Donor Danger

I want to be good at what I do.Professionally this means I've spent a great deal of time exploring the fields of philanthropy and nonprofit leadership in an effort to understand best (and worst) practices. Being a good donor involves a lot more than the grants we issue, it relates more deeply to matters of intent, power, relationship, and ego.Many of my peers have given great advice, as have the charity leaders who have trusted me enough to be direct and honest (including three respected individuals who risked honesty at the Canadian Givers Roundtable last Friday). Trying to keep up with some of the diverse writing in the field and making my own observations along the way has given me a few starting points for how to support charities without harming them (or looking like a jerk).So here are a few thoughts on things that are dangerous to donors:-Being too rigorous: In an effort to gain as much understanding and information as possible to avoid weak grants there is a temptation to demand too much time, information, effort, and vulnerability from agencies. Using my head doesn't mean that every application has to be an airtight lock for success. Respect for charities means that we need to have clear criteria, understandable formats, and reasonable time frames. At some point every grant involves an element of risk.-Being too sympathetic: Even terrible charities can use present an appeal to the heart. I've come to refer to these approaches as "a sob story and a slideshow". It is difficult at times, particularly when there is an existing relationship, to turn down requests from people that are sincerely trying to do good; but if I don't use some critical discretion I can easily contribute to affirming people, projects, programs, or organizations that are really doing more harm than good, to the exclusion of far more effective possibilities.-Being an expert: As charities educate donors there is a risk of beginning to believe that we really understand the complexity and challenges of an issue or community when we really have only surface knowledge. I'm very vulnerable to this one. I hear it in myself when I speak like an authority on something based on a few conversations, a couple books, or a short time spent alongside the real workers. My role gives me a high level view of a wide range of organizations and their work, not a truly insightful perspective on the roots and responses to problems. To believe that I am expert in any, let alone all, of the areas in which we provide support is arrogant and stupid.-Being in control: Money is power. when so many charities are struggling financially they are susceptible to being influenced by donors to do things and make changes that are contrary to their intended mission and practice. There is a time for donors to act in a directive way, but it seems to happen too often and should be approached with explicit candour and caution. We must resist the temptation to treat grantmaking like a parent using an allowance to make a child clean their room.-Being validated: Every human being has areas of insecurity. Those with wealth are often able to mask it with performance or indulgence, and are rarely directly exposed. Giving can be a way to have other people tell us complimentary things and for us to feel that we are good, kind, important, significant, influential, and spiritually advanced. We need to make the effort to examine our own motives and find a few trusted people who will call us out when our generosity is really just a way of purchasing affirmation.-Being superior: While most donors I know would actively resist this characterization, it is a subtle and common temptation. Having the freedom to give or not give according to our own pleasure puts philanthropists in a position from which it is perilously easy to become condescending. True humility is difficult in any circumstance, but all the more for the wealthy. It's truly no wonder that Jesus said it is harder for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.I am truly grateful that this past weekend gave me the opportunity to interact with many other donors at the Canadian Givers Roundtable and the Stronger Together 2011 granting sessions. Their example and interaction forces me to look more closely at my own temptations and desire a more rooted, humble, and open handed approach.