Comments for BIG Philanthropy http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com What will be philanthropy's "new story?" Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:46:46 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on The Charity vs. Philanthropy Debate: Flipping the Script by jimbcantrell http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/the-charity-vs-philanthropy-debate-flipping-the-script/#comment-37 jimbcantrell Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:46:46 +0000 http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/?p=7#comment-37 Change and charity - I can't argue with that. People should elaborate when they make the statement of philanthropy vs. charity. Undoubtedly they intended to equate charity with money handed essentially to pan handlers as opposed to the more *noble* philanthropic pursuits of building schools/educating, providing clean water and healthier standards of living, etc. Your point is well taken though – deal with the immediate short term issues while planning and acting to prevent them from continuing long term. By the way, cool blog layout, Jim – expressivearth.org Change and charity – I can’t argue with that. People should elaborate when they make the statement of philanthropy vs. charity. Undoubtedly they intended to equate charity with money handed essentially to pan handlers as opposed to the more *noble* philanthropic pursuits of building schools/educating, providing clean water and healthier standards of living, etc.

Your point is well taken though – deal with the immediate short term issues while planning and acting to prevent them from continuing long term.

By the way, cool blog layout,
Jim – expressivearth.org

]]> Comment on POWER SPEAKS, DIVERSITY LISTENS by 49Alnhgtlng http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/power-speaks-diversity-listens/#comment-36 49Alnhgtlng Sat, 20 Sep 2008 23:35:37 +0000 http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/?p=28#comment-36 I am not sold on the idea that diversity is the answer to our social ailments. Diversity seems to be the new buzz word. But what is the value of diversity? I don't think human diversity has proven itself. It something we have to live with, but If we are talking about cultural diversity, it should be obvious that not all cultural traits lead to the promise land; many a tradition are far better left in the historical closet. The question is: how can diversity help us see common struggles, provide clearer communication and build harmonious communities? We're all different, that's a given, but we have to move foward together. "We Cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them" A. Einstein I am not sold on the idea that diversity is the answer to our social ailments. Diversity seems to be the new buzz word. But what is the value of diversity? I don’t think human diversity has proven itself. It something we have to live with, but If we are talking about cultural diversity, it should be obvious that not all cultural traits lead to the promise land; many a tradition are far better left in the historical closet. The question is: how can diversity help us see common struggles, provide clearer communication and build harmonious communities? We’re all different, that’s a given, but we have to move foward together.

“We Cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them” A. Einstein

]]> Comment on About by 49Alnhgtlng http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/about/#comment-32 49Alnhgtlng Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:22:12 +0000 #comment-32 Yes it is unfortunate that people do not see the benefits of the arts. Not only are they are integral in providing problem solving skills but they help to open our eyes and teach us about balance, value, process and patience. The teach us about centrality, organization and the beauty of repetition. The arts are essential to communication and support commonalities within our communities. By becoming aware we understand our being, and our place in the environment. John Dewey called it Aesthetic Consummation, Maslow called it Self Actualization and Csikszentmihalyi calls it Flow. Yes it is unfortunate that people do not see the benefits of the arts. Not only are they are integral in providing problem solving skills but they help to open our eyes and teach us about balance, value, process and patience. The teach us about centrality, organization and the beauty of repetition. The arts are essential to communication and support commonalities within our communities. By becoming aware we understand our being, and our place in the environment. John Dewey called it Aesthetic Consummation, Maslow called it Self Actualization and Csikszentmihalyi calls it Flow.

]]> Comment on About by cjcallen http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/about/#comment-31 cjcallen Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:21:14 +0000 #comment-31 I could not agree with you more. The arts inspire and restore us and philanthropy should do more to support the arts than they currently do. I once tried to develop and arts and social change initiative but my colleagues in the field thought it "frivolous." Perhaps one day we won't have to fight so hard to make the case for funding the arts -- I sure hope so. What inspires me and keeps me going in this tough social change world: poetry and film. I could not agree with you more. The arts inspire and restore us and philanthropy should do more to support the arts than they currently do. I once tried to develop and arts and social change initiative but my colleagues in the field thought it “frivolous.” Perhaps one day we won’t have to fight so hard to make the case for funding the arts — I sure hope so. What inspires me and keeps me going in this tough social change world: poetry and film.

]]> Comment on About by 49Alnhgtlng http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/about/#comment-30 49Alnhgtlng Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:02:53 +0000 #comment-30 AS you say, Philanthropy is an art, but the arts have taken a back seat even within the philanthropic community. People would much rather give to health and human services, schools or churches. They are much more predictable. The arts are not. People are afraid of the arts becuase of the bad press it has received over the last few decades. The arts are about the unfamiliar, people don't like strange things. But, if people can get over their fear, they will find a much brighter tomorrow. They will be able to perceive and become much more aware of the ailments of society. AS you say, Philanthropy is an art, but the arts have taken a back seat even within the philanthropic community. People would much rather give to health and human services, schools or churches. They are much more predictable. The arts are not. People are afraid of the arts becuase of the bad press it has received over the last few decades. The arts are about the unfamiliar, people don’t like strange things.

But, if people can get over their fear, they will find a much brighter tomorrow. They will be able to perceive and become much more aware of the ailments of society.

