The Rundown - Power Sharing in the Nonprofit World - May 5, 2023
The Relationship between Philanthropic Funders and Nonprofit Organizations is dynamic and needs to be treated as such.
Power Sharing - Putting the Pieces Together
If you have spend any time in philanthropy, it is easy to see how it has undergone some pretty significant changes in recent years. Perhaps the most fundamental being a growing emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Out of this idea is one concept that has gained increasing attention is power-sharing, the idea that philanthropic organizations should work to share power with the communities they serve. In the article "Power Sharing in Philanthropy: An Empty Buzzword, or Can It Work?" that can be found here, the author, Stephanie Beasley, explores the concept of power-sharing in philanthropy and its potential for impact.
Beasley begins by acknowledging the growing awareness among philanthropic organizations of the need for greater equity and inclusion. The author notes that many organizations have taken steps to increase diversity in their staff and boards, but argues that these efforts often fall short of true power-sharing. The author suggests that true power-sharing requires philanthropic organizations to relinquish some of their decision-making authority to the communities they serve.
Beasley then explores several examples of power-sharing in philanthropy, including the creation of participatory grantmaking programs and the use of community-led philanthropy models. These models aim to involve community members in the decision-making process, giving them a say in how philanthropic funds are allocated.
While the author acknowledges the potential benefits of power-sharing, they also express some skepticism about its effectiveness. The author notes that power-sharing can be difficult to implement in practice, as it requires philanthropic organizations to give up some of their control and influence and also points out that power-sharing can be slow and cumbersome, as it often involves a high degree of community engagement and consultation.
Despite these challenges, the article argues that power-sharing is an important concept for philanthropic organizations to embrace. It is suggested that power-sharing can lead to more effective and sustainable philanthropy by ensuring that community needs and perspectives are fully taken into account. Beasley also suggests that power-sharing can help philanthropic organizations build stronger relationships with the communities they serve, leading to greater trust and more meaningful impact.
Overall, the article offers a thoughtful exploration of the concept of power-sharing in philanthropy. The author presents a balanced view of the potential benefits and challenges of power-sharing, highlighting both its promise and its limitations. The author also offers several examples of power-sharing in practice, giving readers a sense of what this concept looks like in the real world.
However, the article could benefit from a more detailed analysis of the potential pitfalls of power-sharing. While Beasley acknowledges some of the challenges of power-sharing, such as the potential for slow decision-making and community fatigue, they do not explore the potential risks in depth. For example, power-sharing can be difficult to implement if community members lack the resources or expertise to participate fully in decision-making. Granted, there is a great deal of knowledge and wisdom in the lived experiences we are trying to serve in the sector, but there can be significant challenges to get marginalized individuals to actually participate.
Power-sharing can also be vulnerable to co-optation, as philanthropic organizations may seek to influence community decision-making to further their own interests. And nonprofit organizations must be comfortable with some level of co-optation. Entering into a relationship with a funder, must be based on mutual trust. Nonprofits and their funders must find agreed upon goals and objectives that both can acheive. Philanthropic organizations can’t simply see nonprofits as a means to achieve their own ends and nonprofits can’t look at funders as simply bank accounts to fund their efforts. There needs to be a humanizing and logical effort to understand and work towards a shared vision of the future that is beneficial for everyone.
Beasley’s article also does not explore the potential trade-offs of power-sharing. While power-sharing can help ensure that community needs and perspectives are fully taken into account, it can also lead to tensions between different community groups. For example, community members may have different priorities or opinions on how philanthropic funds should be allocated, leading to conflicts and disagreements.
Despite these limitations, the article offers a valuable contribution to the discussion of power-sharing in philanthropy. The author's nuanced exploration of the concept and its potential impact is informative and thought-provoking. The article is also well-written and engaging, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.
In conclusion, Beasley’s work is a valuable exploration of an important concept in the world of philanthropy. While the author's analysis could benefit from a more detailed consideration of the potential challenges and risks of power-sharing, the article provides a balanced and informative overview of the topic and should be required reading for anyone in the field.
The Weekly Notebook
A quick rundown of what I am seeing and hearing in the nonprofit world….
Now Hiring!
I have a nonprofit in Sidney, Ohio that has reached out to me looking for a new Executive Director. I can tell you that this a very strong organization that needs leadership that has strong entrepreneurial and staff management skills. If you have any interest, please drop me a line at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com and let’s talk!
The Mosaic Conference is Coming!
We are just a month out from the annual Mosaic Conference put on by the Paul G. Duke Foundation and Edison State Community College as part of their Graduate Academy for Community Leadership.
This year’s event will take place on Wednesday, May 24th and John Carreon, CEO and Partner of Advancement Experts will be keynote speaker.
You can leanr more and register here.
How Can We Work Together?
Did you know that Pinnacle Strategies works individually with nonprofit and public sector leaders to help them solve problems, achieve goals and gain confidence in their roles?
Why?
Because, this work is hard and it’s often a lonely road. Our nonprofit and public sector leaders need people that they can talk to to get solid advice and encouragement to do the work that is in front of them. If you feel that this can be of value to you, or a member of your team, please reach out to pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com and let’s talk.
Ready to Learn Something New?
One of the prettiest cities in the Midwest is Indianapolis and travelling there can open a perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills and meet new professionals in the field. I would encourage you to look at some of the offerings of The Fund Raising School at the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University’s campus in Indianapolis. The professional development school has great programming both on-line and in-person both in Indianapolis and at other sites across the country. Take a look at their course offerings here!
Online Learning Options from Texas A&M Announced
If travelling for professional development isn’t in the cards (or the budget), the Center for Nonprofits at Texas A&M University has some great offerings! I recently enrolled in one of their certificate programs and really enjoyed the online format and the online discussions that were developed. It was time and money well spent and I would highly recommend this program, especially for early or mid-career professionals. The next session begins in early February and you can learn more here!
Other Ways to Connect
Our coaching practice has openings and it has been a blast working with nonprofit leaders all across the country! If you are interested in working with me to get your nonprofit organization on a track to achieve the big missions you have, please reach out to me at pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com.
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