Author Archive:
The Philanthropic Initiative
2014 Exponent Philanthropy Conference – amidst the jugglers
We just spent a few energizing days with over 1,000 ‘master jugglers’ (Exponent Philanthropy has created a one-year Master Juggler Executive Institute for senior staff). These are individuals who are turning big audacious ideas for …
Moving towards strategic family philanthropy
This is the second post in a series by Ellen Remmer on strategic family philanthropy. Read her first post, Strategic family philanthropy – an oxymoron? I’m a big believer in strategic philanthropy; again, stemming from …
Strategic family philanthropy – an oxymoron?
I have a confession. I’m a prosetelyzer and I’m an evangelist… for strategic family philanthropy. I caught the bug when my own family discovered the joys of working together on our family foundation, and it’s become …
Remember social capital?
It’s back. Suddenly I am seeing social capital everywhere and thinking a lot about how philanthropy can cultivate or kill it. I first noticed it at Associated Grantmakers’ Annual Meeting a few weeks ago, where …
What business do community foundations have in business?
What business does a community foundation have hawking for-profit deals to its donors and other community members? How does it improve the quality of life in their community? How does it promote the spirit and …
Road blocks on the path to strategic giving
Given all the opportunities donors have to move themselves to a higher level of strategic thinking and giving, why do some donors never get there or get stuck, particularly at the ‘getting it’ stage? Why …
Off the beaten path – things to consider
Every donor takes a different strategic journey and, though many pass through similar stages, there are important factors that defy categorization by stage because they can be influential at so many different points in time. …
Steps in the strategic journey
Whether you are an advisor working to help a donor achieve more or you are a donor interested in better positioning yourself to move up the philanthropic curve, understanding the stages along the journey to …
Impact investing – are we finally at the next frontier?
Many foundations share the frustration that philanthropy’s impact is limited relative to the big-dollar potential of the business and government sectors. When Wal-Mart decides to change to hybrid-fueled vehicles, the impact dwarfs most of what …
Is passion still relevant in effective philanthropy?
In a field buzzing with the drive to collect data, measure results, and support ‘what works’, it is becoming exceedingly uncomfortable to appear to derail discussions on the science of philanthropy by introducing the P-word. …
