AiP (International Association of Advisors in Philanthropy)’s Post

Read more below on how Gen Z is not just participating in philanthropy; they're revolutionizing it! This generation is poised to inherit and transform the philanthropic landscape, preferring meaningful connections and impactful solutions. As Lisa Greer and others note, it's not just about the money—it's about making a difference in unique and creative ways. Let's celebrate and support Gen Z's vision for a more inclusive, action-driven philanthropy. The future is bright, and together, we can make a difference. https://lnkd.in/guhtkry4

What assumptions underlie your #impactinvesting and/or #philanthropy strategies? When was the last time you examined those assumptions and brought them up to date? If just peering under the rug feels daunting, just think how much more effective your strategies could be after a comprehensive refresh!

📍 Have you ever wondered where the trust-based philanthropy movement originated? Trust-based philanthropy is associated with six grantmaking practices and a set of values. And the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project has done a good job of articulating them (Check out the 6 TBP Practices, link in comments). ⚡ A movement born out of a project ⚡ The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project (TBP) was born out of an initiative by The Whitman Institute, which listened to valuable feedback from its grantees. Together with the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation and the Headwaters Foundation, they embarked on a mission to translate these ideas and advice into tangible foundation practices. Pioneering institutions like the General Service Foundation, Durfee Foundation, and Satterberg Foundation also played a vital role in shaping the movement. 📐 While the ideas behind trust-based philanthropy are not new, the TBP Project played a crucial role in giving shape and form to a loosely defined set of principles and practices. It provided a platform for learning, sharing, and amplifying the examples of foundations that actively embraced these ideas. As word spread through various networks, more and more foundations got curious and joined the movement. Trust-based philanthropy is rapidly expanding across different geographies, with the TBP Project and the six pioneer foundations at its epicenter. 🌎 At Panas, we proudly consider ourselves part of this movement—a small but essential piece that drives foundations and other actors toward trust-based philanthropy practices. We are constantly learning about trust-based practices and we’re excited to share what we learn. We are researching foundations and other donors that have embarked on the long-term, systemic, culture-change work that characterizes trust-based philanthropy. Stay tuned for our next post to find out more! And if you know of foundations or individual donors “finding their legs” in all things TBP, we'd love to hear your examples in the comments below. Trust-Based Philanthropy Project Shaady Salehi Pia Infante

I keep re-reading this important piece on trust-based philanthropy from the Stanford Social Innovation Review. I am particularly inspired by the vision of philanthropy that gives us nonprofit leaders (particularly small or from marginalized groups) discretion and empowerment around capital funding. Not only does this model allow expert leaders to best use the funds as the landscape or project goals pivot quickly, but it reduces the time understaffed and overworked nonprofits spend applying through multiple portals, managing, reporting, and re-applying for grants seemingly endlessly. Even more eye-opening was the idea that the philanthropies themselves, also often understaffed, could save time and energy for their aministrators if they created fewer road blocks and restrictions, which would allow the philanthropy to focus on reaching further faster. Mostly, trust-based philanthropy means that the grantee-funder relationship becomes truly that: a *relationship* -- based on sharing of values around need and impact, celebrating results (even as they might diverge from an original project plan), and dreaming about impact together. Can you imagine such a world? In the Jewish philanthropic space? Are any of you seeing this?

"We use the word 'perpetuity' often in philanthropy. Doesn't the concept of 'perpetuity' seem like a luxury of the few? We are perpetuating holding onto things as they exist." This week, Lourdes Rodríguez, CEO at David Rockefeller Fund, cracked open a world of thought that I've been entertaining for the better part of three years. I've wrestled with the concept of perpetuity since entering philanthropy -- Does it not disincentive risk? Do we not need risk in spades when it comes to interrupting / solving seemingly intractable social problems? But this new lens, "perpetuity holding onto things as they exist"... it introduces a new line of thinking for me: Can philanthropy truly enable radical change when philanthropy itself is structured to "hold onto things as they exist?" How we are built informs how we speak, how we behave, what we believe. 'Perpetuity' must absolutely create blind-spots - gaps between the luxury of forever and the urgency of now. And yet, the power of forever ensures resources for future generations, for future crises, for new solutions. In a room filled with hard working, passionate, risk-tolerant, creative and equity-minded philanthropy leaders, whose work is enabled by the power of endowments, I felt so grateful that these ideas could be raised as provocations, not criticisms. This kind of dialogue is what creates the space and trust to reimagine the individual and collective impact of our sector. Special thanks to Confluence Philanthropy for bringing this community to Denver.

Philanthropy is not just about compassion but also courage. Fear often hampers well-intentioned efforts, holding back potential progress. Perhaps the most detrimental fear of all, the fear of failure, can paralyse philanthropists, preventing them from supporting innovative solutions. Failure should be embraced as a stepping stone to learning and perseverance, an integral part of the innovation process. As a proponent of moonshot philanthropy, I believe high-net-worth individuals aiming to make a significant positive impact with their donations should dream big, think creatively, and take risks to pursue their goals, no matter how ambitious. They must be bold and push the boundaries of what is possible to tackle pressing challenges with courage and conviction. So, what side are you on – caution or risk and why? Share your thoughts in the comments! #Philanthropy #MoonshotPhilanthropy

