Philanthropisms
Philanthropisms is the podcast that puts philanthropy in context. Through conversations with expert guests and deep dives into topics, host Rhodri Davies explores giving throughout history, the key trends shaping generosity around the world today and what the future might hold for philanthropy. Contact: rhodri@whyphilanthropymatters.com.
Philanthropisms
Jen Ford Reedy: What does it mean to be good at philanthropy?
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Rhodri Davies
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Season 1
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Episode 111
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On this episode we talk to Jen Ford Reedy, President of the Bush Foundation, about her new book "Please Be Good At Philanthropy" and why it is important for grantmakers to turn good intentions into clear strategy. Including:
- Who is the title of the book aimed at? I.e. Who needs to be “good at philanthropy”?
- What does it mean to be good at philanthropy?
- Are our current narratives about what counts as success and failure in philanthropy creating barriers?
- Why is it so important not to lose sight of generosity a a guiding principle when working in institutional philanthropy?
- What kinds of biases or mindsets do people bring to philanthropy when they come from other sectors?
- What does a funder need to figure out in order to connect what they are trying to achieve with what they should be doing?
- Do funders too often fall into the trap of narrowing their focus too much or too quickly? Why is this a problem?
- Why is giving up control so fundamental for philanthropy?
- Do foundations have to accept the need to make choices? And that those choices necessarily mean picking certain organizations and cause areas over others?
- Why is “main character syndrome” a big risk for philanthropy?
- Is there too much emphasis on “working in gaps”, when it would actually be better for funders to work in the same areas to some extent?
- What is the difference between a “good failure” and a “bad failure” in philanthropy, and how foundations ensure that they have more of the former than the latter?
- Are there just “different ways of doing philanthropy” that are equally valid, or are some ‘better’ or ‘worse’ than others?
- What value can a historical perspective bring for philanthropists, funders and non-profit professionals?
Further Resources:
- Please Be Good At Philanthropy launch page.
- Bush Foundation website
- Jen on LinkedIn
- Inside Philanthropy interview with Jen. ($)
- "A Foundation President on How Not to Be a Lousy Funder", Chronicle of Philanthropy ($)
- Philanthropisms episodes with Emily Teitsworth, Philippa Charles, Sonal Sachdev Patel, and a deep dive on the history of foundations.
- WPM long reads on trust-based philanthropy and the history of foundations