Understanding Philanthropy
Hello everyone,
Happy November! I felt this month would be a good time to get you thinking about your leadership, your relationships, your impact as a leader and how well we understand philanthropy. I have created a written version of keynote speech I did on this topic. I hope you enjoy it this month and it challenges you into some uncomfortable questions.
Have a blessed month,
Jamie
Do We Understand Philanthropy Keynote Speech
I want to open with a quote by Robert M. Pirsig:
"Living solely for a future goal is shallow, for it's the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top."
This quote beautifully encapsulates our work in philanthropy. Our focus is on the journey along the sides of the mountain, not just reaching the summit. True fulfillment comes not from simply achieving goals but from the experiences and relationships that develop along the way—the places where life truly unfolds.Part 1: Philanthropy: The Journey to Something Deeper
To grasp the essence of our work, we must ask: What is philanthropy? In 1992, Ted Coppell posed this question to 50 individuals in Manhattan. Their answers ranged from the latest mutual fund to the study of a guy named Phil.
At its core, philanthropy is about loving people. It involves fostering meaningful relationships while journeying together toward something greater than ourselves. It manifests not only through financial contributions but also through volunteering and advocating for the causes we care about. Philanthropy transforms both the giver and the receiver, marking a journey of changing lives—including our own. This journey is where real change occurs because it is fundamentally about loving people.
Great leaders understand this. They know how to love through relationships that connect to something bigger than themselves. They embody patience, kindness, humility, honor, and a commitment to the well-being of those they lead. Intentionally or unintentionally they lead with a focus on philanthropy.
Is that you?Part 2: True Philanthropy Embraces Relationships as a Foundation of Social Change
In philanthropy, this love flows through relationships. Lasting change is built on these connections, which happen not at the peak but on the sides of the mountain.
In the nonprofit sector, we often get too focused on goals, metrics, and achievements, overshadowing the real value of connecting with people. Our volunteers, donors, staff, board members, and those we serve are more than statistics; they are individuals with stories, struggles, and dreams.
While I can meet someone's immediate needs, empowering them to change their lives—and influence others—requires seeing them as partners in a shared journey rather than mere accomplishments. Part 3: Significance or Significance: The Journey of Philanthropy
King Solomon wisely stated, "With success, my influence is limited; with significance, my influence is unlimited." This distinction is crucial.
Success is often measured by wins and losses and tends to be inward-focused. In contrast, significance is about the value we add to the lives of others and the ripple effect of that influence. It connects us to something larger than ourselves.
Success asks, "Did we reach our goal?" while significance asks, "Did it really matter?"
Success focuses on doing things for people; significance focuses on things through people.
In the nonprofit sector, there is pressure to prioritize metrics—attendance, hours of service, numbers of volunteers and donors, money in the door, people serviced and the list goes on and on. However, if we're not careful, we may overlook the real impact: the lives we touch, the relationships we build, and the journeys we share.
Our impact as nonprofit leaders is generational and always focused on potential of those we lead. Its defined by the significance of the relationships we cultivate. It's about recognizing that everyone involved—donors, volunteers, staff, board members, and those we serve—plays a vital role in the philanthropic journey lived on the sides of the mountain. Part 4: What's Your Organization's Focus?
Francis Bacon, the father of empiricism, once said, "A good question is one half of wisdom."
As we explore the difference between significance and success, we must ask ourselves:
What is our organization measuring? What do you pay most attention to?
Are we measuring indicators of success or capturing the journey toward significance?
Do we know if we add value to someone's life?
Did we help them add value to someone else's life?
Did our influence and relationships matter?
When we focus on significance, we transcend mere statistics and connects us back to the heart of philanthropy: the love of people through relationships toward something greater than ourselves.
All too often, our work gets reduced to metrics of success. We risk viewing ourselves and those we influence (our board, staff, donors, volunteers and those we serve) around us as mere producers or checklists, forgetting to ask what value we add to them.Part 5: What's Your Focus?
When we pause to reflect, we may uncover a more profound revelation: what we measure in our organizations often mirrors how we see ourselves. If I measure my worth by checklists and metrics, I may lose sight of the value I create with and for others. My leadership may become about success rather than significance.
This prompts a crucial evaluation: What kind of leader are you?
Are you brave enough to ask those you lead how they experience your leadership?
Is your leadership modest?
Is it humble and not self-seeking?
Is it patient?
Is it kind?
Is it focused on adding value to people?
Do your donors, volunteers, staff, and board members see you as their champion, willing to sacrifice for them?
Philanthropy is about loving people in relationships toward something larger than ourselves. Its outcome is significance—adding value to a person. The journey to the summit often unfolds on the sides of the mountain, where we find richness in shared relationships, engaging all that we are.
I challenge you to ask the hard questions. Success may bring momentary satisfaction, but significance is what you'll be remembered for; it's the foundation of lasting legacies.
Maybe the question to ask isn't "What is philanthropy?" but instead, it's "Do you care?"
