You wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint.
So why approach your philanthropy without a strategy?
It doesn’t matter if you’re leading a family foundation, a corporate giving program, a community foundation, or giving personally. Too often, funders engage in philanthropy reactively—responding to issues, crises, or donation requests without a clear, strategic philanthropy plan to guide their decisions.
At first glance, it feels generous. Responsive. Even noble.
But over time, the hidden costs of giving without a strategic philanthropy framework become undeniable.
The Truth: Good Intentions Are Not Enough in Strategic Philanthropy
In my book Delusional Altruism, I explain how the biggest obstacle philanthropists face isn’t a lack of generosity—it’s unintentionally getting in their own way.
Without a strategic philanthropy approach:
- We scramble at the end of the year to meet donation deadlines.
- We say yes to nonprofits out of guilt, habit, or convenience.
- We renew grants without reevaluating their true impact.
All types of donors fall into this trap:
- A corporate foundation might fund community projects that make good headlines but have no real link to their mission or long-term strategy.
- A community foundation might juggle dozens of donor-advised interests, ending up with a diluted and disjointed grants portfolio.
- A family foundation might renew the same grantees year after year without reassessing whether those investments align with their evolving goals.
Have you seen yourself—or your organization—somewhere in there?
No judgment! You’re in good company.
Without Strategic Philanthropy, Generosity Loses Its Power
The real cost of reactive, ad-hoc giving isn’t always obvious at first. But it eventually shows up:
- You feel scattered and stretched thin.
- Staff, board, and family members grow frustrated, operating reactively instead of strategically.
- Grantees feel unsupported and uncertain about your priorities.
- Impact becomes diffuse, harder to measure, and ultimately less transformational.
Without a strategic philanthropy plan, even the best intentions can erode the very change you set out to create.
Strategic Philanthropy Is Your Anchor
Here’s the good news:
Strategic philanthropy doesn’t slow you down—it accelerates your impact.
Whether you’re developing a family giving plan, a foundation strategy, or a sunset plan for spending down assets, a clear roadmap:
- Saves time
- Reduces decision fatigue
- Minimizes stress
- Dramatically amplifies your effectiveness
Strategic philanthropy anchors you when life feels chaotic.
It empowers you to say “yes” with clarity and “no” without guilt.
Most importantly, it transforms your giving from reactive responses to intentional, future-focused investments in change.
It’s Never Too Late—or Too Early—to Embrace Strategic Philanthropy
You don’t need a 300-page strategy document or months of planning meetings to start embracing strategic philanthropy.
In the coming weeks, I’ll share simple ways to shift from reactive to strategic giving—whether you’re leading a foundation, overseeing a corporate giving program, or giving personally.
But if you can’t wait—and you’re ready to create a strategic philanthropy plan right now—I’d be happy to help.
Schedule a complimentary call and let’s explore the best next steps for you and your organization.
Because the world doesn’t need you to simply give more.
It needs you to give with clarity, courage, and purpose.