]]> Comment on Dignified Philanthropy by cjcallen http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/dignified-philanthropy/#comment-23 cjcallen Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:19:56 +0000 http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-23 Hi there, thanks for your thoughtful and spot on comments. I agree that strategic philanthopy and dignified philanthropy are not mutually exclusive terms but rather part and parcel of the same package. I will check out this film and offer my two cents on the blog. I look forward to hearing more musings from folks out there about the concept and practice of reverentia in philanthropy today as well as its potential to shape its future. Hi there, thanks for your thoughtful and spot on comments.
I agree that strategic philanthopy and dignified philanthropy are not mutually exclusive terms but rather part and parcel of the same package.

I will check out this film and offer my two cents on the blog.

I look forward to hearing more musings from folks out there about the concept and practice of reverentia in philanthropy today as well as its potential to shape its future.

]]> Comment on Dignified Philanthropy by Bettina Gronblom Hammerich http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/dignified-philanthropy/#comment-22 Bettina Gronblom Hammerich Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:15:19 +0000 http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/?p=18#comment-22 Hi there! I agree that dignity and respect are a must for successful philanthropy and I like your expression “soul to role”. Like you I have undertaken various “due diligences” and one does sometimes feel that the “heart of the matter” is lost in all this “efficiency”. I am however quite keen on strategic philanthropy (albeit I probably have my own methodology and ideas) because I want to use it as a tool. I believe identifying passion and compassion correctly and working closely with donor and recipient, with dignity and respect going both ways, is in fact the way to be truly successful and achieve impact (apart from the fact that it is the only decent thing to). I stumbled upon an online film by Peter Brock, undergraduate student from Skidmore College. Peter’s film identifies some issues in philanthropy and international development. The film is an interview with young people in Sierra Leone and their opinion of international philanthropy. Some of the key issues brought up in the film and that I feel are important are, and that seem to reflect what you are saying are: •Respect and accountability is a two-way street •Dignity and personal involvement is key •We all share a common humanity. To see the film http://www.baibureh.org/. Looking forward to your further thoughts. (http://www.not-just-for-profit.com/blog) Hi there!
I agree that dignity and respect are a must for successful philanthropy and I like your expression “soul to role”. Like you I have undertaken various “due diligences” and one does sometimes feel that the “heart of the matter” is lost in all this “efficiency”. I am however quite keen on strategic philanthropy (albeit I probably have my own methodology and ideas) because I want to use it as a tool. I believe identifying passion and compassion correctly and working closely with donor and recipient, with dignity and respect going both ways, is in fact the way to be truly successful and achieve impact (apart from the fact that it is the only decent thing to).

I stumbled upon an online film by Peter Brock, undergraduate student from Skidmore College. Peter’s film identifies some issues in philanthropy and international development. The film is an interview with young people in Sierra Leone and their opinion of international philanthropy. Some of the key issues brought up in the film and that I feel are important are, and that seem to reflect what you are saying are:

•Respect and accountability is a two-way street
•Dignity and personal involvement is key
•We all share a common humanity.

To see the film http://www.baibureh.org/.

Looking forward to your further thoughts.

(http://www.not-just-for-profit.com/blog)

]]> Comment on PLEASE BLOG-Live from the COF Summit by lasagna http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/please-blog/#comment-16 lasagna Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:09:38 +0000 http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/?p=12#comment-16 Lasagna says : I absolutely agree with this ! Lasagna says : I absolutely agree with this !

]]> Comment on PLEASE BLOG-Live from the COF Summit by cjcallen http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/please-blog/#comment-11 cjcallen Tue, 06 May 2008 01:12:34 +0000 http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/?p=12#comment-11 I struggle with the phrase social justice philanthropy. Social justice is my goal, the reason I do my work. Philanthropy is our means, a tool to achieve our long-term goals. So what does "social justice philanthropy" mean? Is it a means or an end? I think we need to break out of what to me are 1960s frameworks--and say what we mean, tell the story of our generation in our own terms. We're going to build sustainability and justice and liberty -- and we're going to use a variety of tools. We're going to be smart, rigorous, serious, passionate, and honest. Let's work for substantive change, not just cultural symbols! I struggle with the phrase social justice philanthropy. Social justice is my goal, the reason I do my work. Philanthropy is our means, a tool to achieve our long-term goals. So what does “social justice philanthropy” mean? Is it a means or an end? I think we need to break out of what to me are 1960s frameworks–and say what we mean, tell the story of our generation in our own terms. We’re going to build sustainability and justice and liberty — and we’re going to use a variety of tools. We’re going to be smart, rigorous, serious, passionate, and honest. Let’s work for substantive change, not just cultural symbols!

]]> Comment on PLEASE BLOG-Live from the COF Summit by cjcallen http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/please-blog/#comment-10 cjcallen Tue, 06 May 2008 01:06:19 +0000 http://futurephilanthropy.wordpress.com/?p=12#comment-10 social justice philanthropy is about working for long-term strategic change, getting to the root of the problem, and working to fix it, even if the pay-off isn't quick or takes a long time to surface. social justice philanthropy is about working for long-term strategic change, getting to the root of the problem, and working to fix it, even if the pay-off isn’t quick or takes a long time to surface.

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