Is the Value of Place Declining in Philanthropy?

Is the Value of Place Declining in Philanthropy?

All of us walk around with default lenses through which we view the world. The lenses are created through our experiences and relationships, the communities and cultures in which we’re raised, and more. When we’re at our best, we’re able to separate when those default lenses provide helpful perspectives and when they limit our thinking. One of my [...]

Revealing Risk in Philanthropy – part 1

Revealing Risk in Philanthropy – part 1

Inviting Your Feedback! Hey there – The National Center for Family Philanthropy and I are asking for your thoughts on risk in philanthropy. For donors and grantmakers: What type of risk most concerns your board and staff? When does philanthropy feel most risky to you? For nonprofits: What types of risk seem to most concern [...]

Trust the People, No Strings Attached

Trust the People, No Strings Attached

It would be easy to believe that most grantmaking is complex, even to believe it should be complex. Read the philanthropy news sources. Funders are praised for their wall-sized strategy maps, multi-year evaluation projects, and drive for scientific evidence and stellar nonprofit performance. Attend nonprofit and fundraising conferences. Multi-step application processes, long application reviews, and [...]

Philanthropy in all of its Humanness

The only bond worth anything between human beings is their humanness. – Jesse Owens The April 2015 issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy provided an interesting study in contrasting approaches to giving and fundraising. The Chronicle covered the release of ethicist Peter Singer’s new book The Most Good You Can Do: How Effective Altruism is [...]