Last week, Global Fund for Children hosted a webinar, where team members shared the organization’s approach to flexible funding and how it is operationalized to support community-based organizations. During the Q&A session, two recurring questions emerged from the audience, revolving around risk and accountability—both critical issues in the realm of philanthropy and development. After the webinar, I took some time to reflect more deeply on these two concepts and below the outcome of my reflections : Risk presents both the potential for extraordinary discovery and, at times, unexpected challenges. At Global Fund for Children, we embrace calculated risks by investing in grassroots organizations that are often overlooked but brimming with transformative potential. By taking these risks, we have encountered inspiring community-based organizations making a tangible impact, and our support has allowed them to grow and amplify their reach within their communities. However, as with any risk, there are times when outcomes do not align with our mutual goals, and, on rare occasions, we have had to end partnerships. But we always learnt from the negative experience and became wiser in ensuring we identify the right organizations that truly need our support. It is important to approach risk with a balanced perspective. The possibility of negative outcomes should not overshadow the invaluable opportunities that arise from supporting innovative, community-driven work. If we allow the fear of setbacks to dictate our approach, we might miss out on discovering remarkable organizations and individuals doing incredible work on the ground. In this sense, risk becomes more than just a factor to manage; it is a pathway to uncovering new solutions and empowering changemakers who are reshaping their communities for the better. Accountability is another area in need of evolution within our sector. Traditional models often emphasize accountability to donors, which is, of course, necessary. However, there is an equally profound need to broaden this focus to include accountability to ourselves, to our team members, and, most importantly, to the communities we serve. Accountability should not be limited to a top-down directive; rather, it should be rooted in reciprocal relationships with the organizations and individuals we partner with, ensuring that their voices are heard and respected. Yesterday, at the African Philanthropy Forum Conference, philanthropist Lisa Issroff articulated this sentiment eloquently, stating, “It is high time we all held donors and philanthropists accountable.” This powerful statement underscores the idea that accountability should be a two-way street. Funders, too, must be open to feedback, committed to learning, and willing to adapt to the evolving needs of local organizations. Embracing this shift is essential to building a philanthropy sector that embodies true partnership, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.

In this recent post, FSG comments that many funders are moving beyond traditional grantmaking roles, and this can be particularly powerful within place-based approaches to philanthropy. FSG highlights three roles that foundations are particularly well suited to play when practicing place-based philanthropy: leveraging systems change approaches, supporting community-centric philanthropy, and enabling cross-sectoral collaboration. This piece provides practical suggestions for paradigm shifts and is worth the read for funders new to, or looking to strengthen, their place-based and systems-change approaches.

Today, I want to give a shout out to undersung heroes in philanthropy: the backbone teams of donor collaboratives. 👏🏽 👏🏽 One might imagine donor collaboratives as an “exclusive club” — a speakeasy where people with deep pockets go to chat about the “big bets” in which they are pooling money to invest. As the MEL partner for several donor collaboratives… that image is FAR from reality. Donor collaboratives, such as our clients like the The Audacious Project, The Families and Workers Fund, and Trust, Accountability and Inclusion Collaborative, are backed by teams of brilliant, passionate, hardworking people who are constantly grappling with the inherent tensions of being in the middle of donors and grantees. They are the “glue” holding initiatives together; the “bridge” connecting resources with communities; the “loom” weaving a cohesive strategy from distinct threads; the “container” holding space for shared learning and strategizing; the “megaphone” amplifying a shared vision; and so much more. To say MEL for donor collaboratives is complicated is an understatement — which is why it is one of Intention 2 Impact, Inc.'s favorite places to play. 😎 Shout out to our current and past donor collaborative partners who are seriously changing the game to make philanthropy a more equitable and effective vehicle for impact: Rachel Korberg, Jenny Weissbourd, João Martinho, Lucien Chan, Tanvi Monga, Michael Jarvis, and many more. Click the link in comments to read insights from our recent donor collaborative evaluation of the The Audacious Project in this article written by Executive Director Anna Verghese and featured in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Donor Collaborative blog.

To me, as the next generation actively involved in philanthropic efforts, it’s about far more than simply giving—it’s about fostering sustainable and meaningful change that empowers individuals and transforms communities long after the initial support has been provided. Philanthropy is the art of combining compassion with strategy, recognising that generosity alone isn’t enough; it must be paired with innovative approaches and deep engagement to create lasting impact. As the fourth generation of a family deeply invested in philanthropy, it’s about honouring the values and traditions established by previous generations, while also reimagining philanthropy in a way that addresses the complexities of today’s world. This requires balancing respect for the past with a forward-thinking mindset that seeks out new opportunities to make a difference. For me, philanthropy isn’t just about financial contributions; it’s about being hands-on, actively involved, and deeply invested in the success of the initiatives we support. It’s about leveraging resources, networks, and influence to create a ripple effect that touches as many lives as possible. True impact comes from thoughtful collaboration and forming partnerships with organisations and communities that share the same vision for a better future. As my late grandfather, Bertie Lubner, used to say, "To Give. To Love. To Live." These words encapsulate the essence of what philanthropy means to me—giving with love, living with purpose, and making a lasting difference. I believe we are the catalysts we require for the change we seek. I feel a profound sense of responsibility to ensure that philanthropy remains relevant, adaptable, and transformative. My goal is to approach it with intention and purpose, ensuring that every act of giving aligns with a long-term vision for empowerment and progress. Philanthropy, to me, is about creating a legacy of sustainable change that will continue to inspire and uplift now and in the future , for generations to come.