a potentially fundamental component of strategy. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gFvRmhVh #Philanthropy #RacialEquity #SocialJustice #Intermediaries What are your thoughts on the evolving role of intermediaries in philanthropy? Share your insights and join the conversation!