Lessons Learned from Promoters of Philanthropy:
Tracy Gary, Alan MacGregor and Debbie Bussell (5/06)
1.) Understand that running/managing coalitions is hard work that takes a long time to pay off. The coalition should have paid and trained staff (and consistent volunteers) so that there is continuity in the depth of the work of the coalition over time (8-10 years in my opinion). Be sure the staff are great communicators & organizers. Have clear job descriptions.
2.) Think in terms of individual donor engagement—meeting donors where they are and inspiring them to move along in their own way. Don’t approach donors with an agenda of “the right way” to give or the “right place/org/person” to give to. This doesn’t mean that you have to be neutral about demonstrating the impact they could have in the world but it does mean suspending judgment about what inspires people to be generous and how they choose to express that generosity.
3.) Avoid being neutral—the message of philanthropy for philanthropy’s sake is a dead end. Tie the promotion of philanthropy to making the community, the world, etc. a better, more just & compassionate place.
4.) Think in terms of what would be a critical mass of donors, advisors, exec. Directors, community leaders, etc. who get philanthropy and focus some resources on getting them fully informed and equipped to be the advocates for philanthropy that you need. You have to this of work as organizing donors in the same way you might organize labor.
5.) Don’t ignore religious giving—most people do it and it can be a springboard to a fuller sense of giving for people.
6) Support the capacity building of public charities such as women funds that can be great training grounds for donors. If women are not explicitly a population being organized, they have proven to be key in most other coalitions.
7) Be a project of the whole community—try not to get too
segregated. Keep exchanging as a learning community and
cross pollinate people, ideas and speakers.
8) Use the process of building philanthropy to “transform” the community by:
• Connect to a vision of a just, culturally vibrant and economically sustainable place
• Understand and build on local assets
• Connect community based-philanthropy and community-based development
• Use the process to build more inclusive community by honoring everyone’s giving traditions, asking everyone to give, and give every community power
• Cross race and class lines & collaborate in new ways
• Engage young people in the “real” work of philanthropy
• Treat donors of wealth as a constituency with needs beyond check writing – learning, self actualization, community, cross-class/race experience.
9) Be innovative, creative, persistent, visible and consistent.
Let your community know you are also working to strengthen the nonprofit sector and that you want donors of all levels, and government, foundations and corporations as well, to do their fair share. We are about raising new leadership & dollars and expanding the effectiveness of advisors and legacy leaders.
10) Mix up your constituents and networks: people of different classes and races, religions, or spiritual traditions enjoy learning from each other. We are about a cultural shift in our work. It begins with learning about where giving and sharing and caring are for each of us. Get curious. Pay attention to the dreamers, big and small.
11) Youth and women are likely to be the voices that tip things.
12) Raise money based on GREAT ideas and vision for your communities, but BE DILIGENT re deliverables, and analysis, and execution. This cannot be done with budgets that are not solid, or without focused time, and team accountability. Build for the long haul AND be willing to change course (be disciplined here..) if not working,
Build in careful evaluations. If not the right leadership, or approach, we must help get realigned. Get outside facilitation if cascading towards
Doing too much for too many. Get focused again on the highest priorities for success. Pay attention to your business model and prioritize your own fundraising & deliverables and your teams’ commitment to excellence.
Share best practices, generously. Beg, borrow and use each other’s best
Ideas, BUT credit carefully! Use new technologies (CD roms? Social networking, teleconference calls with powerpoints, music, radio/ access TV. Imagine a 24 hour cable charity channel for all your good works.