passion

Living in Truth

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By Andy Carroll, Exponent Philanthropy

The life of Martin Luther King, Jr. calls us to remember that truth can be found not only in grant evaluations and reports, not only in surveys and community assessments, or in the vast sets of data available to us as philanthropists.

Dr. King reminds us that truth can be found in our hearts.

Extraordinary people of conscience and commitment show us that essential truths exist, and that we can discern these truths through love and the sense of justice that resides deep within us. Dr. King wrote, “Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love.”

These moral leaders risk their personal safety, position, and life to uphold freedom, justice, and human rights—asserting that denial of these is wrong—in absolute terms. Their clear teachings and example are, I believe, even more essential and urgent in America now, when it is more and more difficult to believe in anything.

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The Pulse: Heart vs. Mind in Philanthropy—Not Either, but Both

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By Andy Carroll, Exponent Philanthropy

I regularly explore trends influencing philanthropy by spotlighting articles, reports, and essays in the media. I cast a wide net, venturing beyond philanthropy and traditional topics to consider a variety of ideas, innovations, debates, and critiques. Read previous posts in the series   

The recent decision by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to end its 8-year, $12 million effort to encourage donors to focus giving on high-performing charities has sparked renewed debate in philanthropy about whether foundations and donors should give using heart or mind to best achieve impact.

The “give using mind” movement, focused on performance measurement, has influenced discussion and practice, and inspired a loyal following. Yet it hasn’t caught on to the degree envisioned. Many thought leaders are seeing performance measurement as only one piece of a richer, more balanced mindset that draws on other human capacities crucial to impact.

Let’s explore what those who call for more balance in philanthropy have to say.

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Foundation Leadership: Mobilizing Support to Protect Public Health

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By Andy Carroll, ASF

One of ASF’s goals in developing a portrait of leadership in small foundations is to identify funders that provide leadership. The Sunflower Foundation in Kansas is one such leader in our field.

According to ASF’s research:

Small foundation leaders have passion and use their foundation’s freedom and access to become knowledgeable about issues they want to influence.

    Led by President and CEO Billie Hall, the Sunflower Foundation is dedicated to serving as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans. The foundation regularly monitors relevant health legislation in the state capitol.

Small foundation leaders take time to analyze the knowledge they gather to identify solutions and strategies.

    The Sunflower Foundation was aware that proposed legislation to ban smoking in public places enjoyed public support, but had long been blocked by powerful interest groups. The law’s passage would have huge positive impacts on health and could save millions of dollars in care. Sunflower commissioned a poll revealing that 71 percent of Kansas voters favored a state ban.

    The foundation considered its options and concluded that to break the impasse, it was necessary to organize a grassroots campaign to bring citizen support for a ban to lawmakers’ attention. With its ear to the ground, the foundation knew conditions were right for action.

Small foundation leaders develop a vision of the future and a roadmap for how to get there.

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Why I Signed The Giving Pledge

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By Edgar M. Bronfman, The Samuel Bronfman Foundation

I was recently asked to sign the Gates-Buffett Giving Pledge and I was happy to do so. In my statement on the Giving Pledge website, I speak about my choice to engage in philanthropy, and in particular why I choose to give to Jewish causes. Below is an excerpt from that statement:

“The Samuel Bronfman Foundation is named after my father as a gesture of respect to the business he created at The Seagram Company, and I now share the responsibilities of running the Foundation with my son, Adam. I am aware of the debt of gratitude I owe my father for now being in the position where I can help others, and I am grateful to my son for the vision he offers as to how we will continue to do so. It is joyful work, and part of a family legacy that I feel is both my obligation and privilege. I have never doubted that I must give, but rather the salient question was to what purpose. That purpose for me is the Jewish people.

Charitable giving ideally leads to opportunity. That opportunity is exactly what my grandfather sought when he came to Canada as a Russian Jewish immigrant. I often think of the dream he had, to create a better life for his family and live in a world where being Jewish did not mean living under constant threat and oppression. I am cognizant that my philanthropic work is the result of his bravery many years ago in traveling from an old world to a new one. It is a similar journey of expanded possibilities I hope to encourage for the Jewish people today.

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Leadership in Small Foundations

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By Andy Carroll, ASF

ASF is launching a Leadership Initiative.

Does it sound like it’s about being a trustee of a small foundation, or top executive? That is part of it. But our look at leadership is even bigger.

For one thing, we believe every individual working at a small foundation can lead, including founders, trustees, staff, family members, and advisors. We also believe that leadership can happen on an ongoing basis, or for brief periods of time—a month, a week, a day, or even in a moment.

And we believe foundation leadership isn’t about formal authority. When you think about it, a foundation large or small can’t make anyone do anything. And yet, a foundation can have huge influence. Foundations have the freedom to take risks, experiment, speak out, and address the toughest issues facing communities and society.

So ASF is asking fundamental questions: What is the essence of leadership? What does leadership mean in philanthropy? What does leadership mean for small foundations? How do small foundations provide leadership in communities, in their fields, and in society?

Why are we doing this?

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