The church shootings that took place in Charleston, SC were horrific, especially for those directly touched by the violence and hatred that spawned the attack. The same is true for Baltimore, Ferguson, and every other place where the emotions of residents overflow into protests or violence. Perhaps the most frightening thing of all is that […]
Stop, Look and Listen: 3 Steps for Responding to a Community Crisis Read More »
In my experience, few words strike fear in the hearts of foundation grantees like the following, when dropped by a program officer’s lips: We’re about to start a strategic planning process. Aarrrgh! Nooooo! I can almost hear the screams of terror here in my top-secret vacation retreat spot. And who can blame them? A funder
How to Strike Fear in the Hearts of Grantees Read More »
There are many rules of thumb and lists of best practices out there for grantmakers. Yet, so many grantmakers seem to get caught in ruts of practice and policy that hold them back from achieving the effectiveness and impact they want to deliver. Here are five of the most common mistakes that I’ve seen through
5 Common Philanthropy Mistakes You Cannot Afford to Make Read More »
Did you know that donating to a good case can help your business? I was quoted in a recent Wall Street Journal article that highlights how small companies should give to charities. Here is a summary of what it recommends: 1. Connect your cause to your company — A pet supply company will gain more traction donating
Small Business Tips for Charitable Giving Read More »
I recently stayed at the Charles Hotel near Harvard Square, and was delighted to see the “Web Cube” on my hallway on my way to my room. It’s essentially a large closet with a desk, computer, printer and free internet access, available to all guests on the floor. I assume each floor has them. What
Improve Your Philanthropic “Customer Experience” Read More »
Foundations pride themselves on the good they do for others; that’s the very nature and culture of philanthropy. However, in my 15 years of experience advising foundations, I’ve found that most foundations suffer from delusional altruism. Delusional altruism is when you are genuinely trying to help people – but paying absolutely no attention to the
Delusional Altruism Read More »