In this special feature series, contributors from across the philanthropic sector will identify the dominant narratives that underpin common practices, and explore interventions that can redesign philanthropy in ways that set us up to succeed.
The Myths of Philanthropy: What if we change the narratives that govern the philanthropic sector?
Mandy Van Deven introduces a new series of articles exploring the narratives that underpin common practices in the philanthropic sector, inviting us to unravel the myths that are limiting what we can achieve.
A path to repair: What if philanthropy wasn't about giving money away, but returning it?
Lisa Cowan argues that rather than thinking of themselves as strategic gatekeepers, grant-makers might think of themselves as creative stewards who are trying to get money back to its original owners.
Positioning and Repositioning: What if what we inherited doesn’t have to be the legacy we leave?
Setting up a foundation with inherited wealth led Louisa Mann to question many of the norms of philanthropy - and the wealth management system that underpins it. She shares how Thirty Percy and its partners began to imagine alternatives.
Spending stories: moving from perpetuity to purpose
Dimple Abichandani proposes a new narrative to guide foundation spending in this time of crisis - one that is based neither on arbitrary timeframes, nor on the insignificance of our giving, but on the purpose of the spending, and of philanthropy itself.
Leaning Into Abundance: What If Philanthropy’s Potential Wasn’t Limited by Manufactured Scarcity?
Zaineb Mohammed argues that a "scarcity mindset" is holding philanthropy back, and shares how the Kataly Foundation have designed their grant-making from a place of abundance.
If You Know You Know: What If Philanthropy is Mistaking Wealth for Expertise?
Whose Knowledge? calls for philanthropy to grapple with its historical conviction that certain ways of knowing and speaking are more valuable than others, and expand its understanding of who and what counts.
Reconsidering Our Relationship to Power: What If Philanthropy’s Greatest Resource Isn’t Financial but Relational Capital?
Tesmerelna Atsbeha shares the truths she has learned, as both a grant-maker and a funding recipient, about how to build and sustain relationships of shared power and purpose that move us toward the future we desire.
Change is a Process: What if philanthropy had the courage to take its cues from nature?
Inspired by nature’s ebb and flow, the Constellations Culture Change Fund set out to apply experimental practices that are critical for resourcing narrative change, write Erin Lynn Williams and Ilegvak.
Solidarity Leadership: What If Philanthropy Encouraged Collaboration Rather Than Competition?
The three co-founders of Closer Than You Think share what they learned about collaboration and competition as foundation leaders - and why these lessons are so important in a time of uncertainty and rapid change.
The Future is Ours to Make: What If Solidarity Was the Blueprint for Philanthropy?
All over the world, Black feminists are fighting to preserve hard won gains and freedoms. It’s time for more people in philanthropy to follow their lead by being equally visionary and creative in how we redistribute money, writes Vanessa Thomas.
The Myths of Philanthropy series is being published in collaboration with the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Elemental, and VITA.
More coming soon!
New articles in this series will be regularly published on the Funders Collaborative Hub between April and June 2025. Subscribe to the Hub newsletter for updates.
The Funders Collaborative Hub publishes a range of perspectives. The views expressed here are those of the authors, not necessarily those of ACF.
