Jeremy Gregg of Central Dallas Ministries takes up the challenge to map the philanthropic ecosystem in Dallas. Can we, once it has been mapped, then uplift the ecosystem so that all the creatures in it thrive? (No one really asks that question. The advisors compete for clients. The passionate donor complains her advisors don't get it. Each charity competes with every other for scarce funds. Many donors don't know the others donors who are funding similar efforts. Foundations keep one another mostly in the dark about what worked or didn't. So, we all accomplish less than we might if we paid attention not only to our own "win" but also to the overall health of the ecosystem in which we play our respective roles.)
You could also do, say, a Philanthromap of social change philanthropy in Dallas, or nationally, or of women's philanthropy in Dallas, or nationally, or whatever your locale and issue might be. In each case you could ask, what keeps this system from being optimal for all participants? Then you could ask, what can we do in concert with our natural allies, and friendly competitors, to move the system to a higher level?
- Can we do an educational and motivational event with our allies for donors?
- Can we do an event for the key advisors on our map?
- Can we help donors and advisors to partner for optimal outcomes?
- Can we promote best practices?
- Can we publicize successes?
- Can we hold up some advisor/donor/nonprofit/volunteer/activist partnerships as models?
- Who benefits? Who should sponsor? Who might ask them? Who might organize it?
Tracy Gary and I are developing materials to facilitate conversations like these. I hope they will work and spread virally. We are not trying to corner the market on generosity, but sincerely hope that a few simple ideas will spread around the giving space and help others to be more generous too. We all have a stake in the health of our communities. We should applaud giving even if we do not benefit specifically from this gift or that. The rising energy in the giving system can give us all hope. Call it democracy rising. Beware! It might prove contagious.
This reminds me of the "Get Mine" vs. "Grow Ours" - Two Responses to Scarcity that Arthur Brock started. One evening at STC, Arthur, Brandon and I had a religion discussion of sorts, and that idea as connected in the "Upward Spiral" film is central to Arthur's religious thinking.
I think I agree that finding a way for all-of-us to prosper is central to a way forward.
Posted by: Gerry | August 02, 2007 at 06:56 PM
Thanks, Gerry. Blogged it.
Posted by: Phil | August 02, 2007 at 07:11 PM