By Stephen Alexander and Corey Jannicelli, Exponent Philanthropy
Many young philanthropists ask themselves early on, Am I doing this right? It is understandable that emerging leaders may feel underprepared. They often are the youngest or newest member of a board or staff, sometimes just starting their professional journeys.
But something more powerful than age or experience is also at work: Almost to a fault—and, in our experience, without exception—young leaders in philanthropy approach their new positions with such deference—with such desire to add value and carry forward a legacy—that they humbly hesitate to contribute from the start, or to contribute confidently. Complex family dynamics can add additional hurdles.
If your organization is positioned to engage young leaders—or if you are a young leader yourself, your peers offer the following pointers for creating a welcoming space with opportunities to learn and build confidence.
Make Time for Meaningful Orientation
At the Donley Foundation, Executive Director Daphne Rowe created an intensive training program to onboard the next generation. “It was a detailed training,” says Jenny Donley, now a third-generation trustee. “We had assignments every few months, presented at board meetings, sat in on calls with the other next gen’ers, and, at the end, were tasked with making a discretionary grant.”
“I’ve been going on site visits with my dad,” says Sapphira Goradia, executive director of The Goradia Foundation in Houston. “It’s been so helpful to see what questions he asks from a business perspective. I think we better understand how we complement each other in this work.”
