Not all generosity looks the same. Some major donors give strategically and measure outcomes. Others respond to stories and relationships. Some focus on immediate needs, while others invest in long-term systemic change. The truth is simple: there are many different giving styles. The most effective philanthropy happens when your approach to giving matches the systems, tools, and opportunities you use. … Read More
Surprising truths from the World Giving Report
Generosity is a value that is an aspiration for all peoples throughout the world. And surprisingly, in the just-released World Giving Report produced by the Charities Aid Foundation, we gain a picture of generosity that blows apart some commonly-held assumptions. Myth 1: The most wealthy countries are the most generous. This myth is flipped on its head in the report. … Read More
Developing community in philanthropy
Leadership guru Margaret J. Wheatley is an academic and researcher on organizational development who made an impact on me during my DLd studies. Her book, Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time, introduces a framework for the development of authentic communities of praxis in which members grow in confidence and impact as they journey together. She encourages leaders to … Read More
Giving during turbulence
Recent months have been volatile with dramatic geopolitical events, financial markets expressing uncertainty, and the underpinnings of our society seeming to come unglued. Emotions are high. How should generous people respond during these times? When life gets crazy, many of us are tempted to hunker down and wait for the storms to pass. It’s a natural reaction. Gather your loved … Read More