The transformative effect of technology on philanthropy is a frequent topic of conversation in journals and at conferences. These discussions often cover how technological innovation is changing the practice of philanthropy and the relationships between donors and non-profits. However, there is less discussion of what donors are actually learning from these new tools.

A key role of philanthropic advisers is to facilitate learning opportunities for their clients. In ‘What is success for a philanthropy adviser?’ (Alliance, June 2010), Felicitas von Peter and Michael Alberg-Seberich correctly raise the bar for advisers by saying that client learning is as important as traditional philanthropic goals such as ‘impact’ and ‘scaling’. This leaves those of us who incorporate new technology into our practices with the question of how best to use technology to facilitate learning.