Here are two uncomfortable power dynamics in philanthropy: Funding processes can be a kind of “Nonprofit Hunger Games” where frontline community organisations compete against each for favour and “the win.” The power to decide who wins usually sits squarely with funders, yet funders are rarely directly affected by key social issues. It doesn’t have to…
Continue reading →If you are involved in philanthropy in Aotearoa NZ and you haven’t yet registered for the fabulous biennial Philanthropy NZ Summit, May 18 – 20, there’s still time to do so. Here’s a very short movie I did for PNZ explaining why I think this is such a great conference. I will be there and…
Continue reading →If you are unsure how the philanthropic sector in Aotearoa NZ is organised and works, you are in good company. It is a bit confusing, even for those of us who work in it. Here is my take on the different kinds of philanthropic giving, including where the money comes from and how it operates,…
Continue reading →Looking for an inspiring read over the holidays? “Te Kai a te Rangatira – Leadership from the Māori world” is an extraordinary book, and is highly recommended. It shares the wisdom of over 100 rangatira from across Aotearoa, sometimes in English and sometimes in Te Reo Māori. Here’s a few quotes: You carry your thousand…
Continue reading →If you are like me, you want to be better informed about Aotearoa NZ’s history, but you learned little or nothing on the topic at school, and most of the very worthy NZ history books seem a bit big and daunting. But I have belatedly found a way to fill some of my knowledge gaps,…
Continue reading →Ending Homelessness – we thought it couldn’t be done. Then along came COVID-19, and, thanks to a significant collaborative effort, a large proportion of the homeless population had some kind of roof over their head at last. It wasn’t perfect, and it isn’t a permanent solution, but it happened. So how do we build from…
Continue reading →What happens at your organisation when you need a new board member? Maybe the conversation goes something like this: “How about John? He is very credible and knows a lot about our sector.” “Yeah maybe, but do we need another older white guy? How about Marama? She’s a dynamic young wahine who would bring some…
Continue reading →Funding agreements – those dry, unexciting documents which funders generally require to be signed before they will pay a grant, are badly in need of a rethink. This blog proposes that funders should instead adopt a Relationship Agreement approach, based on mutual responsibility and accountability. To get straight to the point: Here is a free Funding…
Continue reading →How should funders be supporting our communities in light of the Covid-19 pandemic? All of us will be affected, directly or indirectly. But the impact for families and communities already struggling with issues like homelessness, mental health, addictions, family violence and poverty will be especially challenging. So, it’s time to step up our support funders!…
Continue reading →It’s a new year and a new decade. So, philanthropic funders, what will our New Year’s resolutions be? Here are three suggestions: 1. Aim for Equity: Is our funding reaching the causes and people who need it most? Or do we give to organisations which are already well funded, and which serve communities that are…
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