Introducing philanthropy courses for charities

Mark PetersenCourses

Stronger Philanthropy is pleased to announce its first course: Design and Submit a Fantastic Grant Application. This course was created for charity leaders responsible for raising funds for their charity, and provides a revealing window into how family foundations think and make granting decisions. This 13-module course offers over 2 hours of instructional video content, plus a model grant proposal, … Read More

For clarity, go surfing

Nathan PetersenGenerations, Succession, Vision

Almost nine months ago I took a leap of faith when I decided to leave Stronger Philanthropy and sell my condo in downtown Toronto. Like many, the pandemic left me feeling depressed, burnt out from endless zoom calls, and confused about life both socially and politically. The worldview that I entered the pandemic with did not stand up to the … Read More

Shattered, a story about generational legacy

Mark PetersenBook Reviews, Generations

Last evening, sitting alone in a dark room in my old New Brunswick Victorian house, and listening to The Fabulous Thunderbirds on my iphone, I finished a book. It was the perfect soundtrack, suggested by the author’s story of hearing this blues band on an outing with his father. Arthur Boers’ devastating and vulnerable memoir Shattered somehow struck a chord with … Read More

Succession in families and the value of history

Mark PetersenFamily Systems, Leadership, Succession

As we turn our attention this weekend to the coronation of King Charles III of Canada, I’ll be attending a garden party at the home of dear clients. I read an article this morning which roots this moment into our historical reality as a nation: King Charles is as Canadian as maple syrup. It’s a great article written by an … Read More

Developing community in philanthropy

Mark PetersenApp, Community, Generosity

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

Connecting money to mission

Mark PetersenGrantmaking, Strategy, Vision

Major donors have investments that are earmarked for charitable purposes. But lately I’ve been wondering how to unlock that value. Philanthropy offers a way to see invested funds create social change. It happens through surrender – giving it away. As one surrenders capital, and trusts a valued charity, those investments are channeled into lives changed: education received, capacity built, vision … Read More

Transformed by Generosity

Mark PetersenNews

Stronger Philanthropy has focused in the past on helping its clients to love giving well. But as our group has evolved over the past few years, we’ve realized that the ‘love giving well’ tagline doesn’t encompass all that we want to achieve. Increasingly Stronger Philanthropy finds itself located in the middle ground between major donors and charity leaders, acting as … Read More

Learn How Stronger Philanthropy Brings Charities and Donors Together

Mark PetersenEvents

Over the past few years, Stronger Philanthropy has changed the services it offers to charities and major donors alike. We have become a new type of firm that straddles the middle ground between charities and major donors. We exist to bring together these groups for mutual benefit. Our philosophy is grounded in the concept that philanthropy is about more than money. … Read More