I wrote a few blogs on medium and LinkedIn last year after coming back into the non-profit sector on the back of a few years away (late 2023/early 2024)
I will write another post in the coming months to see if my thoughts have changed on this matter, but so far they are still humming the same tune and tapping the same annoying beat.
Philanthropy Today
I have some experience in grantmaking, although it has been quite a while since I last worked in that field. It wasn’t as far back as the Ice Age, but a few years have passed. I have fond memories of my time as a Community Champion and later as a program manager for the Fair Share program.
Unfortunately, when I was let go after spending several years working with an incredible community of passionate individuals full of ideas, I felt frustrated and disheartened that I had to find a new path.
I was deeply saddened, especially by the loss of community development services that held such significance for our community. Not just because I was leaving, but at the time we had a whole shake up of infrastructure support in the community development areas and it left the grant making process as a bit of a cold, unsupported experience.
The program worked to the extent that many were able to sustain their enterprises and activities, however the connection and language that philanthropy was built upon is something that needed further thought and coming back into the sector after a few years away, has helped me to understand this is still something that needs major attention.
I have come to realise that these two areas, in particular, are still very prevalent in today’s philanthropy sectors.
In the past month, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting numerous individuals who are deeply involved in the community. It has truly been heartening, enlightening, and yes, a bit overwhelming if I’m being completely honest. The amount of information I’ve absorbed to comprehend the intricate challenges stemming from the pursuit of social justice is truly inspiring. However, one thing is certain: there is an abundance of remarkable individuals out there who possess exceptional expertise and intelligence in their respective fields.
I’ve been thinking about what’s missing in our efforts to make a meaningful impact through philanthropy, and I believe it comes down to language and connection. It shouldn’t solely be the responsibility of experts in their respective fields, but rather a collective effort from individuals who can effectively communicate their stories in a way that resonates with both donors and recipients.
There are lots of theories around this already, I understand. Taking the time to understand these theories and digest them however, is another process to add to the list of many. It has helped me to understand the common themes and trends of issues arising.
But, HOW do we connect the RIGHT people together and at the RIGHT time using the RIGHT language?
Many of us are busy, pursuing our goals and topping up our knowledge banks to ensure we have our facts right — simply put. That is extremely important, of course.
I do not claim to have answers and I understand the importance of flexibility needed when working in these sectors. However, I have perspective and my philosophical thoughts are as follows:
Connectors such as Community Champions and organisers possess the remarkable skill of representing their communities in a broader sense. Moreover, they excel at captivating storytelling.
Developing a Universal Language is no easy feat. It may seem contradictory, but it is crucial if we want individuals to effectively convey their experiences and aspirations, regardless of their role as a donor, government official, or leader.
Therefore, it is imperative that we continue to explore innovative methods for our “storytellers” to express their narratives in a clear and concise manner.
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