The alarming paradox of leadership in philanthropy
We're spending too much time wooing donors and not enough time caring for our co-workers.
If you've been in fundraising — or a role that is fundraising-adjacent — for any amount of time, you probably know the etymological foundation of the word philanthropy.
Acts of love and care for fellow humans.
Giving to the needy.
Helping those who can't help themselves!!!!!
(I hope you read those descriptors with increasing levels of sarcasm — and if you're not, please go back and do so. Remember that I can be a very unserious person.)
In more recent years, the term has amassed scrutiny given its association primarily with wealthy, powerful, (usually) white people.
And does anyone else fondly remember when Vu Le unleashed chaos upon the world three years ago, and thereby broke Nonprofit LinkedIn™️ when he referred to philanthropy as often becoming "a hobby for the rich" on a webinar?
Fun times, people. FUN times.
This is not about that — but feel free to take a trip down memory lane once you're done reading this post.
No, what alarms me — especially through the lens of Oddball Leadership — is the lack of love, care, and support fundraising leaders possess for the people around them at their 9-to-5.
Let’s take a look at why.
