The charitable sector has grown rapidly over the past years. To keep up with the development, new foundations have to know how to continue moving efficiently, without being delayed in a culture that restrains its effectiveness. To guide and educate emerging foundations, below are philanthropy mistakes organizations make, and how they can avoid them.
Making the simple complex
Most organizations make what is simple, complex, instead of making what is complex become simple. Many boards believe that complexity leads to fairness, inclusion or stewardship, but it creates frustration and chaos. Foundations should consider if their approach benefits their operations, and not engage in something complex because another foundation is doing it.
Managing rather than governing
Foundations manage instead of govern. The responsibility of the board is governing. To avoid managing, foundations should let their employees handle their own jobs. They should avoid the micromanage employee leadership. The board should also avail their expertise, services, and wisdom whenever employees request.
Using the poverty mentality
Working with a poverty mentality refers to a foundation that does not invest in development. These lead to inhibition of the organization’s abilities and development. An organization with a lot of mentalities invests its time and money in technology, capacity, creativity, and training. These make their work intelligent and efficient, enabling them to properly serve the communities.
Failure to learn
The chance to broaden a person’s knowledge does not end with what they know. Foundations should consider all of their features that they would like to know. If the organization concentrates on a given area, they should get all the knowledge on it that could improve their work and effectiveness.
Misunderstanding the power dynamic
Power dynamics occurring between an organization and the charitable community makes them have different opinions. In this case, the board must assess all the ideas presented. They should build an environment that enables those with more knowledge about the community’s needs, to feel free and comfortable to share their ideas.
Failure to hold one another accountable
A board is created to ensure that one person’s will does not outweigh the group’s overall judgment. Nevertheless, decorum and politeness often stop them from tackling the conflict in a positive way. Foundations can avoid these by developing a strategy for airing differences as they arise.
Philanthropy Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
